Cleveland Startup Uses NASA-Inspired Sound Waves to Extinguish Fires Without Water

Published: Aug 17, 2026 - 10:17 p.m.

By Peter Lewis

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CLEVELAND, OH — A local company is pioneering a new method for extinguishing fires, swapping traditional water and chemical foam for NASA-inspired sound wave technology. From its facility on West 41st Street, Sonic Fire Tech, founded in 2019, is developing systems that use acoustic energy to suppress flames in seconds. The company's technology is rooted in research from the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Founder and aerospace engineer Geoff Bruder collaborated with acoustic specialists to overcome a long-standing obstacle in sound-based fire suppression. Early concepts required audible sound waves so powerful they posed a risk of permanent hearing damage. Sonic Fire Tech's breakthrough involves proprietary acoustic generators that operate in the infrasonic spectrum, using frequencies below 20 hertz that are inaudible to the human ear. The system works by targeting the chemical reaction of a fire, often called the fire triangle, which consists of heat, fuel, and oxygen. Instead of cooling the fuel or smothering it, the device creates high-velocity air disturbances. These low-frequency waves cause oxygen molecules around a flame to oscillate too quickly for the combustion process to use them, effectively starving the fire of oxygen at a molecular level. Sonic Fire Tech has engineered the technology for various applications, including a whole-structure system designed to be installed within attic or ceiling ductwork. This eliminates the need for complex and vulnerable plumbing. The system uses integrated sensors with computer vision and machine learning to identify a fire from up to 30 feet away, and can reportedly distinguish between a decorative candle and a genuine threat before deploying. The company has leveraged Northeast Ohio's industrial resources, utilizing local machine shops and the expertise of former NASA contractors to refine its designs. This regional focus helped the firm secure $3.5 million in seed funding. Key investors include the Ohio Third Frontier program, through the Innovation Fund at the Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise, as well as Khosla Ventures, The O.H.I.O. Fund, and Hillside Ventures. Beyond local development, the Cleveland-based technology is being explored for real-world application in the wildfire-prone regions of the West Coast. Major utilities, including Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric, are investigating the system to help protect the electrical grid. The company has also created backpack units and perimeter arrays to intercept airborne embers, and currently holds patents for its core technologies. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.