There were some other brands that tried it but the airflow is much weaker and has ozone problems. Maybe Ionic Breeze? It was a Sharper Image type product.

The Dysons do have regular bladed impellers in the base, but by expelling the air in a ring shape take advantage of viscosity to pull air around the ring for an added flow.

My main reason for preferring the Dyson type fan is the noise they make is a soothing white noise, instead of the helicopter-like beating noise the box fans make.