Most ion lifters are variations of the typical triangle shape. This configuration is a lot different and uses an interesting approach to create lift.
It accelerates air sideways instead of down. As the air rushes out of the cavities towards the collectors, it leaves a low pressure region inside each cell. Air above each cell rushes down into the lower pressure region to equalize the differential (as it can't come from the side or below as these regions are blocked). The cells continuously accelerate the air out, so the low pressure region stays constant.
The higher pressure under the assembly pushes the whole thing upwards as the cell above it is a lower pressure.
Of course, the walls and stuff of the assembly need to be super lightweight and have a high dielectric coefficient. I am going to build it but thought I would throw it out there!