Three Dimensional Mid-Air Acoustic Manipulations

The video shows different low density and small objects suspended and moving in mid-air. Researchers from the University of Tokyo were the one responsible for this latest work. Using the concept of sound waves, they were able to levitate and control the movement of the particles. Although the concept of making objects levitate using acoustics is not new, making them suspended and move in three dimensions in mid-air is the new thing here.

They were able to do the three dimensional movements by arranging the four speakers facing each other and creating an ultrasonic focal point on arbitrary point in space. This focal point can move in space by adjusting the output of the speakers and the particle trapped inside this focal point moves along with it. The presence of the standing waves coming from the speakers produces suspending force that allows the particles trapped inside the nodes of these standing waves to levitate and move in mid-air.

             












            This latest work from the researchers of University of Tokyo has a lot of potential in different fields of science and technology. A good example is the application of this technology to the transportation industry like building a hover-board or even a flying car.