Acoustic levitation is a fascinating phenomenon in which small objects, like the Styrofoam balls seen here, are levitated by a standing acoustic wave. In this image, a color schlieren system Keep reading
Tag: acoustic levitation
Creating Star Wars-Like Volumetric Displays
Despite their ubiquity in science fiction, volumetric displays — three-dimensional displays visible from any angle — have been tough to create in real life. But a team from the University Keep reading
Sonic Tractor Beam
Acoustic levitation uses the radiation forces generated by sound waves to trap small, lightweight particles at the nodes of standing waves. We’ve seen this a number of times previously, both Keep reading
Levitating with Sound
Sound can manipulate fluids in fascinating ways, from levitation to vibration. Here researchers use sound to levitate and manipulate droplets and turn them into bubbles. Increasing the acoustic pressure on Keep reading
Manipulating Droplets Remotely
Using acoustic levitation and an array of carefully-placed speakers, researchers can manipulate droplets without touching them. This lets scientists study the physics of droplet coalescence (top) without interference from solid Keep reading
Catching Particles with Sound
Acoustic levitation traps particles using specially shaped sound waves, but, thus far, it’s only been useful for small particles. One common method of trapping forms the sound waves into a Keep reading
DIY Acoustic Levitation
Acoustic levitation is a technique where multiple speakers are positioned to create standing waves that can levitate small objects using sound. It’s even possible to manipulate the levitating objects in Keep reading
Acoustic Levitation
Destin from Smarter Every Day has a great new video exploring acoustic levitation. With carefully placed speakers, you can create a standing wave with sound that’s capable of levitating lightweight objects Keep reading
Acoustic Levitation in Three Dimensions
Acoustic sound is a form of pressure wave propagating through air or another fluid. Place a speaker opposite a plate, and its sound will reflect off the surface. The original Keep reading
Shaping and Levitating Droplets
Opposing ultrasonic speakers can be used to trap and levitate droplets against gravity using acoustic pressure. Changes to field strength can do things like bring separate objects together or flatten droplets. Keep reading