Acoustic levitation uses strong acoustic waves to push particles from all directions and hold them in mid-air. It’s not as strong as magnetic levitation, which uses magnetic fields to suspend objects, but it can be used on all manner of materials from liquids to living things. Acoustic levitation uses ultrasound waves, which are beyond human hearing, to produce powerful force without harming the ears.
In the study, the scientists levitated several objects including water, coffee, paper, and even insects. TinyLev is capable of levitating objects over 2.2 g/cm3 density and 4 mm in diameter, consuming only 10 watts of input power. That leaves plenty of room for experimentation – a student or hobbyist who builds one of the levitators can have hours of fun trapping a wide variety of objects in midair. The levitator has potential for much more than just at-home or classroom experiments, however.
“Levitating samples in mid-air can improve diagnosis from blood samples and detection of the structure of molecules,” explained Dr. Asier Marzo of the University of Bristol’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. “Usually a sample on a microscope slide is illuminated with x-rays, lasers or another type of radiation so the reflected radiation can be analysed. However, no matter how transparent the microscope slide is, it will always interfere with the test. On the contrary, if the sample is levitated, all the reflections are going to be from the sample.”
TinyLev is not the first 3D printed levitation device we’ve seen – there’s even a 3D printer being made using ultrasonic manipulation properties – but you can easily build this one yourself. The frame of the levitator can be 3D printed in one piece, and the other components are inexpensive and easy to find. Instructions included as part of the research paper allow anyone to build their own levitation machine, opening up a new realm of scientific experimentation to the general public.
“Acoustic levitation has been explored in hundreds of studies for applications in pharmaceuticals, biology or biomaterials,” continued Dr. Marzo. “It holds the promise of supporting innovative and ground-breaking processes. However, historically levitators have been restricted to a small number of research labs because they needed to be custom-made, carefully tuned and required high-voltage. Now, not only scientists but also students can build their own levitator at home or school to experiment and try new applications of acoustic levitation.”
Authors of the study include Asier Marzo, Adrian Barnes and Bruce W. Drinkwater. Discuss in the Acoustic Levitator forum at 3DPB.com.
[Images: Marzo et al, Review of Scientific Instruments]