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"Acoustic levitation," the ability to move particles using only sound waves, has been explored by researchers for years, but until now it has only been able to move small objects along one axis at a time.
In a study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers dubbed their technique "holographic acoustic tweezers" in homage to its likely use cases. They say their device could be used to manipulate tiny biomedical devices inside the human body without invasive surgery or to do advanced manufacturing at incredibly small scales.
When a normal sound wave is produced, it has peaks and valleys. If you imagine a particle riding along that wave, it would ride along the peaks and valleys from point A to point B. A standing wave, by contrast, is produced when a wave is reflected off of something back toward itself, or is offset by a second wave.
Comment: More evidence that many of science's models need revising:
- Observations of young stars are overturning theories of planet formation
- Fast growing black hole defies the laws of physics
- Mystery particle: Impossible cosmic rays are shooting out of Antarctica
- Researchers cool object beyond limits of known physics
- Can the laws of physics be changing?
Also check out SOTT radio's: Behind the Headlines: The Electric Universe - An interview with Wallace Thornhill