During the spring semester of 2019, I took an honors calculus-based physics class. Part of the curriculum was to do my own physics project. I saw several acoustic levitators online and decided I wanted to replicate one. I received a grant from Penn State University to build my very own acoustic levitator.
Acoustic levitation is a fascinating technique that uses sound waves to suspend and manipulate objects in mid-air. It works on the principle of acoustic radiation force and the interaction between sound waves and matter.
The process involves creating a standing wave pattern in a medium, such as air or water, using ultrasonic sound waves. Ultrasonic waves are sound waves with frequencies above the range of human hearing, typically above 20,000 hertz. The standing wave pattern is created by two or more ultrasonic transducers that emit sound waves at the same frequency and interfere constructively and destructively with each other, forming areas of high and low pressure.
When an object is placed at a certain location within the standing wave pattern, it experiences a force known as the acoustic radiation force. This force arises from the pressure variations in the sound waves. The object tends to move towards the areas of lower pressure or stable points in the standing wave pattern. By precisely controlling the phase and amplitude of the sound waves, researchers can adjust the position of the stable points and manipulate the object's position.
Acoustic levitation can be used to suspend and move small objects, such as droplets of liquid or small particles, without any physical contact. It has been employed in various applications, including scientific research, material handling, and even levitating small living organisms for study. However, the size and weight of the objects that can be levitated depend on factors such as the frequency and intensity of the sound waves and the properties of the medium in which levitation is attempted.
I got the original design from www.instructables.com/id/Acoustic-Levitator
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