October 28, 2015

Researchers create sonic tractor to lift, move objects mid-air

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Wednesday 28 Oct 2015 - 12:42 Makkah mean time-15-1-1437

Falmer, England (IINA) - Researchers from the University of Sussex have recently unveiled the first-ever sonic tractor beam, capable of lifting and moving objects using only sound waves, UPI reported.
The newly disclosed tractor beam uses small, specially arranged speakers to move a tiny ball made of polystyrene. A collection of 64 mini loudspeakers creates columns of dense sound waves. These sonic columns establish a sort of force field that traps the ball in the air. By changing the levels and distribution of the high-pitched and high-intensity sound waves, the device can control the movements of the ball mid-air.
"In our device we manipulate objects in mid-air and seemingly defy gravity," said Sriram Subramanian, a researcher at the University of Sussex. "We can individually control dozens of loudspeakers to tell us an optimal solution to generate an acoustic hologram that can manipulate multiple objects in real-time without contact".
Researchers say the technology could potentially be used to deliver medical therapies. For example, sound waves could maneuver a drug capsule through soft tissue.
AG/IINA

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