These drops of solution remain suspended for a long period of time, thanks to the vibrational force of sound waves that keep them stationary in an air column. Scientists have figured out how to use sound waves to levitate droplets of liquid. While the phenomenon is gee-whiz cool in its own right, the technique could lead to the development of new drugs that the body efficiently absorbs. The contraption consists of two small speakers that generate sound waves at frequencies slightly above the audible range, roughly 22 kilohertz. The speakers are aligned one above the other so that their sound waves interfere with each other and create what’s called a standing wave.
At points along the standing wave known as nodes, the acoustic pressure from the sound waves is sufficient to cancel out the effect of gravity, enabling light objects such as droplets of liquid to levitate when placed there, according to a press release from Argonne National Laboratory.
These drops of solution remain suspended for a long period of time, thanks to the vibrational force of sound waves that keep them stationary in an air column.
ReplyDeleteScientists have figured out how to use sound waves to levitate droplets of liquid. While the phenomenon is gee-whiz cool in its own right, the technique could lead to the development of new drugs that the body efficiently absorbs.
The contraption consists of two small speakers that generate sound waves at frequencies slightly above the audible range, roughly 22 kilohertz. The speakers are aligned one above the other so that their sound waves interfere with each other and create what’s called a standing wave.
At points along the standing wave known as nodes, the acoustic pressure from the sound waves is sufficient to cancel out the effect of gravity, enabling light objects such as droplets of liquid to levitate when placed there, according to a press release from Argonne National Laboratory.