Manipulating Floating Objects with ‘Quantum Levitation’

The idea of floating objects that can be manipulated in mid-air has long been something left to science fiction, but the researchers at Tel-Aviv University have just shown off an amazing example of this called “Quantum Levitation”. We’re not only dealing with a floating object that can be moved to some small degree, but rather have one that can be turned on an angle and remain that way, or be pushed around a magnetic track where it won’t fall off.

I just made that sound underwhelming, but after watching the video, chances are you’ll be left impressed. The researchers start with a sapphire wafer and coat it with a ceramic material, which, at -185°C, conducts electricity without resistance, resulting in no energy loss. When cooled to this temperature, the object then “locks” itself to the magnetic field. Floating would imply an object with no holding characteristics, so the presenter is careful to refer to the process as “locking”.

Once in its locked state, the object can be moved around in any way you want. It can lay flat, be placed on an angle, and even remain in its same form if turned upside down. In the example, a circular table with a magnetic track is used, where the object is placed down and then pushed to rotate around it, without falling off or changing its orientation.

The video has to be seen to be believed. I am not sure what the applications would be for this in the real-world, but I am sure someone will find one somewhere. It’s too cool (no pun) to ignore.