The Rest Is Science Could Sound Make You Levitate?
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Jan 8, 2026 Explore the captivating world of acoustic levitation, where sound waves make objects float effortlessly. Discover how wave interference creates stable points in space and the limits of tuning frequencies. Hannah and Michael dive into practical applications, from NASA's simulations of microgravity to medical uses like targeted drug delivery. They also imagine whimsical inventions and tackle listener questions, including human speed compared to sharks. Join them for a delightful blend of science and imagination!
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Hand-Sized Acoustic Levitator Demo
- Hannah Fry brought a hand-sized acoustic levitator to demonstrate levitation with sound waves.
- She credits a Cambridge colleague, Matthew Nethercote, for the device and the 3D-printed box design.
How Sound Forms Levitating Air Cages
- Sound waves can be tuned to create regions where vibrations cancel and air is still, forming stable levitation 'cells'.
- Precise frequency and phasing let compressed and rarefied regions trap lightweight objects in midair.
Don't Try To Levitate People With Sound
- Don’t attempt acoustic levitation at human scale due to extreme loudness and harm.
- Scaling up would require millions of transducers and produce dangerous decibel levels risking organ damage.