Moving objects precisely with sound

EPFL researchers have developed a groundbreaking method using soundwaves to precisely move floating objects, offering potential applications in targeted drug delivery. Unlike optical tweezers, which require controlled conditions, this new approach, called wave momentum shaping, can navigate objects in dynamic environments based solely on their position. The team successfully directed a floating ping-pong ball through an aquatic obstacle course using soundwaves and a camera-microphone setup. This technique, inspired by optical wavefront shaping, shows promise for biomedical applications due to sound's noninvasive nature. It could revolutionize drug delivery by targeting specific cells, aiding biological analysis, tissue engineering, and even 3D printing. The researchers aim to scale down their experiments to the micro-level using ultrasonic waves for cell manipulation. Published in Nature Physics, this research opens doors for precise object manipulation in various fields, potentially revolutionizing how we interact with and control objects using sound.