June 26th, 2024

Moving objects precisely with sound

EPFL researchers use soundwaves for precise object manipulation, advancing drug delivery. Wave momentum shaping navigates objects in dynamic environments, offering noninvasive biomedical applications and potential for micro-level cell manipulation. Nature Physics publication showcases groundbreaking research.

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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.

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By @InDubioProRubio - 5 months
And every surface can be a speaker with lasers..
By @consultutah - 5 months
I'm actually more interested in doing this at the larger macro scale than the micro scale. Imagine the ability to lift heavy objects with only sound. Weight rooms would look entirely different :)
By @swayvil - 5 months
This strikes me as a good application for machine learning. Throw random waves at the object. Filter for useful movements.
By @dekhn - 5 months
Just saw one of these in the lab: https://www.beckman.com/liquid-handlers/echo-525 it costs half a mil
By @deeel - 5 months
One step closer to learning how they made the pyramids.
By @Optimal_Persona - 5 months
Nothing new, this has existed in my household for the last 20 odd years -

"Hey honey, move this thing over there. No, an inch and a half to the left. NOPE - back to the right a few mm, and forward a little. Yup - wait...just a little bit more. There, you've got it!"