Quantum force manipulated to levitate objects
By George Gardner
Physicists at the oldest university in Scotland are discovering new ways to levitate objects using a quantum force known as ‘Casimir force.’
Physicists at the University of St. Andrews (logo shown) were said to create “incredible levitation effects” by reversing a phenomenon known as Casimir force. The scientists plan to use this method to solve the problem of sticking objects in existing nanomachines.
Objects in nanomachines suffer from sticking due to Casimir force, which is a force that draws two objects together in a vacuum due to the resonance of all-pervasive energy fields in the space between the objects.
However, Professor Ulf Leonhardt and Dr Thomas Philbin of the University’s School of Physics & Astronomy believe they’ve found a way for the two objects to repel each other rather than attract in a vacuum.
“The Casimir force is the ultimate cause of friction in the nano-world, in particular in some microelectromechanical systems. Such systems already play an important role - for example tiny mechanical devices which triggers a car airbag to inflate or those which power tiny `lab on chip’ devices used for drugs testing or chemical analysis,” Professor Leonhardt explained. “Micro or nano machines could run smoother and with less or no friction at all if one can manipulate the force.”
The two men used a specially developed lens, placed between two objects, to allow the reversal of the Casimir effect, thereby producing a repulsion between the two objects and allowing for very neat levitation effects.
The Casimir effect increases in strength only when objects near each other on an extremely small scale. Levitating cars and humans using a technology like this, though it be possible in theory, is said to be a long way off.
“At the moment, in practice it is only going to be possible for micro-objects with the current technology, since this quantum force is small and acts only at short ranges. For now, human levitation remains the subject of cartoons, fairytales and tales of the paranormal,” explained Professor Leonhardt.
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