LogInResearchers managed to manipulate objects without touching them.
UPNA/NUP researchers developed a system that uses acoustic manipulation for assembling objects without physical contact. They generated acoustic fields that trap small particles, glue droplets, and elongated stick-like elements that can be manipulated and reoriented as they are levitated.
Existing systems of 'hands-on' manipulation are not as effective as the proposed tool as they make handling liquids, powders, and hot substances challenging and lead to cross-contamination.
LeviPrint solves these problems and allows threading through cavities and constructing inside the object. In their paper, the creators analyze different acoustic fields in terms of their capability to trap in position and orientation an elongated object, study the capabilities for dynamic orientation of elongated objects inside different acoustic levitators, and integrate an acoustic levitator, mechanical translator, and droplet injector to realize a working prototype.
The ability of LeviPrint to construct inside objects might be even more groundbreaking if the system can be used in healthcare in the future.
The paper will be presented at SIGGRAPH in August. You can check it out here. Also, don't forget to join our new Reddit page, our new Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, where we are sharing breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.