Ep 6. Acoustic Levitation

Impossible Science season 1 episode 6, titled Acoustic Levitation, explores an exciting phenomenon in which sound waves are used to levitate small objects. Host Jason Latimer, a magician and science enthusiast, dives into this fascinating field of study and consults with experts to understand how acoustic levitation works and what it can be used for.

The episode begins with Latimer visiting Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, where researcher Bruce Warmack demonstrates the basics of acoustic levitation. By using an array of speakers to generate specific sound waves, Warmack is able to manipulate tiny balls of polystyrene and even a live insect into mid-air. Latimer is amazed by this apparent defiance of gravity and eager to learn more.

Next, Latimer visits the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to meet with professor of mechanical engineering Nicholas Fang. Fang specializes in using acoustic levitation for medical applications, such as target drug delivery and even performing surgery without incisions. He explains that the sound waves used in acoustic levitation create pressure nodes and anti-nodes, which can be precisely targeted to manipulate objects in three-dimensional space.

Latimer is intrigued by the potential of this technology and decides to conduct his own experiment. He visits a toy store and purchases a miniature skateboard, which he suspends in mid-air using acoustic levitation. He then challenges skateboarder Chris Cole to perform a trick on the levitating board, creating a thrilling visual spectacle.

In addition to its medical and entertainment applications, acoustic levitation also has implications for materials science. Latimer visits a lab at the University of Nottingham in England, where researchers are using acoustic levitation to study the behavior of liquids and crystals in microgravity. By levitating droplets of liquid and measuring their properties, they hope to gain insight into how certain materials behave in space.

Finally, Latimer takes acoustic levitation to the extreme by attempting to levitate a human being. He consults with Dustin Skye, a performer and stuntman who specializes in aerial acrobatics, to help him design a rig that will allow him to float in mid-air using only sound waves. The resulting stunt is both daring and mesmerizing, as Latimer hovers several feet off the ground while his team adjusts the speakers to keep him stable.

Overall, Acoustic Levitation is an engaging and informative episode that showcases the incredible potential of this cutting-edge technology. Through interviews with experts and hands-on experiments, Latimer brings the science of acoustic levitation to life and demonstrates its many applications across different fields. Whether you're a science buff or simply curious about the possibilities of levitation, this episode is sure to captivate and inspire.