Levitation Device Lifts Up Building Materials To Make Construction Touch-Free

Building construction is taking on a new frontier: levitation. 

An acoustic levitating device, called LeviPrint, was designed by the Public University of Navarre in Spain by Asier Marzo. This machine creates specific sound waves to pick up components without having to touch them.   

The experiment was conducted on a much smaller scale than a full-sized building, using little sticks, glue, and resin to create the outline of a bridge.

The machine used its robotic arm and formed soundwaves to pick up the sticks for the bridge. It was able to rotate, flip, and manipulate glue and resin to add to the structure to keep it intact. 

LeviPrint operates at 40 kilohertz, which is almost double what humans can hear. When the soundwaves are formed, it creates a shape and the objects are then trapped in the waves, which allows them to transport these items around. Currently, the heaviest object it can lift is a three-inch piece of wood. 

One of the greatest advantages of using acoustic levitation is the reduction of cross-contamination between machines. It will also eliminate the need for machines to swap between different tools to handle specific objects. 

The team intends to keep enhancing LeviPrints’ capabilities and transform the building sector. But the project doesn’t end there—LeviPrint is also being developed for medical advancements.

The researchers are looking for a means to use its ability to manipulate liquid without making contact to accomplish the same within the human body, for instance by moving miniature cameras and medication inside one’s body. 

[via CNET and New Scientist, cover image via Upna Lab]