Understanding
Levitation Technology

AcoustoFab’s levitation technology uses a custom-built array of ultrasonic transducers, which are precisely controlled to create acoustic holograms. By algorithmically adjusting the timing of each transducer, we generate patterns that enable the contact-free manipulation of small solids and liquids with precision and speed, revolutionising sorting, handling, and processing across industries.

Levitation Redefined through Holography

At the heart of our technology lies acoustic holography—a method of creating 3D sound patterns that can precisely manipulate objects. Just as visual holograms use light to form 3D images, acoustic holography uses sound waves to shape ‘fields’ in the air or liquid. By carefully calculating how sound waves interact, we create custom pressure zones that can move, hold, or sort small solids and liquids without contact. Our computational solutions leverage phase retrieval algorithms to design these holograms, enabling us to adapt and fine-tune the technology for a wide range of applications with unmatched precision.

acoustic-levitation-technology

Levitation by Sound:
The Science Behind Object Movement

Sound levitation uses the pressure delivered by multiple ultrasound speakers. Like waves in the sea, the pressure from 2 speakers can add together (i.e, helping create a higher wave) or cancel each other. Controlling the contribution of each of our speakers we can create areas of high pressure, areas of no pressure, or areas of no pressure surrounded by high pressure (i.e., like a pressure “cage”) that allow us to trap objects inside them.

  • From a holography perspective, this involves solving complex computational challenges to design and create these 3D patterns. The 'magic sauce' lies in how we program our custom-built transducer array to dynamically generate these patterns at high speed and in different locations.

    Unlike magnetic levitation, which can only be used with ferromagnetic materials, sound levitation directly relies on delivering mechanical pressure on the surface of the material, making it versatile for manipulating both solids and liquids of varying shape, size and density. This technology’s precision, material versatility and non-invasive nature make it ideal for delicate tasks across industries.

Our Research

AcoustoFab’s pioneering research includes the first demonstration of an acoustic tractor beam (Nature Comms, 2015) and high performance computation of such sound fields for one (Nature, 2019) or multiple points (SIGGRAPH’ 2020). Our founders real-time boundary element method (BEM) solver (Science Advances, 2022) overcomes previous limitations, enabling precise, high-performance operation in environments containing external objects, such as imaging, liquid dispensing or other devices.

What’s Possible Today?

AcoustoFab’s sound-based levitation handles diverse materials, from light liquids to dense solids like mercury and diamond, in sizes from sub-millimetres to centimetres. Our technology enables simultaneous levitation at varied speeds and scales, transforming materials science, biotechnology, and manufacturing. Watch our videos to see it in action.

acoustic levitation technology applications

Levitation Through Sound: Cutting-Edge Applications

AcoustoFab’s sound levitation drives innovation across industries. In lab automation, it enables contamination-free sample prep and real-time mid-air analysis. In 3D printing, it achieves precise component placement and tailored textures for aerospace and automotive. In agritech, it improves non-contact seed sorting, enhancing quality and reducing waste. Fully programmable, our solutions ensure damage-free handling and high accuracy for advanced industries.

Capabilities

  • Micro to Macro Handling

    Capable of levitating particles from sub-millimetre to centimetre scales, accommodating a wide range of material sizes and densities.

  • Contactless Handling

    We shape air pressure to levitate and manipulate matter without contact, thus preventing contamination, absorption, and surface interactions.

  • Material Versatility

    Handles diverse materials, including liquids (water, oil, mercury) and solids (polystyrene, diamond), allowing for flexibility across applications.

  • High-speed, Multipoint & 3D Control

    Our software enables high-speed, 3D control of multiple levitated objects, greatly increasing throughput and automating tasks that once required bulky mechanical robots.

  • Merging

    We can accurately merge liquid materials together in mid-air, precisely combining both liquid droplets and solid particles of different sizes.

  • Mixing

    By inducing resonance in droplets, we can dramatically increase the mixing rate when combining different materials.

  • Droplet Ejection

    Acoustic droplet ejection has revolutionised liquid handling precision in lab automation over recent years. We can directly eject droplets directly using our device by focusing energy on a liquid surface.

  • Deposition & 3D Printing

    We can precisely deposit levitated materials on any surface, from any direction. As we can do this with virtually any material, this opens up entirely new paradigms in 3D printing.

  • Evaporation

    We can evaporate samples allowing a range of mid-air chemistry capabilities such as titration, forming super-saturations, amorphous crystallisation and producing unique solid-state forms of pharmaceuticals.

  • Micro-Bubble Generation

    Our technology can create micro-bubbles below the surface of liquids or gels, with applications across 3D printing, food and biochemistry sectors.

  • Encapsulation

    By encapsulating liquids and solids in mid-air, we can prevent evaporation where needed and preserve active ingredients or cells.

  • Atomisation

    By changing the strength of acoustic traps, we can atomise liquids instantly in mid-air.

  • Industry-Specific Customisation

    Adaptable and retrofittable levitators with no moving parts suitable for agritech, pharmaceuticals, waste sorting, and 3D printing, ensuring optimal performance for specialised needs.

How Acoustic Levitation Works

Acoustic levitation can operate in two powerful modes to levitate and manipulate objects. In one mode, standing sound waves are generated by ultrasonic transducers to create areas of high and low pressure. Particles settle into the low-pressure nodes where upward acoustic forces counteract gravity, stabilising the particles without physical contact.

In a more advanced mode, multiple emitters work together to generate an acoustic trap, where focused sound waves form a low-pressure area surrounded by high pressure. This acoustic trap is controlled electronically, allowing us to precisely position and move particles. As sound waves bounce off objects in the environment, they alter the path length and acoustic phase, but AcoustoFab’s algorithms account for these changes, adjusting the sound field in real time.

  • Through a closed-loop system, with cameras and machine vision tracking the position of the levitated objects, we can dynamically adjust the acoustic field to control each particle’s movement. For example, by controlling the field's intensity, we can increase or decrease acceleration based on the object’s size and density, keeping it stable within the trap. This precision enables unique applications, such as propelling a liquid droplet to mimic inkjet printing or creating an ‘invisible pen tip’ to precisely eject a defective seed. With rapid switching of forces, AcoustoFab’s technology enables a wide range of manipulations, from gentle handling to high-speed ejection, opening up revolutionary possibilities across industries.

Our Tech Platform

AcoustoFab’s platform integrates acoustic levitation into a seamless, user-friendly system designed for flexibility and precision. With an intuitive interface, users can easily control and customise levitation settings, adjusting parameters such as force, positioning, and trajectory to match specific application needs. Our platform is compatible with existing automation setups, allowing straightforward integration into various industries—from agritech to advanced manufacturing. Tailored for adaptability, it offers customisable modules and settings that empower clients to fine-tune their processes, whether handling delicate materials, enhancing sorting accuracy, or achieving precise component placement. This cohesive, customisable approach simplifies acoustic levitation, making high-performance, contact-free manipulation accessible across complex environments.

FAQs

  • AcoustoFab’s platform can levitate a diverse array of materials, including liquids such as water, oil, and mercury, as well as solids like polystyrene, glass, and diamond. This versatility allows for effective manipulation of particles from sub-millimetre to centimetre sizes, making it suitable for multiple applications.

  • AcoustoFab employs multiple ultrasonic transducers to generate focused sound waves that form an acoustic trap—an area of low pressure surrounded by high pressure. This trap enables stable levitation by precisely positioning particles in low-pressure nodes, allowing them to be suspended without contact.

  • Acoustic levitation offers several advantages over traditional manipulation methods, including contact-free handling, which reduces contamination risks and prevents damage to delicate materials. It also allows for precise and rapid control over object movement and positioning, making it ideal for applications in sensitive environments such as pharmaceuticals, lab automation, and advanced manufacturing.

Ready to Explore the Future of Contact-Free Manipulation and Precision Handling?

Reach out to AcoustoFab today for more information, partnership opportunities, or to schedule a demo. Our team of experts is here to assist you with any product inquiries and help you unlock the full potential of our innovative technology.