Holographic acoustic elements for manipulation of levitated objects

Asier Marzo (), Sue Ann Seah, Bruce W. Drinkwater, Deepak Ranjan Sahoo, Benjamin Long and Sriram Subramanian
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Asier Marzo: Deparment of Mathematics and Computer Engineering, Public University of Navarre
Sue Ann Seah: Ultrahaptics Ltd, Engine Shed, Station Approach
Bruce W. Drinkwater: University of Bristol
Deepak Ranjan Sahoo: University of Sussex
Benjamin Long: Ultrahaptics Ltd, Engine Shed, Station Approach
Sriram Subramanian: University of Sussex

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Sound can levitate objects of different sizes and materials through air, water and tissue. This allows us to manipulate cells, liquids, compounds or living things without touching or contaminating them. However, acoustic levitation has required the targets to be enclosed with acoustic elements or had limited manoeuvrability. Here we optimize the phases used to drive an ultrasonic phased array and show that acoustic levitation can be employed to translate, rotate and manipulate particles using even a single-sided emitter. Furthermore, we introduce the holographic acoustic elements framework that permits the rapid generation of traps and provides a bridge between optical and acoustical trapping. Acoustic structures shaped as tweezers, twisters or bottles emerge as the optimum mechanisms for tractor beams or containerless transportation. Single-beam levitation could manipulate particles inside our body for applications in targeted drug delivery or acoustically controlled micro-machines that do not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging.

Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9661

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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9661

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