In a recent breakthrough poised to advance the fields of haptics and contactless manipulation, researchers from the University of Chicago have developed a novel method to improve the stability of levitated objects in ultrasonic fields. The technique, reported in an article titled “Midair haptics gets boost with steadier ultrasonic levitation” on Tech Xplore, offers a way to suppress unwanted movement of suspended particles, overcoming a longstanding barrier in acoustic levitation technology.
Acoustic levitation, which uses focused sound waves to hold small objects in midair, has garnered interest for its potential in applications ranging from touchless medical procedures to immersive virtual reality experiences. However, it has historically struggled with instability; even minor disturbances often cause the levitated object to wobble or fall. To address this, the research team, led by physicist Assoc. Prof. Tianyu Wang, applied principles from quantum physics to stabilize the position of levitated objects, minimizing the risk of dropouts or erratic motion.
The researchers drew inspiration from the concept of “quantum squeezing,” typically used to reduce uncertainty in a particle’s position or momentum in quantum systems. By adapting the mathematical framework of quantum squeezing to an acoustic environment, the team discovered it was possible to effectively reduce the positional noise of the levitated particles.
This technique works by manipulating the ultrasonic field to shape the energy landscape in which the object is suspended. Specifically, it narrows the stable region in one direction while allowing greater flexibility in another—creating a “squeezed” zone that holds the object more firmly in place. According to the researchers, this adjustment results in objects that are up to ten times more stable than with conventional acoustic levitation methods.
The implications of this advancement are significant. In industrial settings, it could allow for more precise manipulation of microscopic electronic components without the risk of physical contamination. In medicine, tools based on this technology could enable surgeons to manipulate drug particles or delicate tissues without direct contact. Furthermore, in consumer-focused areas like virtual reality and midair haptic feedback, such stabilization could create more realistic and engaging user experiences.
Despite the promising results, the technology is currently in an early experimental phase and has mainly been tested with small particles. Scaling the approach for broader commercial use remains a challenge. Nevertheless, the work underscores how interdisciplinary thinking—borrowing techniques from quantum mechanics for use in acoustic engineering—can unlock new frontiers in previously constrained technologies.
As haptic interfaces and contactless systems gain traction, the development of more robust levitation frameworks will prove foundational. The Chicago team’s innovation suggests that the next generation of human-machine interaction may increasingly rely on principles once confined to quantum laboratories.
