Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Japan, demonstrating a material that can levitate, essentially defying gravity. This innovative technology has the potential to change the rules of the game for science. A team of researchers from the Quantum Machine Unit of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has successfully shown that a small piece of graphite can float on a magnet grid, independent of any external energy source.
Material that Levita? They have put into play the laws of gravity
This breakthrough goes against our current understanding of gravity, as the material seems to “break a law of the universe.” Although this is more of a metaphor, it’s undeniable that the discovery has significant implications. The researchers’ findings could lead to the development of new, ultrasensitive sensors that can detect changes in gravity at the atomic level. Perhaps we’re on the cusp of reevaluating all the laws of the universe, much like the discovery of a laser that can multiply the speed of light by 300.
The team’s achievement is based on the principle of magnetic levitation, where superconductors or diamagnetic materials can float on magnets. This concept is also used in magnetic levitation trains, which rely on superconductor magnets to create a strong magnetic field, allowing the diamagnetic materials to levitate and move at high speeds.
How does this levitant material work?
The researchers created a floating platform composed of graphite pearls coated with chemical dust and a set of magnets arranged in a grid underneath. Their innovative system improves upon previous iterations by eliminating the need for external energy. Conventional magnetic levitation loses energy through kinetic energy or “swirl damping,” but the team’s design minimizes this energy loss. Graphite is an extremely powerful electric conductor, and by reducing its movement, the team hopes to develop sensors that can detect changes in gravity with unprecedented precision.
According to Jason Twamley, one of the project leaders, “Heat causes movement, but by continuously monitoring and providing real-time feedback in the form of corrective actions to the system, we can reduce this movement. Feedback adjusts the system damping rate, which is the speed with which it loses energy, so by actively controlling cushioning, we reduce the kinetic energy of the system, cooling it effectively.”
Uses and developments of this new technology in daily life
The researchers constantly controlled the movement of the platform and used a magnetic feedback force to cushion their movement. By further cooling the system, they believe that their platform can overcome the most sensitive atomic gravimeters, instruments that use atomic behavior to measure gravity with precision. The team is now working to eliminate external disturbances such as vibrations, magnetic fields, and electrical noise to further improve their system.
This technology has the potential to improve mechanical oscillators, which are used to measure periodic movement in various applications, from watches to radio circuits. Additionally, it could lead to the development of more sensitive sensors for scientific and consumer uses. The possibilities are vast, and this surprising material could have a significant impact on our daily lives, much like the 100% Mexican intelligent material used by SpaceX in space.
