Do you reckon the MAG LEV train? The train that operates by magnetic levitation? Well, recently scientists found out how well levitation can be applied to smaller objects. The recently revealed secret might change the future designs of the micro machines. The secret to levitation is the Casimir force.
Discovered way back in 1948 and measured in 1997, the Casimir force is what keeps things levitated. For example, you will notice a gecko levitated on one toe because of this Casimir force. As Professor Ulf Leonhardt mentioned recently in the journal of physics:
Casimir force is the ultimate cause of friction in the nano world, in particular in some micro-electromechanical systems
Now that you know what the Casimir force is, you are probably wondering about the application of levitation. The levitation can be applied to a wide range of objects from airbags of vehicles to computer chips. The picture above is an artist’s impression of levitated mirror.
While studying the different applications of levitation, scientists decided to sandwich a lens between a couple of conducting plates. This way they were able to levitate ultra thin mirrors. Clearly, this type of achievement would not have been possible if there was too much friction involved. By eliminating friction using the Casimir force, the micro/ nano machines could run smoother.
As of now, levitation is an imaginary element in the human world. Only animals and cartoons use levitation and casimir force. Hopefully with this research, I am sure humans will be able to develop cool micro objects.
Image Credits: St-andrews, Zdnet, France24
