Light and sound waves have long been known to manipulate objects, giving rise to technologies like optical and acoustic tweezers. These tools have found applications in fields such as biomedical engineering and quantum optics. However, their effectiveness has been limited to controlled environments. Researchers at EPFL have recently demonstrated a new technique that shapes sound wave momentum to manipulate objects in dynamic and messy environments. Unlike traditional methods that trap objects, this approach uses a dynamically updated mix of sound wave modes. This mix is adjusted in real-time based on scattering measurements, without requiring detailed information about the object or its surroundings.
In the video footage above, you can witness the results of an experiment where an object floating in liquid is adeptly maneuvered around obstacles. The setup utilizes arrays of speakers and microphones. Speakers reproduce sound waveforms that impart varying momentum to the object. This setup supports multiple types of manipulations, including continuous long paths, rotational movements of the object, and dynamic handling of complex scattering scenarios. For more information about this research project, please refer to the research paper titled "Wave-momentum shaping for moving objects in heterogeneous and dynamic media."
This innovative method opens up new possibilities for manipulating objects in complex and changing environments, such as industrial settings or biological systems. By harnessing the power of sound waves in real-time, researchers are paving the way for more versatile and adaptable manipulation technologies that can operate effectively amidst disorder and movement.
