Researchers have developed a technique to manipulate water and move floating objects with precision, inspired by light patterns. By generating specific wave patterns in a water tank using 3D-printed structures, they controlled the movement of small objects such as foam balls, ping pong balls, and rice grains. The team found that waves could be used to hold objects in place or induce them to follow circular paths.
The technique is grounded in physics and has potential applications in various fields, including molecular experiments and boat maneuvering. On a molecular scale, it could bring particles together without direct manipulation. Researchers aim to investigate whether waves can create similar patterns beneath the surface of water, which could lead to breakthroughs in studying quantum phenomena and storing data.
The discovery was inspired by the team’s previous research on light patterns, where they showed that light waves could move tiny particles within light patterns. The new technique uses a ring with 24 tubes connected to speakers to produce low-pitched humming sounds that create ripples in the water within the ring. By adjusting the magnitude and frequency of the waves, researchers generated intricate patterns across the water’s surface.
The study’s findings have practical implications for various applications, including cleaning up floating chemical pollutants and potentially controlling the movement of boats across large bodies of water. Future research will focus on exploring the potential of this technique to create similar patterns beneath the water’s surface.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/wild-waterbending-technique-uses-waves-to-steer-floating-objects-with-precision-2000575111