Imagine effortlessly gliding across a lake or pool on a float without lifting a finger. Researchers have achieved just that, developing a groundbreaking technique to manipulate water waves and precisely control the movement of floating objects. This innovative approach, reminiscent of science fiction, has potential applications ranging from microscopic molecular experiments to maneuvering large vessels across vast bodies of water.
This novel water manipulation technique hinges on the power of waves. Through extensive computer simulations and the use of 3D-printed structures in a water tank, researchers generated a variety of wave patterns. One key structure was a ring equipped with 24 tubes connected to speakers. These speakers emitted low-frequency humming sounds, creating ripples within the ring.
By meticulously adjusting the magnitude and frequency of these generated waves, the researchers crafted intricate surface patterns, including loops and vortices. These patterns enabled them to control the movement of various floating objects, from foam and ping pong balls to even grains of rice.
A study published in Nature in early February details how these manipulated waves achieved remarkable feats. Researchers demonstrated the ability to hold objects stationary, guide them along circular or spiral paths, and maintain control even amidst minor external wave disturbances. Impressively, the objects deviated from their intended trajectories by less than a fifth of an inch (approximately 5 millimeters). This isn’t waterbending magic; it’s the precise application of physics.
“Our findings represent the first step in exploring how precisely shaped water waves can manipulate object movement, opening doors to numerous potential applications,” stated study co-lead Shen Yijie, an optical engineer from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Inspired by his research on light patterns, Yijie and his colleagues previously demonstrated the ability of light waves to move microscopic particles. This led him to explore the analogous potential of water waves.
“We’ve successfully used water waves to precisely control objects as small as rice grains,” Yijie explained. “Future research could investigate even smaller scales, like manipulating cells, as well as much larger scales, such as controlling sea waves.”
At the molecular level, this technique could facilitate the assembly of particles without direct physical interaction. On a larger scale, it holds promise for controlling boat navigation, although researchers acknowledge the need to account for the influence of strong natural waves. The technique’s potential also extends to manipulating liquids within water, potentially offering solutions for cleaning up floating chemical pollutants. However, scaling up for large bodies of water would require significantly larger wave-generating structures.
Given the parallels between water waves, light waves, and electron behavior, researchers suggest that water could provide a more accessible platform for studying certain quantum phenomena. Looking further ahead, future research could explore the possibility of using water patterns for data storage.
The team’s immediate focus is on exploring whether these wave patterns can be replicated beneath the water’s surface. This groundbreaking research opens exciting possibilities for manipulating fluids and objects, promising advancements in various fields.
