Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2003 6:01 pm Posts: 16650 Location: On a slope
Quantum Levitation
Per Peltz's request
From a Wired article about the video
Quote:
Researchers at the school of physics and astronomy at Tel Aviv University have created a track around which a superconductor can float, thanks to the phenomenon of “quantum levitation“. wireduk
This levitation effect is explained by the Meissner effect, which describes how, when a material makes the transition from its normal to its superconducting state, it actively excludes magnetic fields from its interior, leaving only a thin layer on its surface.
When a material is in its superconducting state — which involves very low temperatures — it is strongly diamagnetic. This means that when a magnetic field is externally applied, it will create an equally opposing magnetic field, locking it in place.
A material called yttrium barium copper oxide can be turned into a superconductor by exposure to liquid nitrogen — which makes it one of the highest-temperature superconductors.
In the video it appears that a puck of yttrium barium copper oxide cooled by liquid nitrogen is repelling the magnets embedded on the handheld device. It also shows that the angle of the magnet can be locked in a magnetic field. Later in the video the puck can be seen to zoom round a circular track of magnets, in the same way that Maglev high-speed trains do.
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Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:38 pm
pevil
Minor Diety
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 1:43 am Posts: 4303
Re: Quantum Levitation
That's incredibly awesome. I want one!
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Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:24 pm
Satis
Felix Rex
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2003 6:01 pm Posts: 16650 Location: On a slope
Re: Quantum Levitation
Hope you have some liquid nitrogen on hand.
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Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:04 pm
Peltz
Stranger
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2003 1:14 pm Posts: 6316 Location: Estonia
Re: Quantum Levitation
Not to mention extensive knowledge in chemistry how to even handle such substances.
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Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:27 am
Mole
Minor Diety
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2003 5:09 pm Posts: 4003 Location: Walsall, West Mids, UK
Re: Quantum Levitation
You guys are way to straight forward about stuff! I'll just buy some cheap vodka, freeze it (hense need cheap stuff so it will freeze in my freezer) get some lego and a rubber glove, whilst reading a comic book version of The Big Bang Theory. Problem solved!
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Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:04 pm
Peltz
Stranger
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2003 1:14 pm Posts: 6316 Location: Estonia
Re: Quantum Levitation
I think you are talking about a different kind of levitation here, something that ends in a huge hangover next morning .
_________________ When someone asks how rich you are, quote Rinox " I don't even have a rusty nail to scratch my butt with...!"
Be well or Get Help!!
Mon Oct 24, 2011 3:31 am
Satis
Felix Rex
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2003 6:01 pm Posts: 16650 Location: On a slope
Re: Quantum Levitation
Oh, yea, I've levitated like that. Usually I'm floating and then suddenly I'm on the ground. Or maybe I'm both levitating and on the ground at the same time, a la Schrodinger's levitating cat.
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