So THAT’S how David Blaine does it

A team of researchers from University College London has created a method to levitate objects via sound, even when the path of the acoustic waves is obstructed, per a new peer-reviewed study.

🔊 How it works: Sound waves are composed of air particles moving together. Manipulated in the right way, they can literally pick up and move objects – and what’s even crazier, this type of ‘sonar levitation’ has been around for decades.

• However, under previous methods, if the sound waves run into an obstacle that reflects or scatters them, the levitating object comes tumbling down.

🤖 But for this new study… scientists developed an AI-assisted algorithm that’s able to — in conjunction with 256 speakers — quickly readjust sound waves to keep the object in the air despite interruptions.

• In one experiment, the team was able to levitate a water droplet over a moving glass of water, an object that would've otherwise proven to be a massive source of interference due to its reflective surface.

👀 Looking ahead… The findings could eventually lead to more advanced interactive entertainment at theme parks, arcades, and museums; it could also improve 3D printing by allowing manufacturers to build more sophisticated designs than the layer-by-layer approach currently used.