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Ultrasonic beam levitates objects from 40cm away, six times the previous one-sided range

Bristol and Tsukuba researchers have demonstrated stable, single-sided acoustic levitation at distances up to 40cm, opening possibilities for handling delicate or hazardous materials without contact.

By The TEA Editorial Desk · 28 August 2026

Illustration of a particle held above a ring of ultrasonic transducers by a Bessel beam Image: Koroyasu et al., University of TsukubaOriginal source

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have extended the of single-sided acoustic levitation to 40 centimetres, around six times further than previous approaches managed.

The University of Bristol and University of Tsukuba team used a specialised zero-order Bessel ultrasonic beam to hold and move a 1.5mm polystyrene sphere in mid-air using sound from only one side.

The system was also able to manipulate multiple objects, non-spherical objects and items positioned beyond physical obstacles. Because no mechanical gripper is needed, the technique could eventually be useful for delicate, contamination-sensitive or hazardous materials.

Acoustic levitation normally looks like the sort of physics demonstration designed to make schoolchildren suspicious that somebody has hidden a magnet. Extending it into an open, one-sided system makes it considerably more useful than a party trick.