Graphite Platform Hovers Without Electricity

Scientists in Japan have devised a method to create a floating platform using conventional graphite, eliminating the need for an external power source typically associated with magnetic levitation.

If you’ve attempted to push together two magnets with the same charge, you’re familiar with the repulsive force they exert. This force can cause objects made of specific materials, termed diamagnetic materials, to levitate above surfaces when subjected to a sufficiently strong magnetic field.

This phenomenon is often demonstrated in various commercial products, such as clocks, lamps, and speakers. Advanced technology employs superconductors to levitate heavier objects, facilitating the development of high-speed maglev vehicles that experience minimal friction.

Overcoming Reliance on External Power

In fact, these existing methods all rely on external power sources, with superconductors even requiring near-cryogenic temperatures. Scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) developed a low-cost material to address this issue in their recent study.

Beginning with ordinary graphite, which exhibits high diamagnetism, the material can levitate above magnetic surfaces without requiring any power. However, the flow of electrical currents through the graphite typically causes energy loss, leading to short-lived levitation—a phenomenon known as eddy damping.

Insulating Graphite for Sustainable Levitation: The Role of Silica Coating

To address this issue, the team applied a chemical coating of silica onto the graphite particles, which serves as an electrical insulator. These silica-coated graphite particles were then mixed with wax and formed into flat slabs measuring approximately 1 cm^2 (0.2 sq in). By doing so, the graphite retained its diamagnetic properties, while the insulation prevented the energy loss that typically disrupts levitation.

Remarkably, in experiments, the silica-coated graphite platforms remained levitated above a surface composed of magnets with alternating north and south poles for extended durations.

According to the team, this levitating platform system has the potential to pave the way for novel sensor technologies capable of measuring force, acceleration, and gravity.

Additionally, for more precise quantum sensors, an alternative version employs a feedback magnetic force to continually adjust the platform’s vertical movements, thereby cooling it down to reduce its kinetic energy. However, this approach does introduce the requirement for an external power source.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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