Monday, August 6, 2007

Micro-machines given a scientific lift by levitation theory

Published: 06 August 2007

Levitation - the magical ability to rise when there seems to be no external force at work - may be possible in the real world, two British scientists have conjectured.

Disappointingly, even if they are right, their theory will only apply to very small objects, not to human beings. The importance of the theory will be felt in nanotechnology and the construction of micro-machines, where its effects could be revolutionary.

It depends on a quirk of nature that allows particles to pop into existence from nowhere. Known as the "Casimir force", it was predicted by quantum physicists in 1948, and measured for the first time in 1997. continue...




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