Using light or sound waves, they can lift and control the motion of a small object, like a tiny tractor beam. These are exciting developments, but have very stringent requirements to work.

This technique uses real-world physics to control and shape water waves, but the effect resembles that of an unseen force moving things, as fictionalized in popular shows and books.

Where there's water, there are waves. But what if you could bend water waves to your will to move floating objects? Scientists have now developed a technique to merge waves in a water tank to ...

STORY: A UK startup is using soundwaves to make objects levitate in midair. And London-based AcoustoFab says it's "acoustic levitation" is not just a neat trick.It could also have commercial ...

While Ashkin’s optical tweezers use laser beams to trap particles, Fleury likens wave momentum shaping to using sound to gently push an object like a hockey stick guiding a puck.

No smoke, no mirrors, just sound was all scientists needed to levitate objects in midair. NPR reports that researchers at the University of Tokyo have ...

They will use the data to decide where to anchor floating platforms for the wind turbines and where to place cables that will carry electricity to land.