Remember the popular toy from the 90s, Levitron? This is a top that hangs in the air due to magnetic forces. Let's try to make such a toy ourselves from scrap materials and observe magnetic levitation.
We will need the following materials:
- Wooden board, pencil, electrical tape, plastic or brass washers, postcards, paper, plastic or cardboard.
- Thirteen neodymium disk magnets measuring 12*3 mm, brand N52; one wide ring with dimensions 20 (outer diameter) * 10 (inner diameter) mm, brand N42.
Flyte levitating light bulb
Previously, a similar product had already appeared on the market, but it was an ordinary stand with a vertically located light bulb above it. This product is called Flyte.
To be honest, although this whole thing looked unusual, it was not entirely practical.
The only advantage of the Flyte levitating lamp was the versatility of its stand.
It was possible to charge smartphones that support wireless charging from it.
It's like you got two devices in one.
Now engineers have developed a full-fledged table lamp in which the light bulb actually hangs upside down in the air.
At the same time, without touching the body or lampshade with any part of it.
What happens if the voltage goes out?
Many people have a question, what will happen if the electricity goes out? Will the light bulb fall off in this case? After all, she will stop levitating.
No, that won't happen. When the voltage disappears, the protection system is designed in such a way that the lamp will simply be attracted to the upper base due to magnets.
So you won't be able to break it. There are no built-in batteries or accumulators in it, as some people think. It glows due to electromagnetic induction.
: Calibration
ReadSetpoint .ino
Load the ReadSetpoint.ino program into your Arduino, which can be downloaded above. This program will read the Hall sensor values and send them to the computer via the serial port. Open the COM port to see it. Connect 12V DC to the DC power jack, you also use an oscilloscope to read the sensor value.
Observe the values on the screen and make adjustments by setting the two potentiometers. The best value is 560 and the sensor output is about 2.5V. After setting the setpoint, place a floating magnet over the base and shake it to see the Setpoint change on the screen.
: Making a top
Next we make the top. Cut the pencil approximately 40mm long. It should have a pointed end. Wrap electrical tape around the pencil to increase the diameter to fit inside the ring magnet.
Place the ring magnet on the pencil with the north pole facing down (towards the pointy end of the pencil). To increase the weight of the top, put several plastic washers on it.
Subsequently, you will have to experiment with the weight and height of the center of gravity of the top to make it work as it should. This may take a very long time.
Other levitating devices
By the way, such levitation is widely used to create other original things. For example, a Bonsai plant.
This is a small moss ball from which a full-fledged tree grows right in the air.
More details
Some enthusiasts even promised to begin mass production of flying beds.
But all this remained at the concept stage and unrealized plans.
But with the light bulb everything worked out and works successfully. It has one drawback - the price.
What it is like today can be found here.
But still, if few people would buy such a product for themselves, then as an original gift, why not?
Literature
the following address Russian translation of the letter.
Translated by Z.K. Silagadze, editing and selection of illustrations by S.I. Blinnikov
Notes:
1. More information about magnetic levitation:
The Real Levitation. 2. Superconducting levitation:
Principles of superconducting levitation. Superconducting Levitation. 3. Article by MV Berry, AK Geim, Eur. J. Phys. 18, 307 (1997) can be found here: Of Flying Frogs and Levitrons.
4. Another article by MV Berry:
The Levitron: an adiabatic trap for spins. 5. Another article by MD Simon et al.:
Spin stabilized magnetic levitation. 6. Popular information about magnets and magnetism:
Cool Experiments with Magnets. 7. How to conduct levitation experiments at home:
A magnet in mid-air. Diamagnetic Levitation Using Silver. 8. Interesting story of the creation of the Levitron toy:
A Toy Story.
An amazing invention, and a patent failure. 9. Magnetic levitation train:
On rails with acceleration. 10. Magnetic suspensions in Russia: Web page of the State University of Aerospace Instrumentation.
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Levitating pot
A levitating flower pot can not only hover in space, but also rotate around its axis if you just push it slightly. Here the plant itself benefits from the accessory. Enriched by rays of daylight from all sides, your flower will look much better than its counterparts receiving light from one side.
The positive effects of magnets on the human body have long been known, both in medicine and in alternative methods of treatment. This is a great item for relieving stress and fighting headaches. Place a floating pot of flowers on your desktop and you will forever forget about migraines and bad mood.
Watching a plant float in the air can help you calm down and relax. The movements of the potty are fascinating and help improve brain activity. The floating flower can be classified as an anti-stress gadget. The levitating plant pot has a diameter of 8.5 cm and a depth of 3.5 cm. This pot is ideal for an indoor violet or a small bonsai tree.
Also included is a pot stand. The accessory is made of high-quality plastic and decorated in natural wood colors. The stand has a cable socket and 4 LED lamps. You also receive a mains power adapter when purchasing a pot for a levitating plant.
Levitating flower pots are simple and easy to maintain. The ideal solution would be to use a flower pot floating in the air in the form of a flowerpot, then watering the plant will not interfere with the mechanism of operation of the device. If you want the floating flower in the pot to also rotate, then connect it to the network.
Floating plants in pots are a good solution for the office. If a large flow of people passes through your office every day, then a floating plant can not only decorate the work area, but also soften the bad energy of ill-wishers. An amazing flower pot floating in the air will be an excellent gift for a person who appreciates new technological developments. Such a gift will delight and surprise any gardener.
Main types of magnetic levitation
A floating object is subject to pressure, which can be obtained using several designs. It is customary to distinguish between electromagnetic structures (EMS) and electrodynamic devices (EDS).
EMS systems are unstable in an equilibrium position. Acceptable operation requires equipment with an automated control system that provides uninterrupted control.
Attraction is possible between ferromagnetic conductors and an electric magnet. The operation of such systems is based on the principles of eddy current in a conductive component. This is possible in the presence of an alternating magnetic field.
The EDS system can be represented by two types of interactions:
- The stationary coil is in relationship with a magnet, which is a superconductor.
- A change in the magnetic field produces a force that generates an alternating current.
The repulsive force used in an electrodynamic system makes it inertially stable. What determines the use of permanent magnets in hybrid-type installations, and not in independent ones. Because permanent magnets do not provide position stability in various degrees of freedom.
That is, without supporting other forces that affect staticity, it is impossible to ensure the correct functioning of the system.
Sometimes, to ensure the levitation process, it is planned to move away from the use of magnetic materials and assemble a system from elements of a different structure. Then there is still a need to use magnetic intermediaries (inserts).
