Boaz Almog uses quantum physics to levitate and trap objects in midair. Call it "quantum levitation."

Why you should listen

In October 2011, Boaz Almog demonstrated how a superconducting disk can be trapped in a surrounding magnetic field to levitate above it, a phenomenon called “quantum levitation.” This demonstration, seemingly taken from a sci-fi movie, is the result of many years of R&D on high-quality superconductors. By using exceptional superconductors cooled in liquid nitrogen, Almog and his colleague Mishael Azoulay at the superconductivity group at Tel Aviv University (lead by Prof. Guy Deutscher) were able to demonstrate a quantum effect that, although well known to physicists worldwide, had never been seen and demonstrated in such a compelling way.

Experiment credits:

Prof. Guy Deutscher, Mishael Azoulay and Boaz Almog
High Tc Superconductivity Group
School of Physics and Astronomy
Tel Aviv University

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What others say

“It looks like something out of a magic show, where the magician is able to defy gravity and float or levitate an object in midair with no apparent explanation.” — CNN.com

Boaz Almog’s TED talk

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Science

Quantum locking: Boaz Almog at TEDGlobal 2012

June 28, 2012

After rescuing his equipment from UK customs, where it had been stuck for several days, Boaz Almog take the stage to demonstrate his remarkable research. It uses a well-known phenomenon of superconductivity — a state of matter where the electrical resistance drops to zero. Normally, electrons moving through a conductor collide occasionally, losing energy to […]

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