Tractor beam pulls into Top 10 breakthroughs of the year
Published On Fri 12 Dec 2014 by Roddy Isles
A University of Dundee-based project to produce the first working acoustic tractor beam has been named one of the Breakthroughs of the Year for 2014 by Physics World, taking a place on the shortlist alongside the landing of the Philae probe onto a comet.
The Dundee researchers, working with colleagues at Illinois Wesleyan University in the US, turned science fiction into science fact with their project, creating the first acoustic “tractor beam” that can pull an object by firing sound waves at it.
Dr Hamish Johnston, editor of physicsworld.com, said, “The acoustic tractor beam is a fantastic example of how a simple physics experiment can defy common sense. By creating such a tractor beam in the laboratory, the research team will inspire scientists to think differently about ultrasound, which could lead to the development of new and innovative medical applications.”
The tractor beam project - a collaboration between the School of Engineering, Physics and Maths and IMSaT (The Institute for Medical Science and Technology) at the University of Dundee and Illinois Wesleyan University - is one of the top ten breakthroughs of 2014 listed by Physics World. The comet landing was selected as the overall winner team for its significance and fundamental importance to space science.
The top 10 breakthroughs were selected using the following criteria: fundamental importance of research; significant advance in knowledge; strong connection between theory and experiment; and general interest to all physicists.
Dr Mike MacDonald, one of the Dundee team who worked on the tractor beam, said, “It is a pleasant surprise to hear that our acoustic tractor beam work is listed in the top 10 breakthroughs of 2014, especially alongside such great physics breakthroughs from around the world. It’s particularly pleasing to get such recognition for what is a truly interdisciplinary effort between physics and medicine at the University of Dundee.”
The research team used energy from an ultrasound array to exert force behind an object and pull it towards the energy source. It was the first time anyone has demonstrated a working acoustic tractor beam and the first time such a beam has been used to move anything bigger than microscopic targets.
They were able to show that you could exert sufficient force on an object around one centimetre in size to hold or move it, by directing twin beams of energy from the ultrasound array towards the back of the object.
The team used an ultrasound device that is already clinically approved for use in MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery.
The Dundee researchers, together with Dr Gabe Spalding at Illinois Wesleyan University, previously demonstrated that another piece of sci-fi technology – Dr Who’s sonic screwdriver – could be created using a similar ultrasound array, in that instance using the acoustic beam to both push away an object in its path and causing it to rotate.
While their work has caught the interest of sci-fi buffs, it does have significant potential to further develop ultrasound-based clinical techniques.
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more on the Physics World list see: http://physicsworld.com
Physics World is the international monthly magazine published by the Institute of Physics.
The Institute of Physics is a leading scientific society. It is a charitable organisation with a worldwide membership of more than 50,000, working together to advance physics education, research and application.
It engages with policymakers and the general public to develop awareness and understanding of the value of physics and, through IOP Publishing, is a world leader in professional scientific communications.
Roddy Isles
Head of Press
TEL: 01382 384910
MOBILE: 07800 581902
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk