Ultrasonic tweezers
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet conducted an experiment during his Alpha mission looking at manipulating objects using acoustics.
The Ultrasonic Tweezers experiment aims to test the principle of moving objects without any physical interaction.
Ultrasonic tweezers promises to move, manipulate and study objects or liquids without ever coming into contact with them. An acoustic tweezer uses ultrasound to trap objects. By moving the sound beam it is possible to move an object with great precision. The Ultrasonic tweezers experiment will evaluate how the technique can be used in microgravity to capture small plastic or glass marbles and move them over an obstacle course. Ultrasonic tweezers is a technology demonstrator that will stay on the International Space Station for use by scientists and astronauts to investigate other materials, gels and liquids and even hazardous materials or biological material without risk of contamination. Another use could be to capture water evaporation to better understand the physics at play. Other applications for the experiment lie in healthcare. Acoustic tweezers could be used to remove kidney stones or deliver targeted medicine.