Scientists discover way to levitate tiny objects

Force of repulsion could create friction-free parts for nanomachines

Jay Penni / Federico Capasso This illustration shows how the repulsive Casimir-Lifshitz force between suitable materials in a fluid can be used to levitate an object that is denser than the liquid. The figure is not shown to scale. View related photos

By Julie Steenhuysen

updated 3:44 p.m. MT, Wed., Jan. 7, 2009

CHICAGO - U.S. scientists have found a way to levitate the very smallest objects using the strange forces of quantum mechanics, and said on Wednesday they might use it to help make tiny nanotechnology machines.

They said they had detected and measured a force that comes into play at the molecular level using certain combinations of molecules that repel one another.

The repulsion can be used to hold molecules aloft, in essence levitating them, creating virtually friction-free parts for tiny devices, the researchers said.

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