The truth is it’s not exactly a carpet that’s floating around a lab at Princeton. More like a plastic sheet that has an electric current running through it. The creation of a grad student inspired by a paper he read by some MIT prof, the footage of the experiment has since gone viral. Innovation at its best, ladies and gentlemen. Below is a fantasy stock image of a flying carpet, because the real footage (after the jump!) looks awful.
It took graduate student Noah Jafferis two years and a lot of painstaking labor to finally get his sheet to, uh, hover. To what end? Vindicating some paper he read that was authored by an MIT prof. Of course, when the prof heard about Jafferis’ work, he was mighty proud.
The Science Behind the Floating Sheet
The ‘carpet’ is actually a thin plastic sheet embedded with piezoelectric actuators. These actuators generate small vibrations when an electric current is applied, creating a series of ripples across the sheet. These ripples interact with the air beneath the sheet, generating lift and causing the sheet to hover. This principle is somewhat similar to how a hovercraft works, but on a much smaller and more controlled scale.
The technology is still in its infancy, but the potential applications are vast. For instance, this could revolutionize the field of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) technology. Current VTOL systems, like those used in Harrier jets, rely on complex and heavy machinery. A lightweight, flexible sheet that can achieve the same effect could lead to more efficient and versatile VTOL systems.
Potential Applications and Future Research
The implications of this technology extend beyond just VTOL. Imagine a future where this technology is scaled up to create larger, more robust platforms. These could be used for everything from personal transportation to emergency evacuation systems. The military could also find uses for such technology in creating lightweight, portable landing pads for drones or other aircraft.
Moreover, the principles behind this technology could be applied to other fields. For example, in robotics, flexible sheets with embedded actuators could be used to create more adaptable and versatile robotic systems. In medicine, similar technology could be used to develop new types of medical devices that can navigate through the human body with ease.
The video:
Source BBC
In conclusion, while the floating sheet may not be the magic carpet of our childhood fantasies, it represents a significant step forward in the field of aerodynamics and material science. The work of Noah Jafferis and his team at Princeton is a testament to the power of academic inspiration and the potential for groundbreaking innovation. As research continues and the technology matures, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the years to come.
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