Researchers from Harvard University announced that it had identified and measured force, which occurs at the molecular level, using a combination of molecules, which repel each other.

This process of mutual expulsion of molecules causes the effect of keeping them in the air, in other words, the effect of levitation. Part of molecules, up in the air, to float above the main layer of the object, while levitating objects can move relative to each other and almost complete lack of friction forces.

Harvard Professor Federico Capasso, who led the study, suggested that the discovery made by his team, makes possible the development of a whole class of new technical devices and gadgets.

The scientist noted that, although the experts were able to raise in the air only nanoobjects, to levitation large objects were only one step, as the basic mechanisms and principles of the process of levitation they have already studied.

The discovery was made during the work on creation of miniature sensors for automobile airbags. Before scientists had a goal to create nanodevices of the finest metal plates, making this a way around the so-called "Casimir effect".

According to the theory of the German theoretical physicist Heinrich Casimir, between two uncharged conducting surfaces, placed in a vacuum, there is mutual attraction at the expense of the vacuum due to the constant emergence and disappearance of the virtual particles.

Researchers had to solve the difficult task: nanometal automotive sensors should not have been attracted to each other. Previously, the team of Russian scientists suggested that "the Casimir effect" can reduce or neutralize, with the right combination of materials for the surface.

American scientists in the experiment used the plate of quartz glass and a tiny ball of gold, placed in a liquid with which they measured the force of repulsion.

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The device, which will be possible due to the discovery of scientists, will be able to successfully used in medicine and in other important areas.

Are currently involved in research in the field of levitation and in the UK. University of Nottingham, for example, the group of Professor Peter king developed a unique device designed on the basis of a powerful electromagnet of superconducting material, which allows to overcome the earth's gravity is sufficiently massive subjects.

The invention was tested on materials such as diamond, lead, gold and platinum. In the basis of the new method is the use of magnetic properties of substances.

This parameter can be divided into three classes - ferromagnets, para - and diamagnetic. The ferromagnets are magnetic, para - and diamagnetic - no.

While the paramagnetic weakly attracted to the magnetic field, diamagnetic - on the contrary, weakly repelled them.

Thanks to this property the diamagnetic they can "fly" in the air (or rather, in a magnetic field). There are laboratory units, in which light substances rise into the air and flying over the magnetic circuit.

To force to levitate more dense substances can, filling chamber of magnetic or paramagnetic liquid, which is attracted to the magnet, while diamagnetic materials float on its surface.

Professor Peter king believes that the invention is quite suitable for practical use. Due to the extreme sensitivity to density levitating body, it can, for example, successfully carry out the sort of minerals.