The Levitators

Research group in Near Field Acoustic Leviation at the European Space Agency in collaboration with Durham University, UK. Part of Spin Your Thesis 2021.

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

Having made the final adjustments to the experimental set-up, the equipment is currently on its way to the Netherlands for our upcoming experiment campaign!
#Althen #ESA #durhamuniversity #UKSA
#nfal #levitators

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

After several administrative and delivery delays, we are happy to announce we are in the final stages of assembling our experimental setup!

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

Would you like to learn more about what acoustic levitation is and how this relates to our research? Have a look at our website:
https://t.co/IHfxNGW2H0
We've updated our Theory as well as our Outreach page!
#esa #spinyourthesis #nfal #acousticlevitation

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

and the programme can be found here: https://t.co/xuaC0qZnqQ . Our presentation starts at 2.25 UK time and we hope to see you all there! :D

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

Interested in space-related student papers? Wanna see us present our study on NFAL? Why not come along to the UKSEDS Student Space Symposium tomorrow from 11 am to 4.30 pm😍Registration is free worldwide from here: https://t.co/WzLkl7b2am (1/2)

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

After a meeting with our supervisors from ESA earlier this month we have been granted an extension on our project! This means we are looking to have our 3 day experiment with the LDC around the end of March 2022.
So more physics and more of the Levitators!
#esa #uksa #nfal

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

We have finally been able to come together again and do some work communally, having an all day session working on matters such as the microcontroller design, signal analysis, finances, conferences and manufacture!
Of course the pizza for lunch helped with the process ;)

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

Lots of coding this week (10 pages in fact!) as we finally managed to complete the pseudocode which will automatically control all the electronic parts of our experiment later on. Special thanks to our mentors from @DurhamPhysics and @ESA__Education for their insights.

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

We have been designing a plate to attach to our load cell, on which the acoustic forces can act.
Making use of many repeated stress analyses, we have developed an optimised shape, reducing its mass by ~70% and the maximum displacement by ~31%.

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

We have also spent the past few weeks expanding our knowledge of acoustic levitation. As a result, we have managed to compile a 27 page (and growing!) summary document containing bits of theory, methods, and results that can only assist us once we start collecting data.

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

Getting closer and closer to being able to order all our components, our frame is currently already being manufactured by the DU Physics Workshop! Below you can see an animation of our 2nd set-up, set to measure the force profile above the ultrasonically radiating surface.

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

After some time of teaching ourselves how to work in html & css, we are now happy to announce the launch of our very own website!

You can find it on:
https://t.co/QkTz9D3X41

Have a look at the showcase below to see a few of its pages:

[ESA Education @ESA__Education]

Explore different #space-related topics with our #MeetTheExperts series. Topics range from extreme life in space, exoplanets and astronaut training to weather vs climate, mission control, moon exploration and more. New episodes coming soon! #StayTuned https://t.co/Y624wGPGbf

[Aris @ArisSpaceCh]

We’ve got some great updates on the PICCARD payload!🚀
Our payload, an “acoustic levitation device”, which is built by the No-Touch Robotics team here at ETH Zurich, is almost done! A huge thanks to the No-Touch Robotics team! We are very happy to also have you as our sponsor.

[ESA Education @ESA__Education]

🚨 Deadline approaching! Join ESA Academy's Clean Space Training Course, taking place over 5 full days between 3-7 May 2021. Complement your engineering studies with insight into a vital aspect of future #space missions @ESAcleanspace More info/to apply: https://t.co/LiRWjya0j4

[Institute of Physics @PhysicsNews]

Today marks the start of Women History Month, and throughout the month we will be profiling those who have made important contributions to #physics and the trail blazers who paved the way for others to follow in their footsteps. #WomenHistoryMonth

[ARCHIVED - NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover @NASAPersevere]

Hello, world. My first look at my forever home. #CountdownToMars

[Nicol Caplin @DrCaplin]

Space for everyone! Proud to share that @esa are the first space agency to welcome applicants with physical disabilities in a positive move to promote accessibility in the astronaut programme 🚀 #YourWayToSpace #Parastronaut

[The Levitators @the_levitators]

Happy #ValentinesDay from your #Levitator friends! Why not show us some love and have a look at our brand new #MeetTheTeam page with @esa / @ESA__Education 😍

LINK: https://t.co/7phYa4e6JB

[European Space Agency @esa]

On 18 February, the @NASAPersevere rover will land on the #RedPlanet. ESA’s Mars orbiters, @ESA_ExoMars @ESA_TGO and #MarsExpress, are supporting the landing.

Find our how 👉https://t.co/DvCNoz9YmD #ExploreFarther #InternationalCooperation #CountdownToMars