Quantum Levitation

Synopsis

Have you ever wanted to fly around on a hover board like Marty McFly, or zip around town like the Jetsons? Are you curious about how close we are to achieving such dreams? One possible method of hovering is quantum levitation. Quantum levitation uses superconductors and their interesting properties in order to pin an object in space relative to an array of magnets. A superconductor will actively expel any magnetic field that is applied to it, but thin flux tubes may penetrate and get caught on imperfections. These tubes provide a method to pin the object in three dimensions. Although currently limited in its applications, it is a very promising method.