AcoustiFly: An Open-Source, Low-Cost Acoustic Levitator for Hands-On STEM Education

With a decline of student interest in STEM fields, it is important to engage students in applied physics through interactive, hands-on experiments. Acoustic levitation, which allows small samples to levitate using a standing acoustic wave, provides a unique opportunity to achieve this. However, existing acoustic levitators are often costly and complex, making them inaccessible for widespread use in educational environments. For this reason, we present AcoustiFly, a portable, open-source, single-emitter, single-axis acoustic levitator with a unit price below USD 15. AcoustiFly’s 3D-printed, customizable design ensures ease of use and adaptability for both students and hobbyists alike, while serving as an effective educational tool. AcoustiFly provides students with the opportunity to observe and control levitating samples, both statically and dynamically, by calculating and applying relevant physical equations. This hands-on approach helps students to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications, deepening their understanding of wave physics and fostering greater interest. Currently, AcoustiFly is being trialed in school activities, where students are encouraged to pursue STEM studies by experimenting with acoustic levitation. The project’s open-source nature encourages collaboration and innovation, allowing users to adapt and modify the design.