5 ms·
They are likely continuously, dynamically monitoring and adjusting electromagnets, to work around Earnshaw's Theorem [1]. It isn't possible to statically levita
by yourapostasy 8y ago
They are likely continuously, dynamically monitoring and adjusting electromagnets, to work around Earnshaw's Theorem [1]. It isn't possible to statically levitate with magnets, so I'm interested in finding out the hardware mechanism they're using for the monitoring, as well as their provisions for the turntable "crashing" out of the levitation fields. I'd love to find server fans that use the same tech, perhaps condensing the logic they use into FPGAs at first and then ASICs, and practically never have to worry about replacing a server fan again (the fans will wear out, but on a much longer timeline).
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earnshaw's_theorem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earnshaw's_theorem
- newnewpdro 8y agoa turntable is not a static configuration
- jws 8y agoEarnshaw's Theorem does not apply to moving magnets. A spinning magnetic disc can levitate over static magnets. As much as I'm liking sounding like I have a clue about the theorem… my brother had a Levitron and I played with it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levitron https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levitron
- taneq 8y agoI had one of those too. I don't think "stable" is really the right description, though - it generally wobbled all over the place. It didn't just shoot off straight away though so there's definitely some kind of attractor stuff going on. Edit: Although reading the wiki link, it sounds more like the instability was just due to it requiring a very specific speed.