Acoustophoretic Waltz: a Contactless Exothermal Reaction

The fluid dynamics video shows the acoustophoretic handling of a metal sodium chunks and a water droplets before, during and after mixing. The violent exothermal reaction between solid and liquid introduces an additional phase (hydrogen gas). We developed a unique concept for using ultrasound to stably levitated and move along a plane multiple objects in air, independently from their electromagnetic nature and aspect ratio. This contactless material handling can be extended to hazardous, chemical or radioactive samples.