Anti-Gravity Transport of Water Droplets: Material Channels Mechanical Energy in a Preferred Direction

A research group led by scientists from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have developed a unique material, based on nanofillers embedded in a hydrogel, that can channel mechanical energy in one direction but not the other, acting in a “nonreciprocal” way. Using the composite material—which can be constructed at various sizes—the team was able to use vibrational, up-and-down movements, to make liquid droplets rise within a material. Using the material could thus make it possible to use random vibration usefully to move matter in a preferred direction.