from The Telegraph:
Engineers have developed a device that is capable of moving and manipulating objects using only ultrasonic sound waves. They say the technology could eventually lead to devices that can undo screws, assemble electronics and put together delicate components. The news will no doubt delight young fans of Doctor Who who have dreamed of owning a sonic screwdriver of their own after watching their hero use the tool to get himself out of many sticky situations.
But while the Doctor’s device can perform a multitude of tasks from cutting, burning, welding, sending signals, controlling the TARDIS, altering mobile phones and healing wounds, the researchers warn their real life sonic screwdriver will have more limited capabilities.
Professor Bruce Drinkwater, an ultrasonics engineer at the University of Bristol, said: “We have developed a device that allows us to use ultrasonic forces to move small objects like biological cells around to sort them or to assemble them.”
Read the complete article here.