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LEVITATE OBJECTS IN MID-AIR WITH SOUND

A field of 72 ultrasonic transducers builds a standing wave that floats tiny objects in thin air — steer them with a joystick.

by vindar

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

PhysicsElectronics

difficulty
●●●●○
time
a weekend or two
license
GPL-3.0
repo
repo STABLE5 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
  • Electronic parts — full list with part numbers in the repo BOM
  • Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware
  • Soldering kit + basic tools — one-time buy, serves every future build

Partner

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1

COMPAREE VERDICT

Acoustic levitation feels like magic the first time you see it — a small object hanging in mid-air, held by nothing but sound. Teensylev floats tiny objects in a standing wave created by a field of 72 ultrasonic transducers, and it adds a lovely touch: a small TFT screen and joystick to actually move the levitated object around. It's a refined take on Asier Marzo's famous TinyLev, and it's genuinely buildable — Teensy firmware, printable parts, a schematic and a BOM are all provided. It's inexpensive and approachable for an intermediate maker. Just mind the two mild hazards: prolonged ultrasound exposure and the step-up supply driving the transducer array. A brilliant, affordable science-demo build.

NOT IN THE REPO

  • —A buildable DIY project: Teensy firmware, printable STL parts, a schematic and a BOM
  • —It's a refined variant of Asier Marzo's well-known TinyLev acoustic levitator
  • —Steered with a small TFT display and a joystick
  • —Uses ultrasound and a step-up supply for the transducer array

Can I build this?

Printthe transducer array housing (STL provided)
Buy72 ultrasonic transducers, a Teensy 3.2, a step-up module, a motor driver, a mini TFT + joystick
Tools3D printer, soldering iron, patience wiring the array
Skillsintermediate electronics; the firmware and schematic are provided
Timea weekend or two
Costband $ — inexpensive parts; current prices: README BOM
Safetyultrasound (limit prolonged exposure) and a step-up supply for the transducer array

Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.

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Gallery

The assembled levitatorvindar
Device detailvindar
The transducer arrayvindar
Controls and wiringvindar

Start here

Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.

  1. 1.Read the base design (Marzo's TinyLev — the foundation)
  2. 2.Get the files (firmware, STL, schematic, BOM)
  3. 3.Print and wire the array (72 transducers)
  4. 4.Flash the Teensy (TFT + joystick control)

Resources

Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.

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KNOWN ISSUES

  • It's a refined variant of Marzo's TinyLev — read that base design too
  • Limit prolonged ultrasound exposure, and take care with the step-up supply driving the array
  • Wiring 72 transducers takes patience — get the phasing right or nothing levitates

What can it levitate?

Small, light objects — polystyrene beads, tiny droplets — held at the nodes of a standing ultrasonic wave from the 72-transducer field.

Can I move the object?

Yes — a mini TFT display with a joystick lets you steer the levitated object, which is the fun upgrade over a static levitator.

Is it based on something?

Yes — it's a refined variant of Asier Marzo's well-known TinyLev acoustic levitator, with Teensy firmware and joystick control.

What does it cost?

Band $ — inexpensive parts. The README BOM has current prices.

Community builds

No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.

Discussion1

FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM

Hand-soldering 72 ultrasonic transducers where one phase mistake means nothing levitates — what's your strategy for surviving a wiring job like that?

CompareeTEAM1mo ago

What we found digging into this: it's not a from-scratch design but a refined take on Asier Marzo's TinyLev, and the real upgrade is the mini TFT plus joystick that lets you steer the floating object instead of just staring at it. The catch the docs bury a little is that all 72 transducers must be phased correctly or the standing wave simply never forms. Has anyone here tried a levitator build — and did it work on the first power-up?

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vindar

Refined Asier Marzo's TinyLev acoustic levitator into Teensylev — adding a TFT-and-joystick control to steer the levitated object — and published the firmware, STL, schematic and BOM.

GitHub

Star the project on GitHub

DISCLAIMER

  • Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
  • Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
  • Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
GitHub repo