A group of international researchers have developed a way to use sound to generate different types of wave patterns on the surface of water and use those patterns to precisely control and steer floating objects. Though still in the early stages of developing this technique, the scientists say further research could lead to generating wave patterns to help corral and clean up oil spills and other pollutants. Further out, at the micrometer scale, light waves based on the research could be used to manipulate cells for biological applications; and by scaling up the research to generate water waves hundreds of times larger using mechanical means, optimally designed water wave patterns might be used to generate electricity.
Read More : https://spectrum.ieee.org/sound-waves