Diamond-developed acoustic levitator heads to space
Mar 17, 2026
A technology that began as a simple, open-source acoustic levitator at Diamond will be used in a SpaceX experiment.
The advanced system, known as SuperLev, has been selected for a programme of microgravity experiments that will see it tested in parabolic zero-gravity flights before progressing to longer-duration missions in space. Designed to operate autonomously with onboard imaging and intuitive control software, the compact levitator is being adapted to withstand the rigours of launch and sustained operation in orbit, marking a significant milestone for a technology originally developed to enhance synchrotron science.
The levitator in action with a polystyrene test sample.
In 2019, R&D specialist Dr Pete Docker from the Technical division along with scientists introduced to Diamond TinyLev, a compact, low-cost acoustic levitator built from off-the-shelf components. Designed to suspend droplets and small particles in mid-air using precisely controlled sound waves, the system enabled researchers to study samples without physical contact. This contact-free approach proved valuable for X-ray experiments, where containerless environments reduce contamination and allow samples to be held in the beam.
What began as a proof-of-principle device has since inspired the development of a next-generation platform known as SuperLev.
From lab bench innovation to global adoption
Building on the principles demonstrated at Diamond, SuperLev integrates an onboard high-resolution camera and intuitive, user-friendly software, allowing researchers to monitor and control levitated samples in real time. The system’s enhanced acoustic arrays provide greater stability and flexibility, making it suitable for a wide range of materials science and biological applications.
The impact has been rapid and far-reaching. SuperLev is now being utilised and further developed in 20 laboratories and institutions worldwide. Its modular design and accessibility reflect the same ethos that underpinned TinyLev: making advanced scientific tools more widely available.
Preparing for microgravity research
The latest chapter in SuperLev’s journey moves beyond terrestrial laboratories altogether. The system has been selected for a series of zero-gravity experiments to investigate how ultraviolet (UV) polymerisation behaves in microgravity conditions which is research with significant implications for in-space manufacturing and 3D printing.
Understanding how photopolymers cure without the influence of gravity could inform the development of new fabrication techniques for space missions, including the construction of tools, replacement parts, and even habitat components.
Initial trials will take place during parabolic zero-gravity flights, where short bursts of weightlessness will allow researchers to observe polymer formation in a fully containerless environment. These experiments will validate the system’s performance and refine experimental protocols ahead of longer-duration studies in orbit.
Towards orbital experiments
Following the parabolic trials, SuperLev is scheduled for deployment in extended microgravity experiments conducted in collaboration with SpaceX. The orbital campaign will enable more exhaustive investigations into UV-cured materials, providing sustained data collection impossible to achieve on Earth.
The progression from a compact levitator designed to enhance synchrotron experiments to a space-bound research platform highlights the broader impact of Diamond’s innovation ecosystem. Acoustic levitation, once a niche laboratory technique, is now helping to shape the future of advanced manufacturing in space.
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
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