Magnetic levitation using diamagnetism: Mechanism, applications and prospects

As a typical contact-free manipulation technique that removes friction and contamination risk, levitation has gradually become a preferred candidate for various applications. Magnetic levitation using diamagnetism, beyond Earnshaw's theorem, is a kind of passive stable levitation that can be achieved at normal temperatures with no energy input. Appealingly, most seemingly nonmagnetic materials can be levitated in a magnetic field and can stabilize free levitation of magnetic materials. This review focuses on the fundamental principles of magnetic levitation using diamagnetism, with emphasis on its burgeoning applications. The theoretical basis associated with the magnetic levitation using diamagnetism is discussed by elucidating the characteristics of diamagnetic materials, and the key levitation mechanisms are clarified. Afterwards, state-of-the-art applications in various aspects, including sensing and measurement, actuating and micromanipulation, energy harvesting and magnetic gravity compensation, are summarized and compared. Finally, the review concludes with a brief outlook on future perspectives.