The geek in me couldn’t resist sharing this. These videos come from the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and they are, simply put, remarkable.

This demonstration from Tel-Aviv University shows quantum superconductors locked in a magnetic field. What does that mean in plain English? Basically, they are floating discs that levitate off the ground like a flying saucer. It’s something from right out of the Jetsons.

This video shows a crude demonstration of what a rail system could look like using levitation.

For an explanation of the physics behind this demonstration, check out this site. In short, what is happening is the demonstrators suspend a superconducting disc above or below a set of permanent magnets and the magnetic field is locked inside the superconductor. This is a phenomenon called Quantum Trapping.

For those of you who just want to see something levitate, check out the videos below: