DIY Magnetic Levitation Sculpture

A fascinating desk-top demonstration, you'll be curiously drawn to this D.I.Y. laser-cut model that some say actually resembles a machine designed by da Vinci himself!

This fun wooden sculpture kit requires a satisfying degree of patience to assemble, but the real challenge is in achieving the magnetic balance required to levitate the included 5 mm x 5 mm magnet between two bismuth cones.

Once you get the magnet to hover in mid air, make the levitating magnet spin wildly by carefully blowing through a soda straw (not included).

This sculpture elegantly illustrates the diamagnetic properties of the Bismuth metal cones. The lifter magnet does the grunt work of pulling the smaller magnet against Earth's gravity, while the two Bismuth cones generate tiny magnetic fields to squeeze the small magnet between them. In other words, the cone above pushes the magnet down while the cone below pushes it up.

The assembled 26-piece kit measures 6.25" x 3.75" x 3.75" and includes one 5mm x 5mm magnet.

Warning Strong Magnets: Keep away from Pacemakers or anyone affected by strong magnetic fields.