Maglev Tensegrity
An idea for achieving stable tethered magnetic levitation with LEGO pieces.
While playing with LEGO train magnets: 73092 and 2607, I have come upon a simple idea for achieving stable tethered magnetic levitation with some extra load capacity. By mounting one magnet on a rigid support facing downwards, and tethering another on a chain below it, it’s possible to make the lower magnet stay up in the air, with the upper magnet attracting it, but the chain preventing the two from snapping together. By reducing the distance between the magnets, the lower magnet’s load capacity can be increased to the point where it can lift a LEGO minifigure and more.
The idea is very simple and I have presented it in a for of a simple free-standing structure that would look well on one’s desk. Despite its simplicity, it’s quite a sight to see a LEGO magnet defying gravity.
