I watched this TED presentation: http://www.ted.com/talks/boaz_almog_levitates_a
ID: 1377348 • Letter: I
Question
I watched this TED presentation: http://www.ted.com/talks/boaz_almog_levitates_a_superconductor.html
It is about superconductivity and quantum levitation. It tells that super-thin, three-inch disk can levitate something 70,000 times its own weight.
In exact terms, presentation @9:40 says: 3mm thick disk could carry 1000kg small car.
And author says "I can hold small car in my hand".
Is he implying that if holds superconducting wafer with a car locked in using Meissner effect he will not feel weight of a car on his hand?
Explanation / Answer
Sadly the Meissner effect can't be used as an anti-gravity device. If you lay under the magnet and put the 3mm superconducting disk and car on top you would indeed be squished.
The presenter does use the words "in my hand", but I suspect this is just poor phrasing and I'm sure he is not suggesting he could lift a car in one hand using a superconducting disk. What he means is simply that the repulsion between the magnet and the superconducting disk is so strong that you would need to press with a force of 1000kg to push the disk into contact with the magnet. That force is of course transmitted to whatever is underneath the magnet e.g. a squished physicist.