Acoustic Levitation Integral to Mars Missions

One of the more daunting challenges of sending missions to Mars is the problem of dust.  Due to the atmosphere and lack of displacing elements, the dust can be a menace to all forms of human operation.  With challenges come great solutions, though; scientists are zeroing in on controlling the particles with acoustic levitation, as shown here:

(YouTube Link)

Blasting a high-pitched noise from a tweeter into a pipe that focuses the sound waves can create enough pressure to lift troublesome alien dust from equipment, suits or vehicles, according to a study published January in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.

Wired has the story.