Contraption Sim

Electrostatic and electromagnetic levitation. Electrostatic levitation is real but needs active feedback, because Earnshaw's theorem applies. NASA JPL built the first electrostatic levitator in 1993 to measure liquid metals in vacuum. See the IEEE overview and the China Space Station study. Induced-magnetism levitation escapes Earnshaw, but still needs feedback in practice (comparison paper). Not simulated here. Eddy-current and Lorentz-force levitation are not covered by the research yet.

Laithwaite's gyroscope (1974). He lifted a 40 lb spinning disc with one hand and argued that it weighed less. NASA's Millis and Thomas report found no measurable weight change. The 2014 Physics Teacher article notes conventional explanations exist. My understanding (not stated in these sources): the lift is ordinary gyroscopic precession and reaction force, not lost weight.

Searl effect. A claimed self-accelerating magnetic generator, never independently verified. A lab prototype showed no self-acceleration (test writeup). A reported 7% weight change was inconsistent between runs (Medium). The 1990s self-powering results rest on promotional sources. No peer-reviewed study exists.

Biefeld–Brown, Podkletnov, Hutchison. Biefeld–Brown thrust in air is ion wind. The vacuum claim is second-hand and unconfirmed. Podkletnov's superconductor "gravity shielding" failed replication. The Hutchison effect has no peer-reviewed replication.

Official UAP reporting. AARO's FY2025 report (The Debrief) found no evidence of exotic technology or recovered materials.

Bottom line. Every levitation effect that works is explained by known physics. The fringe claims have not been reproduced under controlled conditions.