Using magnets to suspend objects

Cantstandit

Today I stumbled upon a cleverly designed levitating lamp and I immediately thought about this topic. You should watch this video:

http://vimeo.com/28994216

and the related ones. Maybe it will give you some idea how this kind of thing may be done. As you can see, it doesn't use permanent magnets.

Phrak

Thank you. These guys were driving me crazy with inside-the-box theory.

A microcontroller goes a long way in getting around passive system constraints.

Inventor 4U2

Here is the message that has just been posted for Inventor 4U2 by "f95toli"
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You can't invent something that is impossible to make...
So no, it is not possible (unless you use a diamagnetic material).

Note that Earnshaw's theorem is essentially a mathematical proof which uses Maxwell's equations as a starting point to show that a stable static configuration is impossible. Hence, unless there is something fundamentally wrong with our understanding of electromagnetics (unlikely), this really IS impossible.
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Here is my (Inventor 4U2) response to the above reply: The statement " You can't invent something that is impossible to make." is only correct if all options have been considered and tried. I am already thinking about a way which may allow an object to float above 3 magnets by 1 or 2 inches. And, of course it is just a theory at this moment but it seems to me it can be done. And I am not afraid or bothered by sharing it on this website with other thinkers, that is, young inspired thinkers that have not lived long enough to have a defeatist attitude, too often. And here it is: All magnetic fields have a north and south pole. If two S. or N. Poles come together they first repel each other then the magnet on top will immediately flip over and cause one's N. Pole to lock against the other magnet's S. pole. But, if you have at least three magnets rotating in a circular direction against each other underneath the magnet you're trying to levitate or float then, won't the upper magnet not be able to lock polls together with those spinning or rotating magnets below it? And if you think that the floating magnet will just spin as quickly as the lower spinning magnets, you may be correct. So, to solve that problem simply attach at least two small flaps or wings protruding that upper magnet which will create resistance against the air as it tries to rotate and slow it down enough so that it will never rotate at the same RPM as the lower three magnets. This should, per my theory, allow the magnet to levitate one or 2 inches, depending on the magnetic's strength below it. If I am accurate on what I believe will happen, then I just gave away the idea on how to make an object levitate 1 or 2 inches WITHOUT having to use another magnet above the magnet or object you're trying to make levitate or float.