The Technograph

In the mid 1900s, as the world’s work force became increasingly mobilized, new ways to alleviate congestion and facilitate long commutes were needed. Traffic, delays and frustration increased, but dated technologies could not keep up with the demand for modernization. A fresh approach had to arise in order to push transportation technology into the future. And so, thanks to the ingenious researcher named James Powel of the Brookheaven National Laboratory, magnetic levitation (MagLev) transport was conceived in the 1960s.

Although magnetic levitation had already been studied, never before had anyone adapted this concept into a practical form of transportation. Amazed by this revolutionary idea, scientists around the world began its study leading to enormous advancements. As the years passed, Germany and the UK were the first to open maglev train lines to passenger transport in the 1970s and 80s. However, these trains were limited to very short distances, usually between airport terminals. Once in Asia, Japan and China took the technology to new heights and continued its rapid development to this day.

All maglev trains depend on powerful electromagnets to “levitate” above the track as a result of magnetic repulsion and attraction. Maglev technologies are divided into two main branches: electromagnetic suspension (EMS) and electrodynamic suspension (EDS). Trains using EMS “hug” the steel guide-rail with a series of “C” shaped arms whose electromagnets interact with the track from below, causing the train to levitate and stabilize above the track. The trains move forward through propulsion coils (linear motors) that pull them along with documented speeds reaching over 300 mph.

Maglev trains using EDS are differentsince both the track and the train cars generate magnetic fields. The track and the cars create opposing magnetic fields through super-cooled superconducting magnets for levitation and propulsion. The trains move forward by creating precisely timed alternating attractive and repulsive forces between the track and cars, thus effectively pulling the train. Even though EDS maglev trains can propel themselves unlike EMS systems, they do suffer from one drawback: at low speeds the magnetic fields are not strong enough for levitation so the trains must roll on tires until they reach a lift off velocity (howstuffworks.com).

China and Japan have the most successful commercial applications of maglev technology. In China, a maglev passenger train connects Shanghai downtown to Shanghai International Airport, a distance of 19 miles traveled at an average speed of 267 mph (howstuffworks.com). The success of this line has led to a planned expansion of an additional 99 miles to Hangzhou. In Japan, the MLX01 JR Maglev developed by the Central Japan Railway Company has reached a maximum speed of 361 mph (Guinness Book of World Records). With such enormous promise, maglev technology has the potential for future developments. Once implementation cost decreases and efficiency increases, the future of transport will be forever changed.

Tagged with: Maglev, magnetic, levitation, futuristic