What are the applications of magnetic levitation?

Maglev today helps circulate blood in human chests, manufactures integrated circuits with multimillion-dollar photolithography systems, measures fine dimensions with subatomic resolution, enhances wind-tunnel and plasma research, melts and mixes reactive high-temperature metals, simulates the sense of touch in haptics …

Where are maglev trains used?

While the maglev technology has been developed and touted as the future of train transportation for decades, there are only a handful of countries operating maglev trains around the world: China, South Korea and Japan.

What are the benefits of maglev trains?

The Benefits of Maglev Technology

• High Level Of Safety. Synchronized propulsion makes collisions between maglevs unimaginable.
• No Derailment.
• Reliability.
• High-Speed.
• Eco-Friendly.
• Costs and Maintenance.
• Energy Efficient.
• The Quietest Transportation System.

What basic principle is used to levitate a maglev train?

Maglev is short for Magnetic Levitation in which trains float on a guideway using the principle of magnetic repulsion. Each magnet has two poles. Now if you play with two magnets, you’ll realize that opposite poles attract, whereas similar poles repel.

What is the science behind magnetic levitation?

In Maglev, superconducting magnets suspend a train car above a U-shaped concrete guideway. Like ordinary magnets, these magnets repel one another when matching poles face each other. Here, both magnetic attraction and repulsion are used to move the train car along the guideway.

What are the three levitation techniques used for maglev trains?

As the train moves, a magnetic field repels the magnets, causing the train to levitate. There are currently three Inductrack designs: Inductrack I, Inductrack II, and Inductrack III. Inductrack I is designed for high speeds, while Inductrack II is suited for slow speeds.

How fast can full size maglev trains go?

The current fastest passenger-carrying maglev train can travel at up to 268 mph (431 km/h) and once reached 311 mph (501 km/h) in pre-launch tests. The Shanghai Maglev Train opened in April 2004 and runs 18.95 miles (30.5 km) from the center of the Pudong district of Shanghai to Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Is magnetic levitation possible?

A theorem due to Earnshaw proves that it is not possible to achieve static levitation using any combination of fixed magnets and electric charges. Static levitation means stable suspension of an object against gravity.

How does magnetic levitation work in a train?

Now, the GIR countries like China are developing maglev or floating high-speed train systems. Maglev train systems use powerful electromagnets to float the trains over a guideway, instead of the old steel wheel and track system. A system called electromagnetic suspension suspends, guides, and propels the trains.

What kind of material can maglev be used to levitate?

A form of maglev called diamagnetic levitation can be used to levitate light materials, water droplets, and even live animals. It has been used to successfully levitate a frog in 2000. The magnetic fields required for this are very high, typically in the range of 16 tesla.

How are magnets used in maglev train system?

Maglev train systems use powerful electromagnets to float the trains over a guideway, instead of the old steel wheel and track system. A system called electromagnetic suspension suspends, guides, and propels the trains. A large number of magnets provide controlled tension for lift and propulsion along a track.

What are the different types of levitation technology?

There are two important types of levitation technology: Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS): EMS (Figure 5) uses the attractive force of electromagnets placed on the guideway and on the train to achieve levitation.