Magnetic suspension and levitation train -Vana Richards -Logan Chalfant Mentors: Dr. Yusuf Hascicek & Mr. Yalcin Akin

I. Our Project

The HTS Team Tuesday morning research update meeting. Lead by our mentor, Dr. Hascicek. Attended by Yalcin Akin, our graduate student mentor, and the other in-lab researchers.

Schematics and models

Rail Systems We tested possible rail systems for durability and levitation.

Testing the Superconductors Batch 1: Appeared not to be superconducting. Batch 2: Marginally superconductive – even after oxygenation. Batch 3: Melted by its own protective epoxy coating.

Maglev Prototype

The Physics

Magnetic Flux Lines All magnetic objects produce invisible lines of force that extend between the poles.

Meissner Effect/Perfect Diamagnetism Magnetic field lines penetrate most objects. However, below their Tc and Hc , superconducting materials exclude field lines (flux).

Magnetic levitation Demonstration of the Meissner effect.

Crystal Lattice There are often imperfections in the superconductor’s lattice structure. YBCO crystal lattice structure

Flux Pinning Flux tubes penetrate the lattice and become affixed to the imperfections.

Click on the picture to start the movie. Magnetic Suspension Click on the picture to start the movie. Once pinned, an elevated magnet can suspend a superconductor beneath it.

III. The History of Magnetic Levitation Vehicles

1750 – John Mitchell conducted the first experiments measuring the magnetic forces between the poles of a magnet . The principle of magnetic force is critical to Maglev train operation.

1900 – Robert Goddard and Emile Bachelet conceive the concept of frictionless trains.

1969 – American scientist James R. Powell and Gordan T 1969 – American scientist James R. Powell and Gordan T. Danby patented the first design for Maglev trains.

1970 – German and Japanese engineers start research and development towards their versions of Maglev technology.

1990 – The initial phase of the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line commences.

2003 – The Shanghai Transrapid Maglev Line is inaugurated.

III . The Future

Maglev Trains Room temperature superconducting magnets Generating energy at faster speeds using less energy at lower cost

NASA Maglev technology could give space vehicles a “running start” to break from Earth’s gravity.

Maglev Space Propulsion Launching systems would use magnetic fields to levitate and accelerate a vehicle along a track . Reaching the end of the track, the vehicle could switch to more conventional rocket engines.

Thanks… Dr. Yusuf Hascicek Mr. Yalcin Akin Dr. Pat Dixon Ms. Gina LaFrazza-Hickey CIRL Staff NSF & NHMFL