Search Results (8)

The development of alternative transportation methods has become paramount in the context of sustainable urban population connectivity. The promise of hyperloop as a high-speed, low-emission travel means motivates both academic and industrial interests. The present work centers on the design of hyperloop levitation systems. A component-level optimization is outlined for the appropriate selection of levitation module geometric parameters, followed by an integration into a capsule and bogie system. Two heteropolar levitation module types are numerically studied in realistic operating conditions: a hybrid electromagnet configuration with permanent magnets and a fully active one. To give means for comparison, both configurations are designed with the aid of a general multi-objective optimization approach. For the hybrid case, a position controller is synthesized with a zero-power policy and a specific frequency response function. The active configuration features comparable behavior. Two main power consumption streams are considered: gap control and magnetic drag. While the former depends on the position control effort, the latter depends on the losses of ferromagnetic elements. The two systems are compared in smooth and irregular track conditions over the studied speed range of 400–700 km/h. This study demonstrates that the hybrid heteropolar case achieves a minimum of 97.6% in specific power consumption reduction at the maximum speed of 700 km/h under smooth track conditions. Under irregular track conditions, a benefit in average specific consumption reduction is noted up to 662 km/h for the hybrid case. The maximum reduction in specific consumption is 57.2% at the minimum speed of 400 km/h. Full article

Magnetic levitation (maglev) technology offers significant advantages for rail transport, including frictionless propulsion, reduced noise, and lower maintenance costs. However, its widespread adoption has been limited due to the need for a dedicated infrastructure incompatible with conventional rail networks. The MaDe4Rail project, funded by Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (ERJU), explores Maglev-Derived Systems (MDSs) as means to integrate maglev-inspired solutions into existing railway corridors with minimal modifications. This paper focuses on the so-called “hybrid MDS” configuration, which refers to levitating systems that can operate on existing rail infrastructure. Unlike current maglev systems, which require dedicated tracks, the proposed MDS system is designed to operate on conventional rail tracks, allowing for its compatibility with traditional trains and ensuring the interoperability of lines. In order to identify the most viable solution, two different configurations have been analysed. The evaluated scenario could benefit from the introduction of hybrid MDSs based on magnetic levitation, where a group of single vehicles, also called pods, is used in a virtual coupling configuration. The objective of this case study is to increase the capacity of traffic on the existing railway line by significantly reducing travel time, while maintaining a similar energy consumption to that of the current conventional trains operating on this line. Simulation results indicate that the hybrid MDS can optimise railway operations by taking advantage of virtual coupling to improve traffic flow, reducing travel times and energy consumption with the optimisation of the aerodynamic drag. The system achieves a balance between increased speed and energy efficiency, making it a viable alternative for future rail transport. An initial cost–benefit analysis suggests that the hybrid MDS could deliver substantial economic advantages, positioning it as a promising solution for enhancing European railway networks with minimal infrastructure investment. Full article

Magnetic nanofluids, also referred to as ferromagnetic particle levitation systems, are materials with highly responsive magnetic properties. Due to their magnetic responsiveness, excellent controllability, favorable thermal characteristics, and versatility, magnetic nanofluids have sparked considerable interest in both industrial manufacturing and scientific research. Magnetic nanofluids have been used and developed in diverse areas such as materials science, physics, chemistry and engineering due to their remarkable characteristics such as rapid magnetic reaction, elastic flow capacities, and tunable thermal and optical properties. This paper provides a full and in-depth introduction to the diverse uses of ferrofluids including material fabrication, fluid droplet manipulation, and biomedicine for the power and machinery sectors. As a result, magnetic nanofluids have shown promising applications and have provided innovative ideas for multidisciplinary research in biology, chemistry, physics and materials science. This paper also presents an overview of the device construction and the latest developments in magnetic-nanofluid-related equipment, as well as possible challenging issues and promising future scenarios. Full article

Inspired by the guidance principle in the electromagnetic levitation system, a new permanent magnet electrodynamic suspension (PM EDS) structure with ferromagnetic guidance track is proposed and analyzed in this paper. Considering the lack of effective guidance ability for the PM EDS system, we adopted the ferromagnetic guidance track as being mounted under the conductor plate. The guidance principle is studied and the implementation of the guidance function is also introduced, and the finite element method (FEM) is employed and its accuracy is confirmed via the PM EDS high-speed rotating experimental platform fabricated in our laboratory. The influence of longitudinal speed on the guidance force is taken into account, which shows that the guidance performance is enhanced more obviously at low speeds. Moreover, the influence of the guidance track parameters on the guidance performance is also analyzed, including the geometric parameters, section shape, installation position and material. The equivalent small-scale PM EDS system experimental prototype is carried out to validate the effectiveness of the ferromagnetic guidance. The proposed ferromagnetic guidance structure is demonstrated to improve the guidance performance of the PM EDS system effectively, which will offer a technical reference for the practical engineering application of the PM EDS system. Full article

Carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles (Fe@C) with a mean diameter of 15 nm have been synthesized using evaporation–condensation flow–levitation method by the direct iron-carbon gas-phase reaction at high temperatures. Further, Fe@C were stabilized with bovine serum albumin (BSA) coating, and their electromagnetic properties were evaluated to test their performance in magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) through a specific absorption rate (SAR). Heat generation was observed at different Fe@C concentrations (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL) when applied 331 kHz and 60 kA/m of an alternating magnetic field, resulting in SAR values of 437.64, 129.36, and 50.4 W/g for each concentration, respectively. Having such high SAR values at low concentrations, obtained material is ideal for use in MHT. Full article

A magnetic levitation isolation system applied for the active control of micro-vibration in space requires actuators with high accuracy, linear thrust and low power consumption. The magneto-force-thermal characteristics of traditional electromagnetic actuators are not optimal, while actuators with a Halbach array can converge magnetic induction lines and enhance the unilateral magnetic field. To improve the control effect, an accurate magnetic field analytical model is required. In this paper, a magnetic field analytical model of a non-equal-size Halbach array was established based on the equivalent magnetic charge method and the field strength superposition principle. Comparisons were conducted between numerical simulations and analytical results of the proposed model. The relationship between the magnetic flux density at the air gap and the size parameters of the Halbach array was analyzed by means of a finite element calculation. The mirror image method was adopted to consider the influence of the ferromagnetic boundary on the magnetic flux density. Finally, a parametric model of the non-equal-size Halbach actuator was established, and the multi-objective optimization design was carried out using a genetic algorithm. The actuator with optimized parameters was manufactured and experiments were conducted to verify the proposed analytical model. The difference between the experimental results and the analytical results is only 5%, which verifies the correctness of the magnetic field analytical model of the non-equal-size Halbach actuator. Full article

In this paper, a new analytical method using Lagrange equations for the analysis of magnetic levitation (MagLev) systems is proposed, using Thomson’s jumping ring experiment. The method establishes the dependence of the primary and induced currents, and also the equilibrium height of the levitating object on the input voltage through the mutual inductance of the system. The mutual inductance is calculated in two ways: (i) by employing analytical formula; (ii) through an improved semi-empirical formula based on both measurements and analytical results. The obtained MagLev model was analyzed both analytically and numerically. Analytical solutions to the resulting equations were found for the case of a dynamic equilibrium. The numerical results obtained for the dynamical model under transient operation show a close correspondence with the experimental results. The good precision of the analytical and numerical results demonstrates that the developed method can be effectively implemented. Full article

The research of ground high speed systems has been popular, especially after the announcement of Hyperloop concept, and the analysis of the suspension structure is critical for the design of the system. This paper focuses on the design and analysis of a plate type electrodynamic suspension (EDS) structure for the ground high speed system. The working principle of proposed whole system with functions of levitation, guidance and propulsion is presented, and the researched EDS structure is composed of permanent magnets (or superconducting magnets) and non-ferromagnetic conductive plates. Levitation and guidance are achieved by forces generated through the motion of the magnets along the plates. The plate type EDS structure is analyzed by three-dimensional (3D) finite element method (FEM) in ANSYS Maxwell. Structure parameters that affect the EDS performances are investigated, which include dimensions of magnets and plates, plate material, the relative position between magnets and plates, and arrangement of magnets. The properties of forces are discussed, especially for the levitation force, and the levitation working point is decided based on the analysis. Levitation-drag ratio of the plate type structure is investigated, and it improves with the increasing of vehicle velocity. The analysis results indicate that the plate type EDS structure is feasible for applications in ground high speed systems. The following study will focus on the dynamic research of the EDS system. Full article