Research Paper: Review of Related Literature and Methodology

I. Introduction Magnetic levitation has fascinated us since it was first introduced in Sci-Fi novels and movies. Moving across distances at high speeds while vertically suspended sounds impossible. But technology has advance to a point in which it is not as farfetched as it seems. Its physics is not impossible and is quite sophisticated.

A. Research Question
Will Magnetically Levitating vehicles be more efficient in saving energy for transportation services?

B. Hypothesis
If Magnetic Levitation reduce energy as it moves over a distance in time. Then it is more efficient in energy saving for transportation.
C. Objectives of the study
The objective is to engineer prototypes of MagLev trains with different systems and comparing it to a control model to determine its convenience and efficiency in saving energy.
D. Significance
DLSU-STC has proposed a future model of its campus that requires transportation around its vast area. Energy saving transportation would be an asset to the campus' innovative purpose.
E. Limitations
 The use of scale models
 Life span of models
 Availability of materials

3. Review of Related Literature
A. Introduction
With the dramatic increase in population, transportation services using non-renewable energy cannot afford mass transit. New-Generation transportation systems are developing to meet the demand for innovative means of transportation.
Magnetic Levitation (MagLev) is a method when an object is vertically suspended with only the support of magnetic fields. The MagLev train is one of the best candidates for innovative means of transportation. The MagLev train should meet the standards of convenience, light-weighted, environment-friendly, energy saving, low-maintenance, and suitable for mass transit.
B. Body
1. Levitation
a. Electromagnetic suspension (EMS)
The Levitation is acquired through Magnetic attraction force of the guide way and the electromagnets. This method is quite unstable due to the characteristics of electromagnetic circuits. Precise air-gap control is needed to sustain uniform vertical suspension, because EMS only has a suspension height of 10mm+, high speed transit become difficult. (IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 42, No. 7)
b. Electrodynamic Suspension (EDS)
EDS Acquires Levitation through repulsion force. The magnets attached on board move along the inducing coil or conducting sheets on the guide way. The induced currents flow through the coil or conducting sheets to generate magnetic fields to levitate the train. EDS is magnetically stable that it requires no air-gap control and is suspended at around 100mm. Therefore it is suitable for high-speed transit despite the variation load.
Permanent Magnet (PM)
The PM type requires no electrical power but it is only used for small systems.

Superconducting Magnet (SCM)
The SCM type uses superconductors that require a Liquid Nitrogen or Liquid Helium supply. When the Superconductor is influenced by either of the Liquid agents, it shows a characteristic call the Meissner Effect in which it exhibits an attraction and repulsion equilibrium the enables it to be vertically suspended. However, The Liquid Nitrogen/Helium supply has chances of evaporating due to heat generated by the induced currents and may cause operation difficulty. (IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 42, No. 7) 2. Propulsion
Linear Motor System
The MagLev train receives propulsion from a Linear motor. Space time Variant Magnetic fields are generated for air-gap and induce Electromotive Force (EMF). The EMF generates currents that interact with the air-gap flux to produce thrust (Lorenz’s force)

C. Conclusion (Findings, Realizations)
MagLev Trains have a sophisticated theoretical concept but application and engineering even a prototype is difficult. MagLev Trains offers promising solution for the future of transportation. But it requires innovative construction and high maintenance.
“Once room temperature superconductors are discovered, the Earth’s magnetic field, and specifically designed mile-across magnets will propel cities into the skies”
(Michio Kaku, Physics of the Impossible)
There are many variations of the MagLev train and guide way systems and it dictates that the researchers should, at most test all these variations to determine which among the variants is most efficient in saving energy.
4. Procedure (Materials and Method) A. Describe the materials to be used

1. Permanent magnets
The Magnets will serve as the guide way path of the train. They will be utilized precisely in the propulsion system to guide the MagLev Prototypes.

The Permanent Magnet will also be used on the EMS prototype 2. Liquid Nitrogen
The Liquid Nitrogen will serve as the supply agent for the EDS-SCM Prototype

3. Superconductor
The superconductor will be used to demonstrate Electrodynamic suspension of the EDS-SCM prototype

4. The Propulsion system
The propulsion system is a series combination of Permanent magnets, conducting sheets, and inducing coils. This combination will attempt to combine 2 guidance systems for both EMS prototype and EDS-SCM prototype and avoid constructing 2 separate track set.

B. Explain how the materials are going to be prepared
• Only one propulsion system consisting of 2 types of guidance systems (The Transrapid system (for EMS prototype) and the Linear motor system (for EDS-SCM prototype) will be constructed.
• 2 MagLev Prototypes will be designed and engineered; each prototype is accord to their specific guidance system.
• The control will be a working scale replica of a modern train using a conventional rotary motor.

C. Describe the sequence of the procedures
• Construct the 2 beta version guidance systems separately to pre-emptively test each prototype before working on the actual 2 guidance system.
• The EMS prototype will be constructed first using the permanent magnets.
• Test the EMS prototype on the beta Transrapid guidance system.
• The EDS-SCM prototype will be constructed using the superconductor fused with liquid Nitrogen.
• Test EDS-SCM prototype on the beta Linear motor system.
• Construct the combined systems(if both prototype work on their beta systems)
• Test both prototype on the new propulsion system
• Collect Data results.
• Compare results to control system.

D. Explain how measurements will be made The MagLev prototypes will be measure according to Speed, Energy consumption,
Carry weight, Vibration intensity, Aerodynamic noise, vertical suspension, durability.

E. Describe the statistical procedure that will be used to analyze the results. Speed: A Speedometer will be used to measure its speed.
Energy consumption:
A voltmeter will be used to measure the electrical energy it uses.
Carry weight:
The prototype will be influenced various weights to determine its maximum load. Vibration intensity:
An accelerometer will be attached to the propulsion system to determine its vibration intensity. Aerodynamic Noise:
A qualitative assessment will be used.(Unavailable measurements to determine frequency and acoustics Vertical suspension: The height of which the prototype are levitated will be measure in mm
Durability:
We will record the time the prototypes last the following conditions: Room temperature, exposure to moist, heat and cool environments.

5. References
Websites:
http://www.superconductivity.eu/en/index.php http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/scond.html http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/meis.html http://teachers.web.cern.ch/teachers/archiv/HST2001/accelerators/superconductivity/superconductivity.htm http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/113.web.stuff/Travis/what_is.html http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/classifieds+directory/q/neodymium+magnet http://philippines.rs-online.com/web/c/?searchTerm=magnets&page-offset=40&sort-by=default&sort-order=default&view-type=List http://humantouchofchemistry.com/superconductors.htm Books/Journals/Articles:
Michio Kaku
Physics of the Impossible
New York City, Doubleday Publishing
2008

Mamoru Taniguchi
Working paper UCTC No. 102

IEEE Transaction on Magnetics, Vol. 42, No. 7
JULY 2006