Uploaded April 2015 | Updated September 2026, 55 minutes ago
Maglev trains use an array of electromagnets rather than a traditional wheel and rail system. Maglevs function mainly with two different levitation systems and propulsion motors: electrodynamic suspension and electromagnetic suspension. Though maglev trains boast their fast speeds, they need a continuous source of electricity, and superconductors will be suggested as a possible material science solution. This addition will allow the maglev train to become more energy efficient and less electricity dependent to propel the train while reducing the resistivity by maintaining low temperatures.
Superconductors are different from regular metals in that superconductors have paired electrons that pass through the material very quickly. This is only possible when the material is at very low temperatures in order to prevent the atomic vibrations from interfering with the motion of the electrons. The video will expand to briefly discuss the structure, properties, and processing for several examples. This includes the need to keep the material below the critical temperature. In addition to metallic superconductors, ceramic ones will be introduced, allowing each component in the Material Science Engineering triangle (structure, properties, and processing) to be compared to one another. Unit cells of both example ceramic and metallic superconductors will be shown, and the difference in material properties such as brittleness will be listed.
Advantages of the maglev train include the energy efficiency and lower cost. Disadvantages of superconductors would be that the superconductors need to be cooled to very low temperatures, requiring extra coolant to be placed on the technology. Other aspects of their mechanical properties and the energy associated with the use of the superconductors will be explained.
There are more applications of superconductors in the medical field in MRI machines and in the Large Hadron Collider. The possibility of using superconductors wires in everyday electronics is becoming larger and will be applied to future research and other modern-day applications.
Sources are listed under the comments.
Maglev trains use an array of electromagnets rather than a traditional wheel and rail system. Maglevs function mainly with two different levitation systems and propulsion motors: electrodynamic suspension and electromagnetic suspension. Though maglev trains boast their fast speeds, they need a continuous source of electricity, and superconductors will be suggested as a possible material science solution. This addition will allow the maglev train to become more energy efficient and less electricity dependent to propel the train while reducing the resistivity by maintaining low temperatures.
Superconductors are different from regular metals in that superconductors have paired electrons that pass through the material very quickly. This is only possible when the material is at very low temperatures in order to prevent the atomic vibrations from interfering with the motion of the electrons. The video will expand to briefly discuss the structure, properties, and processing for several examples. This includes the need to keep the material below the critical temperature. In addition to metallic superconductors, ceramic ones will be introduced, allowing each component in the Material Science Engineering triangle (structure, properties, and processing) to be compared to one another. Unit cells of both example ceramic and metallic superconductors will be shown, and the difference in material properties such as brittleness will be listed.
Advantages of the maglev train include the energy efficiency and lower cost. Disadvantages of superconductors would be that the superconductors need to be cooled to very low temperatures, requiring extra coolant to be placed on the technology. Other aspects of their mechanical properties and the energy associated with the use of the superconductors will be explained.
There are more applications of superconductors in the medical field in MRI machines and in the Large Hadron Collider. The possibility of using superconductors wires in everyday electronics is becoming larger and will be applied to future research and other modern-day applications.
Sources are listed under the comments.
