Dr. Ludwig Schultz

Abstract:

By cooling a superconductor in a magnetic field the field configuration can be permanently frozen in the material. Offering this field configuration by a continuous magnetic track allows superconducting magnetic levitation along this track. Due to the attracting and repelling forces it is passively stable without any electronic control to suspend a vehicle which can hang under the track or is standing upright. Due to this intrinsic stability, the levitation itself does not consume any energy. These are perfect conditions for a rail-bound system like Hyperloop, an individual transport with cabins for 4 to 5 passengers, requested call by call. Also mass transportation is possible. The vehicles will be levitated without friction or noise over a track constructed of rare-earth permanent magnets. In this presentation we will report on SupraTrans II, a  research and test facility for such a transport system using bulk high-temperature superconductors in the levitation and guidance system, in combination with a permanent magnetic track,  which had originally been set up at IFW Dresden and can now be visited at KIT Karlsruhe. A  vehicle for 2 passengers, equipped with linear drive propulsion, noncontact energy supply, second braking system, and various test and measurement systems is running on an 80 m long oval driveway. In the presentation, the principle of superconducting levitation by flux pinning in bulk high-temperature superconductors will be described. Based on this, an overview of the SupraTrans II research facility and future directions of superconductivity­-based magnetic levitation and bearing for automation technology, transportation, and medical treatment under enhanced gravity will be given. Also the physics behind the “Back to the Future“ superconducting hoverboard, recently presented by Lexus, will be described.