Just two months after they conducted tests on a ‘floating train’ that used rare earth magnets, researchers from Jiaotong University of Chengdu in China have completed another successful test involving magnetic levitation. This time, researchers turned their attention to the road and tested cars.
Expanding Car Lifespans
The three-ton vehicles were able to hover around 1.4 inches off the ground due to the electromagnetic force produced by pre-installed conducting rails along a stretch of road. The research team says bringing the technology to roadways could reduce energy consumption and increase a car's lifespan. They continued by saying that a lane dedicated to maglev cars could create less traffic on the roads, improving transportation times. Xinhua, a Chinese media company, reported that eight cars were included in the tests, the latter of which saw the vehicles reach speeds of up to 143 miles per hour. To compare, a maglev bullet train just set a new world record by reaching speeds of 373 miles per hour in July. This is much faster than the line we focused on a few months ago, which can only reach speeds of 50 miles per hour. As of right now, there is no word on the research team’s next steps, but the tests were authorized by Chinese transportation officials.
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Magnets have many uses when it comes to transportation, serving as a vital component in everything from maglev trains to electric vehicles. If you need powerful neodymium magnets for a big project of your own, Apex Magnets has a wide selection for you to choose from. Be sure to stay up to date by signing up for our newsletter or by following our social media profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Pinterest.
