MagLev (Magnetic Levitation)
The purpose of our senior research project was to create a magnetic track. We intended to first examine the properties of magnets, and then to use these properties to suspend and move a model vehicle in midair. We built a 2.5 m track made of magnets on the bottom and aluminum on the sides, as well as a vehicle made of plastic with magnets attached to the bottom to simulate a magnetic car, traveling along an imitated magnetic highway. We also attached two motors to the vehicles, by mounting them in wood braces, and glued them onto the vehicle . We then glued plactic propellers on each of the motors to propel the vehicle forward. The motors were powered by electricity, thus allowing the vehicle to be propelled.
We examined three properties of maglev vehicles, including the number of magnets on the vehicle, the number of brushes on the sides, and the length of the vehicle. We then attempted to find the combination of these three vehicles which allowed for the fasted acceleration. After all trials were completed, the car that produced the greatest acceleration was the one that was shorter, 13 cm, with more magnets, 6 on each side, and more brushes, 2 on each side.
Research Done By:
Collette Perreault
Fitzgerald
Dan Prevost
L'anse Creuse North
Warren Consolidated Schools