Magnetic Levitation

Myth or reality? Far from having only a spiritual connotation, levitation also has a real physical explaination based on magnetic properties of materials.

Superconductivity is the basis of magnetic levitation.

This phenomenon is observed in certain types of metals and ceramic materials that, when cooled to very low temperatures, have no electrical resistance and have a change in their magnetic properties (complete or partial diamagnetism).

On the opposite picture, a magnet is on stable levitation above a high Tc YBCO superconducting disc cooled with liquid nitrogen.

Applications :

Among superconductivity applications are Magnetic Levitation (MagLev) trains.

Click on the picture to watch video

Our train model:

The rails are made up of simple magnets and the train contains a YBCO superconducting disc cooled with liquid nitrogen. The train levitates above the rails and is guided by the magnetic field lines.