In modern world transportation is the heart of civilization. There are different modes of transportations – train, ship, aeroplane, vehicles run on road such as bus, cars etc. In all modes of transportation fossil fuel is generally used. But the carbon emission from fossil fuel-burning-combustion engine vehicles causes environment pollution or global warming which is also a big concern in today’s world. So, primary objective has become to reduce the use of fossil fuel-burning-combustion engine vehicles in transportation as far as possible. The core idea of future transportation is to decrease emissions. For last few decades researchers have been developing new ideas to trim down carbon footprints. With the development our society the use of transportation will be higher, but the transportation should be pollution-free. For this reason, electricity and magnetism have got importance for their potential application in transport sector. Some common applications of electro-magnetic operating systems are airport moving sidewalks, radar system, GPS navigation, escalators and elevators etc. Moreover windshield wipers wipe, lock and unlock system of door of car are controlled by magnets. Researches and developments are going on to use electricity and magnets in future transport sectors as far as possible. In following paragraphs different application of electricity and magnets have been discussed.
There are significant applications of electricity in the field of transportation. This can be found in electric train which is run by electricity. Another example is electric locomotive engine which has already replaced coal or diesel engine in locomotive transportation. Use of electricity in place of fuel has drastically reduced pollution and enhanced speed of transportation systems also. Underground rail or metro rail is also controlled by electromagnetic system. New developed “Ultra capacitors” are being used to run electric cars. These types of capacitors have greater energy density than traditional batteries. Ultracapacitors are also known as electro chemical capacitors. It is generally used as energy storage in electric and hybrid drivelines of various types of vehicles. Carbon or hybrid carbon is generally used to make this ultracapacitors. The vehicle, designed by using carbon ultracapacitors, has been found to show high fuel economy and cost of the ultracapacitors is competitive with lithium-ion batteries. Ultracapacitors can be effectively utilized in fuel cell powered vehicles in which it can be used without interference electronics. Ultracapacitors, used in electric cars, is now a substitute of car-batteries or lead-acid batteries. It is fact that successful market and future development of hybrid and electric vehicle depend on the cost and performance of available energy storage technology. Use and development of ultracapacitors have given a new dimension in energy storage facility of the vehicle.
Magnets rather electro magnets are generally being used in transportation sector and these will be potentially used in future to make our life very fast and pollution free. Electromagnets are produced by electricity and these are magnetized till electricity flowing through solenoid or coil. Electromagnets are capable of creating the most powerful magnetic fields and it is capable of raising and suspending very heavy objects. The electromagnetic technology used in train is MAGLEV technology. MAGLEV is abbreviation of magnetic levitation. A MAGLEV train utilizes electromagnetism to float or levitate itself above a track which is known as a guideway. This MAGLEV train is propelled along the guideway by a moving electromagnetic field. As it is traveling without any resistance of friction, the MAGLEV train is capable to reach high rate of speed. The principle behind this technology is repulsion of same poles. Repulsion of same poles i.e. repulsion of north pole to north pole and south pole to south pole results to suspend one of two magnets in air as long as it is located over the another magnet. Train tracks are charged with electromagnetic field to achieve a strong magnetic levitation and this facilitates to levitate or suspend the identically-charged train. For this reason, more loads rather more people can be moved in quicker and easier way. Magnetic levitation (maglev) is an innovative technology in transportation sector. In place of wheels, axles and transmission this kind of high speed maglev train utilizes non-contact magnetic levitation, guidance and propulsion systems. The weight of MAGLEV train is lower due to the absence of wheels, axles and engine. For MAGLEV technology wear-free electronics replaces mechanical components and overcomes the technical burdens of wheel-on-rail technology. In spite of high speeds, passengers are safer than in other transportation systems. The electromagnetically suspended vehicle is generally wrapped by guideway and for this reason it is impossible to derail. Elevated guideways prevents any kind of obstacles to come in the way. Maglev is electrically powered, so there is no direct air pollution like other automobiles. For its non-contact technology, there is neither friction nor noise from engine. Different types of superconductor materials were invented and experimented it in the application of transport sector. In superconductor material electric current is transferred very smoothly as there is almost no resistance. In MAGLEV system this kind of material is used. In lab prototype was fabricated using superconducting coils and current which created a dreadful magnetic field. The developed repulsive force levitated the train few inches above its track. For propelling the train forward, electric current was flown through guideway coils placed on the track. It was observed that speed reached to 250 mph. Not only this, the MAGLEV train causes lesser noise and pollution than traditional rail transportation. It also uses lesser energy than traditional rail. MAGLEV train is faster than wheeled-mass-transit systems and the speed can reach about 500 km per hour. There are some commercial applications of MAGLEV system and some MAGLEV projects are being studied for feasibility in some countries. However, widespread adoption of MAGLEV has been hindered by several reasons like economic, political barriers and limitations etc.
Several projects have been done to use magnet in transport sector. Experiments have been carried out with charging systems which use the magnetic fields to transmit large electric current wirelessly between metal coils located a distance apart. The purpose of the experiments was to produce a high efficiency electric highway which charges truck, cars and other vehicles wirelessly as they cruise down road. Magnetic resonance coupling theory is the base of this technology. According to this theory two copper coils, located at a distance apart, vibrate at the same natural frequency. This coil, connected to electricity, generates a magnetic field causing vibration of second coil and invisible transfer of electricity through air from one coil to another. This technology can be used in transport sector. But highway infrastructure is needed to be redesigned and rebuilt for the implication of this technology.
New technologies applying magnetic field has given a new dimension in the transport sector. Among these new technologies “MagRail Technology” is promising upcoming technology. The developer of this technology is MTS or Magnetic Transport System Corporation. This technology utilizes permanent magnetic electrodynamics suspension or in short EDS. An electromagnetic railroad propulsion system is used in this technology. This railroad propulsion system is relatively cheaper and no emission is caused by this. No overhead wires or electric rails or track alterations are necessary in this technology. This can be significantly used in hilly areas where considerable amount of fuel is utilized, in urban areas where noise pollution is a factor, in tunnel zone where there is limited air etc. Magnetic Transport System has advantages like low cost in fuel and maintenance due to reduction of wear on wheels; high speed; ability to climb ten percent grade efficiently; good control in acceleration and braking systems etc. There is no risk of electric shock; because the motor section below vehicle is only energized during operation. Collisions are impossible. Permanent magnet powered motor is another development for future transportation. Electromagnetic propulsion technology is another application of electricity and magnets and this is potentially used in aerospace industry.
In above paragraphs various applications of electricity and magnets rather electromagnets have been discussed. When modern world is very much concern about use of fossil fuel in transportation sector and global warming, the potential application of electromagnets and electricity can be a very good alternative solution for future transportation system. This application can also make life faster and safer. Invention and continual development of ultracapacitors, MAGLEV systems, MagRail technology etc. have assured a promising future in transportation sectors. Though there are some difficulties to implement these technologies, Government of each country needs to play important roles to take initiative for adapting these new technologies in transportation sector. However, further research is going on to make these technologies more adaptable and to discover new environment friendly technologies using electricity and magnetism.
References
Peasaran, A. (2007). Proceedings from Advanced Capacitor World Summit ’07: Factors and Conditions for Widespread Use of Ultracapacitors in Automotive Applications.
San Diego, California.
Bartley, T. (2005). Proceedings from Advanced Capacitor World Summit ‘05: Ultracapacitor Energy Storage in Heavy-duty Hybrid Drive Update. San Diego, California.
Bartley, T. (2004). Proceedings from Advanced Capacitor World Summit ‘04: Ultracapacitors – No Longer Just a Technology: Real, Safe, Efficient, Available. Washington, D.C.
N.Y.S. Department of Transportation. Moving toward the 21st century: A Proposal for high speed ground transportation in the State of New York. Albany, N.Y.
Dai, H. (2005). Dynamic Behavior of Maglev Vehicle/Guideway System with Control. Department of Civil Engineering, Case Western Reserve University.
MagRail Technology -Phase 1. Retrieved from http://www.magnetictransportsystems.com/
