This book provides a comprehensive overview of magnetic levitation
(Maglev) technologies, from fundamental principles through to the
state-of-the-art, and describes applications both realised and under
development.



It includes a history of Maglev science and technology showing the
various milestones in its advancement. The core concepts, operating principles
and main challenges of Maglev applications attempted across various fields are
introduced and discussed. The principle difficulties encountered when applying
Maglev technology to different systems, namely air gap control and
stabilization, are addressed in detail. The book describes how
major advancements in linear motor and magnet technologies have enabled
the development of the linear-motor-powered Maglev train, which has a high
speed advantage over conventional wheeled trains and has the potential to reach
speed levels achieved by aircraft. However, many expect that Maglev
technology to be a green technology that is applied not only in rail transportation,
but also in diverse other fields; to ensure clean transfer in LCD
manufacturing, in ropeless high speed elevators, small capacity rail
transportation, space vehicle launchers, missile testers, energy storage, and
so on. These potential applications and their unique challenges and proposed
technological solutions are introduced and discussed in depth.



The book will provide readers from academia, research institutes and
industry with insights on where and how to apply Maglev technology, and will
serve as a guide to the realization of their Maglev applications.

Hyung-Suk Han received the Ph.D. degree in
mechanical engineering from Ajou University in 1997. He is the head of
Department of Magnetic Levitation and Linear Drive at Korea Institute of
Machinery & Materials. He has worked
extensively in maglev which includes the urban maglev ECOBEE and
experimental maglev vehicle SUMA for high speed. His research interests are
dynamics simulation, magnetic levitation control and certification of maglev
vehicle performances. He has been attempting to apply maglev technology to new
applications such as clean conveyor and amusement rides.



Dong-Sung Kim received B.S. in Mechanics and
Design from Seoul National University and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from
Changwon National University, and Dr-Ing. in Mechanical Engineering from Ecole
Centrale de Nantes in 1996. For 8 years since 1997, he carried out National
Research Projects of a developing low-medium speed urban maglev vehicle, as the
Head of Vehicle Engineering Group in New Transport Technology Department at
Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials. In 2006, he was a core project
manager of Systems Engineering in the Urban Maglev (ECOBEE) Program funded by
Korean Government. He currently continues to try to promote a commercialization
and application of the urban maglev system.