In a landmark achievement for magnetic levitation technology, Chinese researchers have set a new global benchmark. Scientists from the National University of Defence Technology successfully accelerated a one-tonne vehicle to a staggering speed of 700 kilometers per hour in just two seconds on a test track.
A Record-Breaking Test Run
The dramatic test was conducted on a 400-meter track, with footage circulating on social media and Chinese news platforms showing a chassis-like vehicle zooming across, leaving a misty trail in its wake. This demonstration marks significant progress in achieving extreme acceleration and mastering high-power control systems for maglev vehicles.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post citing China's CCTV, the experiment resolved core technical challenges. These included ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric suspension guidance, transient high-power energy storage inversion, and the management of high-field superconducting magnets.
China's Decade-Long Maglev Ambition
This is not the first high-speed milestone for this research team. In January of this year, they achieved a speed of 648 km/h on the same track. The team's work, spanning over a decade, solidifies China's position at the forefront of global maglev technology development. The country's journey began thirty years ago with its first manned maglev train.
Professor Li Jie, who led the development of Beijing's inaugural commercial maglev subway line, believes this success will significantly accelerate China's push for ultra-high-speed maglev transport networks. Other Chinese institutions are also making rapid strides:
- In 2020, CRRC Qingdao Sifang tested a prototype capable of 600 km/h.
- Southwest Jiaotong University in Chengdu has developed a high-temperature superconducting maglev system targeting speeds exceeding 600 km/h.
Future Applications: From Hyperloop to Space
The implications of this technological leap are vast. The breakthrough paves the way for revolutionary transportation methods, most notably hyperloop systems operating in low-vacuum tubes. A major collaborative project is already underway towards this goal.
A partnership between the Third Research Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and North University of China has resulted in a 2-kilometer experimental line in Datong. This facility is designed to test maglev trains within low-vacuum pipelines, with an ultimate speed target of 1,000 km/h.
Beyond terrestrial travel, the technology holds promise for the aerospace sector. It could revolutionise rocket launches by creating ground-based electromagnetic launch systems that drastically reduce the fuel required during the initial takeoff phase. Furthermore, it offers unprecedented capabilities for simulating high-speed flight conditions for equipment testing right here on Earth.
