MADHAV INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE GWALIOR

(A Govt. Aided UGC Autonomous Institute Affiliated to RGPV, Bhopal)

NAAC Accredited with A++ Grade.

A
Project report
on

Role of superconductors particularly Niobium titanium alloy-

based superconductor in Maglev train.

Submitted by -

Akash Kumar Sahu (0901IT231005)

Akhil Sahu (0901IT231006)
Akshat Chaurasia (0901IT231007)
Akshata Lokhande (0901IT231008)
Aman Jha (0901IT231009)

Under the guidance of

Dr. Shailendra Kumar Dwivedi
(Assistant Professor)

Department of IT
Session July- Dec 2023
 List of content :-

Problem statement………………………………...….……...3

Introduction…….……………………………………………4

Application and working principle.…………...…………...6-8

Advantages………………………….…………...…………...8

Reference……………………………...……………………...9

Declaration……………………………………….....………10
 Problem Statement:

Role of superconductors particularly Niobium

titanium alloy-based superconductor in Maglev
train.
 Introduction:
Maglev is a system of train transportation that is
levitated along a guideway through the use of magnetic
forces. By levitating, maglev trains remove the rail-to-
wheel contact present in conventional railways,
eliminating rolling resistance.

Superconducting coil is one of the most important

equipment of for maglev trains, which enables the train
to get up, push and guide. The superconducting material
used in Japan is a superconducting wire made of the
superfine niobium-titanium alloy multi-core wire
embedded in the copper bus.

What are Superconductors & super-magnets?

The electrical resistivity of many conducting metals and
alloys drops suddenly to zero when the materials are
cooled to a sufficiently low temperature called critical
or transition temperature. This phenomenon is known as
superconductivity.
These Superconducting materials, when cooled to
cryogenic temperatures (around -269°C or -452°F), lose
all electrical resistance and can generate incredibly
strong magnetic fields.
Niobium-Titanium (Nb-Ti) alloy are most commonly
used super magnets.

Why super magnets?

1) Zero resistance: Superconductivity is characterized

by zero resistance. To be precise, when the material is
in the superconducting state, its DC resistance is zero,
and it can transmit electrical energy without loss.

2) Completely diamagnetic (Meissner effect):

Superconductors are not “ideal conductors” in the
classic sense. Even if the external magnetic field is
small, when the superconductor is cooled below the
superconducting transition temperature, the magnetic
field lines of the external magnetic field will be repelled
from the superconductor, and the magnetic field lines
cannot enter the superconductor, and the magnetic flux
in the superconductor is zero.
Application and working principle

How does it work?

When these electromagnets interact with stationary

electromagnets or loops of conductive material
embedded in the U-shaped guideway. The opposing
poles of the magnets immensely repel each other,
creating a levitating force that lifts the train several
centimetres above the guideway.

Propulsion:

1. Electromagnetic Forces cause propulsion coils on

the guideway done with electricity, creating
changing magnetic fields.

2. Eddy Currents & Levitation: These changing fields

induce eddy currents in the metallic loops under the
train, generating electromagnetic forces that propel
it forward without any physical contact.
Why Niobium-titanium Alloy?
Cost-effective: Nb-Ti alloy is relatively inexpensive
compared to other high-temperature superconductors,
making it a practical choice for large-scale
infrastructure projects like Maglev trains.

Critical temperature: While requiring cryogenic

cooling, NbTi's critical temperature (the temperature at
which it becomes superconducting) is relatively high at
around 9.2 K (-263.8°C), facilitating more manageable
cooling systems.

Magnetic field strength: Nb-Ti alloy can generate

strong magnetic fields even at relatively low operating
currents, further contributing to the efficiency of
Maglev technology.

Advantages of using Maglev Trains

Reduced Energy Consumption: Superconducting

materials facilitate the efficient generation of magnetic
fields, resulting in reduced energy consumption
compared to conventional trains. As superconductors
have zero resistance, the power needed to maintain the
magnetic field is much lower, leading to improved
energy efficiency.

Enhanced Stability and Safety: Superconducting

Maglev systems offer greater stability and safety due to
the inherent properties of superconductors. The
magnetic levitation ensures that the train is suspended,
reducing friction and wear on the track while also
allowing for smoother rides and reduced noise levels.

High-Speed Capabilities: Superconducting Maglev

trains have the potential for higher speeds compared to
conventional rail systems due to reduced friction and
contact with the track. The lack of physical contact with
the track eliminates issues like wheel-rail friction,
allowing for faster and more efficient travel.
 References:

1. Google.com

2. Wikipedia.com

3. Resp. Professors

4. AI productivity tools

5. Books and reference material

 Declaration:

We hereby declare that the project work entitled "Role of

superconductors particularly Niobium titanium alloy-based
superconductor in Maglev train" submitted to Dr.
Shailendra Kumar Dwivedi, is a record of an original
work done by us under the guidance of Dr. Shailendra
Kumar Dwivedi sir.

Akash Kumar Sahu (0901IT231005)

Akhil Sahu (0901IT231006)

Akshat Chaurasia (0901IT231007)

Akshata Lokhande (0901IT231008)

Aman Jha (0901IT231009)