Types of MAGLEV Technology

Throughout the history of magnetic levitation trains there are two main types of technology that are used. These technologies include Electromagnetic suspension (EMS) and Electrodynamic suspension. There is also another technology that has been theorised and proven mathematically but not built yet is magnetodynamic suspension.


Electromagnetic suspension uses the attractive force of electromagnets and steel rails which is the track that guides the train. The attractive upward force from the electromagnets wrapping around the track is what lifts the train.
Electrodynamic suspension uses conductive tracks that get an induced current from the train, this induced current produces an opposing magnetic field that repulses the train. This form of maglev trains is the levitation type.

The Electromagnetic suspension Transrapid train in Shanghai, China
https://www.flickr.com/photos/criminalintent/7391133386/in/photolist-cg8usf-4dQB7t-fQzPfT-fQzPjK-fQzPg8-fQzPgi-8aHKxt-JLw9F-8aHM9T-2H8Sa-8aHQnM-4DxPb-4DxNw-4DxPG-4DxNM-JLw7V-2rC72Y-6D3No5-35nEC-35nDk-5kDjR-7Lsuj9-nZfmN-nZfmQ-nZfmS/ 

- Ryan