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The Use of Semiconductors On Maglev Trains

The document discusses the use of semiconductors in maglev trains. It begins with a brief history of semiconductors from their invention in the transistor to modern uses in superconductors. Maglev trains are then discussed, how they work using magnetic levitation, and how superconductors allow for stronger magnetic fields enabling high-speed travel. Semiconductors called superconductors complete the maglev system by channeling electrical current without resistance, making magnetic levitation practical and allowing maglev trains to travel at extremely fast speeds.

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715 views5 pages

The Use of Semiconductors On Maglev Trains

The document discusses the use of semiconductors in maglev trains. It begins with a brief history of semiconductors from their invention in the transistor to modern uses in superconductors. Maglev trains are then discussed, how they work using magnetic levitation, and how superconductors allow for stronger magnetic fields enabling high-speed travel. Semiconductors called superconductors complete the maglev system by channeling electrical current without resistance, making magnetic levitation practical and allowing maglev trains to travel at extremely fast speeds.

Uploaded by

akios_saito
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© © All Rights Reserved
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THE USE OF SEMICONDUCTORS ON MAGLEV TRAINS

1. INTRODUCTION
Semiconductors have been through a very great growth since the early of 18th century. It
started with the invention of a transistor in a telephone by Bell Telephone Laboratories on
1948, and the latest is the superconductor in the Maglev trains. Without being noticed by
most of the people, the application of semiconductor becomes extremely important in our
current life. Semiconductor obviously made our life easier by shortening the time to process
data compared to e.g. the time of vacuum tube technology. So, as an engineer, we should
have a good understanding about this so that more innovative and creative ideas could be
produced in the future.
OBJECTIVE
We are going to:

Understand the history, meaning, and function of semiconductor.

Critically analyze and study the history and the growth of Maglev trains technology.

To study the application of semiconductor in engineering perspective especially in the


Maglev trains technology.

2. DISCUSSION
3.1 Meaning, history, and function of semiconductor
Research about semiconductor had already begun in 19th century where people during
that time still studying and recording the phenomenal of semiconductor. According to
(Morris, p12) the first recorded effect that can be describes as semiconductor behavior was
the observation by M.Faraday (UK) in 1833. He recorded that silver sulphide, unlike metals,
exhibited a negative temperature coefficient. The theory was then expanded by E.Becquerel
(Paris) in 1839 described that the effect of a voltage being generated at a junction between a
semiconductor and an electrolyte when illuminated. This theory was used to create the first
solar cell in the world. In 1904, J.A. Fleming (UK) invented the vacuum tube diode (no

semiconductor involved) and brought rectifying devices into commercial use. In 1926, L.O.
Grondahl and P.H. Geiger (USA) found rectifying properties in a (semiconducting) copper
oxide-copper junction and by 1938 W. Schottky (Germany) developed a theoretical
explanation for it. Robin Morris then added that the most important external factor that
contributes to the rapid growth of semiconductor devices was the thermionic valve industry.
(Morris, p12)
3.2 History and the growth of bullet train technology

Figure 1: The earliest Maglev train design

An author from Hungary mentioned in his research (http://hubpages.com/hub/SemiconductorIndustry) that a fast and efficient transport is the key to a global economy. This is the idea that
helped our engineers back in the middle of 19th century to invent the Maglev trains. The Maglev
trains are often called as bullet trains because of their bullet like shape and the fact that they
can go extremely fast with a great efficiency. By having the Maglev trains, the companies and

industries are free to employ workers from rural areas as the time for them to travel will be
shorter and the transportations of goods and supplies also become much easier.
Japan opened the world's first high-speed rail line, between Tokyo and Osaka, in time for the
1964 Olympics. Shinkansen, the first Maglev train invented, now travel at speeds up to 185 miles
per hour over some 1,500 miles of rail lines across the country. Italy was then credited with
Europe's first high-speed line, opened between between Rome and Florence in 1978. Today
trains also race through Spain, Germany, Belgium, Britain and France at speeds up to 150 miles
per hour or more, making most Amtrak lines resemble a Disneyland monorail in comparison.
Taiwan has also climbed on board, and fast-growing China has plunged into high-speed rail in a
big way. Trains hit 217 miles per hour along a new, 75-mile route between Beijing and Tianjin
built for the 2008 Olympics, and maglev (magnetic levitation) trains blast by at 268 miles per
hour between Shanghai and its airport. Concerns over cost have slowed the addition of more
maglev lines, but conventional high-speed lines are being built in China at a frenetic pace. (Time
Magazine, James)

Figure 2: The latest Maglev train design

3.3 Application of semiconductor on the bullet train technology


The bullet train works on a principle of electromagnetic theory. First, the theory of magnetic
levitation comes in where they say that magnets are used to suspend objects in midair. This is
how they lift the bullet train. The friction is virtually eliminated by this principle, and thats
why the bullet train can travel very fast. The design of both the body and the rail are specific.
The magnet on the rail is fixed into place, while the magnet on the body levitates over the rail.
So, basically the body and the rail are separated by approximately an inch from each other
because of this magnetic effect. Then here comes the part where advanced semiconductors called
superconductors complete the system. Superconductors are metallic materials at very low
temperature that can literally channel the flow of current without resistance. It make the
magnetic levitations practical and economical because magnetic flux are entirely absent from the
superconducting metal. A superconducting magnetic medium creates a much stronger repulsive
force for a set magnetic level than ordinary magnets do. (DeGunther, p 320)

4.0 Conclusion
We manage to give understanding about the meaning of semiconductor and how it
works. We also managed to study details about semiconductors application on bullet train.
The information gained from this review can be used by peoples especially engineering
students as an inspiration for them to come up with more efficient and brilliant ideas for the
coming futures. Who knows that one day Malaysia itself could have its own bullet train?
5. References

Books

Alternative Energy for Dummies By Rik DeGunther


Popular Science Aug 1979

Journals

http://www.nit.eu/czasopisma/JTIT/2010/1/3.pdf

Websites

http://hubpages.com/hub/Semiconductor-Industry
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1892463,00.html

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