MAGLEV RESEARCH TO RESUME UNDER MAE'S ALBERTS

ODU researchers, led by Dr. Thomas Alberts, professor in the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering, are collaborating with researchers from Massachusetts aerospace company MagneMotion Inc. (MMI) to resume testing efforts of MAGLEV technologies on the guide-way at Old Dominion University.

In 2010, MagneMotion received a $7.9 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to test its patented maglev technology at ODU. University researchers, led by Thomas Alberts, professor of aerospace engineering, have been an integral part of the MMI effort.

ODU researchers, along with MMI, will oversee the installation of track on a 300-foot portion of the guideway near the tennis courts at Powhatan Avenue. Delivery and installation of the track and test vehicle occurred in December.

The retrofitted track will allow MMI to conduct a more comprehensive test of its maglev vehicle with help from ODU researchers. While the currently planned test will be at low speeds, MMI plans to produce a maglev vehicle that is the size of a van or small bus, and can accelerate quickly.

It is expected that work/testing will go on for many days during the week of December 19-23 and through the following month. Then testing will continue less frequently from February to June 2012.