MAGLEV RESEARCH GOING STRONG 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 company MagneMotion Inc. (MMI) in 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.

These ODU researchers, along with MMI, have begun managing the installation of track on a 150-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.

Work and succeeding testing occurred during the week of December 19-23 and through January. Then testing will continue less frequently from this month through June 2012.