The relationship between electricity and magnetism is intriguing. I recently purchased a BB8 Star Wars droid robot as a birthday present for my significant other. The technology behind the ‘magnetic spherical balancing robot’ is newly patented but there are other well-established uses of magnetism. In fact, magnets interest me so much that during my upcoming visit to Japan I will be travelling cross country via Bullet train, also known as the superconducting magnetically levitated train (SCMAGLEV).

The magnets are made of superconducting wire which has no electrical resistance when current flows so no energy is lost and an intense magnetic field is created. The Bullet train carries these magnets and runs in a channel known as the guideway with sidewalls containing reaction coils. One set of coils in the sidewalls are energised by an alternating current, creating a shifting magnetic field on the guideway. The on board magnets are attracted and pushed by the shifting field propelling the train forwards. As the train’s magnets pass by a special set of figure-8 coils in the guideway, this induces electric current within the coils. The repulsive and attractive force between the magnetic fields causes the train to levitate.

The train has a world record speed of 375 mph but the maximum operating speed is 200 mph. That beats my old Three Bridges – London Bridge rush-hour commute any day. I will keep my eyes peeled for all things interesting and energy-related on my travels, follow our Twitter feed for my posts #Elisa.