Swissloop

Electric mobility is a prominent topic these days, but which new technology will lead the way? One option is eVTOL aircraft, where our Bomatec magnets are already in use. Another highly promising mode of transportation is Hyperloop technology. In this system, a pod levitates within a vacuum-sealed tube, enabling almost energy-free travel. Researchers believe this technology has the potential to replace short- and medium-haul flights in the future, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. To bring Hyperloop technology to large-scale reality as soon as possible, students from ETH Zurich are working on this technology through annual research projects with Swissloop. This year, Bomatec supported the students once again, helping them achieve levitation for their pod.

We had the pleasure of attending the Swissloop Rollout 2024 and witnessing the impressive debut of the new Hyperloop pod, “Sarah Springman.” This innovative pod was met with great interest from the audience and successfully completed its first sprint at the event. Bomatec’s role in supporting Swissloop with the permanent magnets crucial for levitation was expected. What truly stands out this year is our expanded contribution: not only did we provide our expertise in assembling magnetized magnets, but we also delivered the stamped electrical steel sheet cores, or “metal teeth,” enhancing the performance of the Hyperloop Pod. These components are installed centrally between the “rails” and are used by the Pod to propel itself forward using the generated magnetic flux. During this process, unwanted eddy currents can occur, reducing efficiency. Therefore, the Swissloop team dedicated several weeks last year to assembling these “teeth” to optimize their performance. Swissloop has now utilized the stamped electrical steel sheets proposed and supplied by Bomatec as the “teeth,” which not only eliminate the need for assembly but also significantly further reduce eddy currents. The rollout event was a tremendous success, and it was impressive to see how the synergy of innovative engineering and exceptional magnets could revolutionize our transportation system. We look forward to witnessing further advancements and are excited about the breakthroughs that will emerge from this partnership.

Nikolas Jagodic Junior Project Management und Philippe Scheuber