Magnetic levitation, maglev, or magnetic suspension is a

method by which an object is suspended with no support other than magnetic

fields. Magnetic force is used to counteract the effects of the gravitational acceleration and
any other accelerations.

The two primary issues involved in magnetic levitation are lifting force: providing an upward force
sufficient to counteract gravity, and stability: ensuring that the system does not spontaneously slide
or flip into a configuration where the lift is neutralized.
Magnetic levitation is used for maglev trains, contactless melting, magnetic bearings and for product
display purposes

Maglev (derived from magnetic levitation) is a transport method that uses magnetic levitation to
move vehicles without touching the ground. With maglev, a vehicle travels along a guideway using
magnets to create both lift and propulsion, thereby reducing friction by a great extent and allowing
very high speeds.
The Shanghai Maglev Train, also known as the Transrapid, is the fastest commercial train currently
in operation and has a top speed of 430 km/h (270 mph). The line was designed to
connect Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the outskirts of central Pudong, Shanghai. It
covers a distance of 30.5 kilometres in 8 minutes.[1]
Maglev trains move more smoothly and more quietly than wheeled mass transitsystems. They are
relatively unaffected by weather. The power needed for levitation is typically not a large percentage
of its overall energy consumption;[2] most goes to overcome drag, as with other high-speed transport.
Maglev trains hold the speed record for rail transport. Vacuum tube train systems might allow maglev
trains to attain still higher speeds, though no such vacuum tubes have been built commercially yet. [3]
Compared to conventional (normal) trains, differences in construction affect the economics of
maglev trains, making them much more efficient. For high-speed trains with wheels, wear and tear
from friction along with the "hammer effect" from wheels on rails accelerates equipment wear and
prevents high speeds.[4] Conversely, maglev systems have been much more expensive to construct,
offsetting lower maintenance costs.

Despite decades of research and development, only two commercial maglev transport systems are
in operation, with two others under construction.[note 1] In April 2004, Shanghai's Transrapid system
began commercial operations. In March 2005, Japan began operation of its relatively low-speed
HSST "Linimo" line in time for the 2005 World Expo. In its first three months, the Linimo line carried
over 10 million passengers. South Korea and the People's Republic of China are both building lowspeed maglev routes of their own designs, one in Beijing and the other at Seoul's Incheon Airport.
Many maglev projects are controversial, and the technological potential, adoption prospects and
economics of maglev systems are often debated.[citation needed] The Shanghai system was labeled a white
elephant by rivals.[5]