Scientists at Southwest Jiaotong University in China have built a prototype testing platform for a near-vacuum high-speed maglev train that is theoretically capable of reaching speeds up to 2900 km/h or about 1,800 mph. Currently, the fastest commercially operated maglev reaches just 431 km/h and even the world record is just 581 km/hr.
According to project lead Dr. Deng Zigang, this huge increase in speed is achieved through the lack of air resistance in the near-vacuum tunnel.
“If the running speed exceeds 400 kilometers (250 miles) per hour, more than 83 percent of traction energy will wastefully dissipate in air resistance,” he says. Additionally, overcoming that air resistance is loud, making it uncomfortable for passengers.
In his team’s tunnel, they’ve brought the air pressure to 10 times lower than atmospheric pressure at sea level, drastically reducing the amount of energy needed to overcome air resistance.
Currently, the high speed is limited by the size of the testing platform, but with longer straightaways, Deng thinks 2,900 km/h, or nearly three times the speed of a commercial aircraft, could be achieved.
To give you an idea, a train like that could take you from Paris to Moscow in about an hour, meaning you could breakfast on the Champs-Élysées and be in Red Square in time for lunch.
Source: Niconico News
Screenshot: Southwest Jiaotong University
Here’s your chance to ride Japan’s maglev Shinkansen in spring, nine years before service starts
We brave fastballs from the world’s fastest (and most terrifying) pitching machine
“Japan’s slowest roller coaster” derails, passengers don’t notice
The new “Snow Turtle” train is slower than running, but at least you won’t get tired
China is trying to build an empire of electric cars—but the strategy has one huge flaw that will benefit Tesla
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
We test Daiso’s new storage container to see if it keeps rice fluffy even after freezing
Line of foreign tourists leads us to Akihabara’s meatiest fatty ramen【Taste test】
Tokyo Space-out tournament draws nearly 100 competitors, finds who’s the best at doing nothing【Video】
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in Japan
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Now bullet train geeks can ride the rare, top-secret “Doctor Yellow” train
China’s first suspended railway looks like a panda soaring through the skies
Chinese man warned by police for driving huge self-made robot on the streets of Beijing【Video】
We go to a festival on a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force base, walk on a runway, see cool planes
Shinkansen safety staff made to sit right next to bullet trains running at 300km/h
Demon Slayer passes Frozen and Your Name at Japanese box office, Shinkai comments on its success
The ultimate Shinkansen trip: Riding Japan’s bullet train network from one end to the other
As earthquakes rock the region, Kyushu Shinkansen commercial is more poignant than ever【Video】
Dragon Ball Super fan unleashes tirade of criticism against the series in viral video
Walking Bicycle Club looks to change the way we ride, angers internet with promotional video
Here are the 15 most amazing home made robots, tanks, and vehicles in China
Final Evangelion movie is finally finished, because Hideaki Anno says it is
Volcano Spawns Terrifying Tornado-Like Twisters【GIFS】
Kim Jong-un’s “little red book” of quotes is the worst joke book you can buy for 500 yen
We accidentally dropped our newly hardened smartphone on the ground, but how is it?
New Shinkansen bullet train design revealed for Nagasaki extension
Leave a Reply