RISING FORCE
The Magic of Magnetic Levitation
James D. Livingston
Harvard University Press, 2011
From Peter Pan to Harry
Potter, from David Copperfield to levitating toys, there is magic in
conquering gravity. In this first-ever popular introduction to “maglev”
– the use of magnetic forces to overcome gravity and friction – James D.
Livingston takes readers on a journey of discovery, from basic concepts
to today’s most thrilling applications. The
tour begins with examples of our historical fascination with levitation
and then introduces the fundamentals of gravitational and magnetic
forces, force balance and stability of levitation, eddy currents,
diamagnetism, superconductivity, sensors and feedback systems.
The book’s literally uplifting coverage of demonstrations and
applications of maglev includes flying frogs, levitated sumo wrestlers,
maglev surgery inside a living pig, and magnetic bearings in heart
pumps, uranium centrifuges, wind turbines, flywheels for energy storage,
integrated circuit manufacture, and maglev trains.
Millions of people have already experienced the thrill of
traveling in maglev trains at speeds exceeding 250 mph, and other
scientific and engineering applications of maglev are of substantial and
growing importance. The aesthetic appeal, pizzazz, and practicality of
maglev in “fighting friction by fighting gravity” will retain its magic
for many years to come.
“This book is an extensive compendium of everything you might want to
know about levitation of things both animate and inanimate. James
Livingston is a master of this genre in that he presents quite difficult
concepts with humor, history, and detail while always maintaining
technical accuracy” – Fred Fickett, Chief, NIST Magnetic Technology
Division (Ret.). “A well-written, factual
account of magnetic levitation and accompanying lore over the ages.
Rising Force is a welcome addition to Livingston’s previous books on
magnetics.” – Ralph Hollis, Research Professor, Carnegie Mellon
University. “If you read only one book this
year involving the magnetic levitation of frogs, make it this one” –
Dave Barry, humorist
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Harvard University Press (May 30,
2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0674055357 / 0-674-05535-7
ISBN-13: 978-0674055353
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
For a quick visual overview, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUoFhgJ_i6A
Harvard University Press: http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674055353
Iran Maglev Technology (IMT)
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