Hyperloop Manchester, established in 2019, is a student led project focused on advancing high-speed transportation through the development of hyperloop technology. As part of their mission, the team has partnered with Goudsmit UK in recent years to access bespoke magnets and specialised engineering support. Over the past months, the team have been working towards progressing the hyperloop prototype for European Hyperloop Week 2024.
European Hyperloop Week 2024 (EHW) was a low-budget project that presented the Manchester Hyperloop team with a crucial choice: either focus on finalizing the technical design of a Halbach array and building the pod around it, or complete the finalised design and partially build the pod while working towards a more thoroughly researched full-scale system.
After careful consideration, the team chose the latter, successfully pitching two projects that were supervised internally at the University of Manchester.
Their Journey This Year
The Hyperloop Manchester team undertook two significant projects for European Hyperloop Week 2024. One project, led by Tibault Dary-Alabaster, focused on designing a high-pressure vacuum sealing system. The other, led by Jean Thomas, involved analysing a double venturi pumping and pressure system using fluid mechanics.
Jean’s project not only earned a podium finish in the Best Undergraduate Poster Awards but also contributed to both Tibault and Jean achieving first-class degrees. Their accomplishments have significantly elevated Hyperloop Manchester’s standing within the university’s mechanical engineering department.
The team faced challenges in the manufacturing phase due to setbacks in experimental tests, which prevented them from identifying precise errors in their formulae. To overcome this, they utilised data from the previous year’s project to finalize the designs for their magnetic levitation unit, which uses a passive magnetic array and an aluminium I-beam as the foundational structure for their maiden pod.
Challenges
Despite their achievements, the team encountered financial hurdles that prevented them from physically competing in European Hyperloop Week 2024 in Switzerland. The high costs of shipping the pod to and from the competition, coupled with changes in competition rules, limited their ability to secure funding for a wheel-coupled chain drive motor to test their systems earlier.
Goudsmit UK Support
At Goudsmit UK, we have been proud to support Hyperloop Manchester throughout their design process. Our expertise in manufacturing Halbach array magnets, which are essential for magnetic levitation and braking, has been integral to their progress. Additionally, our neodymium magnets and Loctite AA331 products have helped enhance the overall quality of the Hyperloop pod.
Looking Ahead
With our continued support, Hyperloop Manchester has successfully designed and built their chassis. The team is now awaiting suspension components to complete the assembly of the pod. Their braking team has finalised its design and is preparing to place orders for the necessary parts once the academic year begins.
The primary challenge that remains is the development of a propulsion unit and the integration of ancillary electronics, which will be the team’s focus this year. The team are confident that these efforts will enable Hyperloop Manchester to compete with a fully functioning pod at European Hyperloop Week 2025.
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