levitator

In view of the current interest in magnetic levitation for applications such as hovertrains (see Elektor 22 p. 2-08) it was felt that a magnetic levitator wou Id make an interesting laboratory demonstration for students. The practical difficulties of cryogenic engineering and the fate of the brass monkey led to the abandonment of the superconducting approach at an early stage of development, and the system finally decided upon was controlled ferromagnetic attraction. The system provides an amusing demonstration and an interesting introduction to feedback control systems.