r this purpose. The heat side effects are unavoidable, and thus engineers have focused on the efficacy of the cooling systems rather than designing a "cooler" SCM.Severe difficulties lie in the storage of the helium vapor, and the reliquification of the vapor once it has absorbed the tremendous heat of the SCM. Currently, this has been the slowest front for progress in Maglev technology.The current thought is that using cryorefrigeration techniques which constantly cool the magnet without flashing the helium prove to be the most promising. By winding the coolant through tubes surrounding the magnet, an even, constant cooling process will be effected.This maglev diagram known as the LM-500-01, also from Linear Motion Magnetic Systems, page 338, shows many of the onboard systems relating to refrigerating the superconducting magnets. These techniques, available today, is limited only by its tremendous expense, which points toward a bottom line for Maglev technology.The Bottom Line: EconomicsEconomical considerations have historically been a huge hurdle to otherwise very promising technological advances. This certainly rings true with the SCM and Maglev. The superconducting magnets themselves cost millions, and the cooling system technologies associated with the SCM's cost millions more. While in the lab the technologies have been very interesting, the conventional systems have so far won out, merely because of costs. Essentially, we must look at the opportunity costs involved to fully come to a conclusion with regards to the efficacy of this technology. Adopting the Maglev system worldwide would have severe costs, but with a tangible payoff over the next 20 years. We would see a definite reduction in operating costs and a great leap in efficiency, but only after the initial investment in the new technology. SCM's and cooling system R&D have already cost us millions even billions of dollars, yet we are not as yet ready to commit to the Magl...
