One of the challenges of hyperloop relies on the sustainability of the infrastructure. High-demanding requirements in terms of design present a barrier for feasibility.
HyperMat aims to develop and validate experimentally materials and solutions for the hyperloop infrastructure, more precisely the tubular structure, braking, levitation and guidance.
The project presents a number of technology innovations in new materials beyond the current state of the art. Such innovations can be summarised as follows:
– A tube envelope based on sustainability criteria, using steel as the main material due to its recyclability, with integration of photovoltaic solar cells for energy generation to be used for the vacuum, communication and signalling systems.
– New and disruptive multi-metallic products for hybrid application in levitation, guidance and braking. In HyperMat, new multi-metallic materials are developed to fulfil magnetic repulsion present in light metals such as aluminium, together with resistance to friction braking attrition in steel.
– New grades of steel suited to the hyperloop levitation system in the tube. This is based on a combination of permanent magnets with the possibility to adjust the strength by using coils (electromagnets).
– New grades of stell specifically tuned to the magnetic and friction braking system, capable to fulfil the demanding conditions of braking ultra-high-speed vehicles (>500km/h).
– Design and implement a lab testing prototype for levitation and braking materials capable to test at ultra-high-speeds (>500km/h) in a relevant environment.
Acronym: HyperMat
Title: Development of materials and technology for hyperloop infrastructure.
ID: CPP2021-008690
Budget: 896.436,13 €
Duration: 36 months (01/05/2022 – 30/04/2025)
Programme: Public-private partnership projects 2021 – NGEU
Partners: Arcelor Mittal, Zeleros, Idonial Fundation, Universidad de Oviedo (UNIOVI)
Funding: Project CPP2021-008690 is financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and European Union-NextGenerationEU/PRTR.
About Zeleros
Zeleros is the leading Spanish company in the development of hyperloop technologies that offers electrification and automation solutions in the field of mobility in sectors such as marine, aerospace, defence or logistics, among others.
Pioneers in the transition to a smarter and cleaner mobility, Zeleros presents itself as an electrification and automation partner, offering a cross-cutting, customized, and Spain-branded service. Thanks to its track record in disruptive projects such as hyperloop, they have acquired know-how that allows them to offer agile engineering in complex electrification projects or with still very traditional processes, accompanying companies from start to finish and with a clear focus on efficiency and sustainability.
Zeleros is supported by renowned industrial players from around the world such as ACCIONA, Elewit, EIT Innoenergy, CAF, ITP Aero, ArcelorMittal, or Capgemini Engineering, as well as private investors such as Angels Capital (Spain), Plug and Play (USA), Road Ventures (Switzerland), and Goldacre (UK), who have supported the project to date. Together with them, the company has also received support from European funds and public bodies such as the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities; the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism and the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge through the PERTE-VEC, as well as from the Generalitat Valenciana and the Valencian Innovation Agency.
Additionally, Zeleros collaborates with research centers such as CIEMAT, UPV, UPM, and is active in the USA, the Middle East, and North Africa and Asia, to achieve global impact and reach potential customers.
