Of the numerous innovations anticipated by the 1989 classic flick Back to the Future Part II, none has blended our collective imagination more than the Mattel Hoverboard, energetically ridden by Marty McFly through the avenues of 2015 Hill Valley.

A Hoverboard is a levitating board used for individual transportation as shown in the Hollywood flicks - Back to the Future Part II and III. Basically, Hoverboard resembles a "skateboard without wheels." In the recent past a few companies have come up with conceptual Hoverboards design that work on the magnetic levitation technology and attempt to give a same effect as depicted in the sci-fi movies.

How the technology work

It uses magnetic levitation or maglev to accomplish frictionless development. Liquid nitrogen-cooled superconductors are combined with a magnetic surface to repel gravity. The technology is likewise being utilized as a part of mass rapid transportation frameworks, for example, the Shanghai Maglev Train. Also in Japan, the SCMaglev test train recently reached a top speed of 375 Mph working on the same maglev technology.

Meissner Effect

With a superconductor you don't need to have an oscillating magnetic field. Rather you have something many refer to as the Meissner Effect. Meissner effect says when you take a magnet close to the superconductor; it incites supercurrents in superconductor, and creates a magnetic field on the opposite side of the superconductor which repels the magnet. Hence if you bring a small permanent magnet close to super conductor, due to the repulsive forces the magnet is levitated above the superconductor. The suspended magnet can be moved, spun and oscillate. Levitation current in the super conductor that meets zero electrical resistance will adjust to keep the magnet suspended.

Recently, LEXUS has presented a Hoverboard concept called SLIDE. It is like a skateboard that floats just above the ground and is using the same Maglev technology as discussed above. Apart from LEXUS an American startup Arx Pax has also developed a Hoverboard called Hendo Hoverboard. Hendo Hoverboards are powered with battery powered disc-shaped hover engines induce an opposing magnetic field in the surface substrate below that provides lift, and thus levitates board off the ground.

Though the use of mglev technology for hoverboard is really fascinating, for example LEXUS Slide video shows how you can float on air with their hoverbaords, yet it is quite in its nascent stage and at this point is difficult to predict or comment on the commercial availability or utility of these products. But one thing is for sure; today we have a real, working hoverboard as we had seen in Sci-Fi movies and the fact that industry is pursuing this technology quite seriously who knows it may turn out to be a commercially viable product and some day we may see people floating on the streets instead of walking.

By: Rishu Chhabras - Assistant Professor; Shubham Mehta (1410991574) &
Shubham Sharma (1410991575) - Students, Chitkara University, Punjab.

References:

1. http://www.wired.com
2. http://theverge.com
3. http://www.lexus-int.com/amazinginmotion/slide