A contactless transmission with magnets has been created, which also works at room temperature.

The Spanish engineers from the University of UC3M in the framework of the project MAGDRIVE created a magnetic transmission that works with virtually no friction and wear parts. The reducer created by them is designed to solve the problem of the wear of classic transmissions due to friction and the constant need for lubrication. The purpose of the development was to provide spacecraft with nodes that do not wear out for a long time, due to the need to operate the vehicles for long periods of time. However, such a device can be used in cars, on railways, in aviation.

To demonstrate the device was made two prototypes. The first is designed to work in space at ultra-low temperatures, it uses superconducting magnets and operates at a temperature of about -210 degrees. Such magnets also contribute to damping vibrations. The second prototype operates at room temperature. In the design of the gearbox, the teeth catching the gears are replaced by permanent magnets, which are attracted and repelled, forcing the mechanism to work as a regular gear.


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In an interview with Gizmag, Efren Diez Jimenez, a researcher from the UC3M engineering department, said: “The service life of such a device can greatly exceed the service life of classic gear reducers, while it can work at extremely low temperatures. Even with strong overloads, the device works fine. If the axis is suddenly blocked, the parts will simply slide relative to each other and nothing will break. The range of use of the mechanism is wide - from robotic arms and motors for positioning antennas, where precise precision of movements is required and lubrication is undesirable, to vehicles that, due to extreme temperatures or low pressure, have a long service life for mechanical parts - for example, rovers ". A separate company, MAG SOAR, was established to investigate the potential commercial use of the device.