The Science Behind Maglev Trains and Their Incredible Speed

How do maglev trains work, and could they eventually be faster than airplanes? This TED-Ed video explores the technology behind high-speed rail, from Japan’s original Shinkansen to futuristic magnetic trains that can reach speeds of hundreds of kilometers per hour.

The video explains the three major factors that allow modern high-speed trains to reach more than 300 km/h: powerful electric engines, aerodynamic designs, and specialized infrastructure featuring long, straight tracks with gentle curves and no road crossings.

Then things get even more interesting with magnetic levitation. Instead of wheels rolling along rails, maglev trains use magnetic fields to lift the train slightly above the track, eliminating wheel-to-rail friction. With enough runway, these trains could potentially reach 430 km/h or even a theoretical 600 km/h.

Of course, going ridiculously fast comes with a few problems. At 300 km/h, more than 80% of a train’s energy can be spent fighting air resistance, while building the enormous stretches of straight, carefully engineered track required for these speeds is incredibly expensive and difficult.

So, could the train of the future make airplanes look slow? Maybe. But before your next cross-country trip involves floating through a vacuum tube at 600 km/h, there are still a few engineering and financial hurdles to overcome.

Daily Deals Drop: LEGO NASA Rover, Soundcore Q20i ANC Headphones, GRECELL 999Wh Power Station and Solar Panel, and MORE!

Hot Deals for August 26

For today’s daily deals drop (August 26, 2026) here are somes of the best deals we stumbled on while browsing the web this morning! Please note that Geeks are Sexy might get a small commission from qualifying purchases done through our posts. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also, prices are accurate at the time of posting and are subject to change.

–Soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Price: $69.99 $39.99
Hybrid ANC over-ear headphones with hi-res audio and deep bass. Offer long battery life, customizable sound, and a comfortable wireless listening experience.

–TECKNET Wired Gaming Keyboard, RGB Backlit Keyboard with Metal Panel Design
Price: $31.99 $21.98
Level up your setup with this wired gaming keyboard, featuring a durable metal base, ergonomic design with wrist rest, customizable backlighting, quiet switches, and anti-ghosting. It’s also spill-resistant and includes dedicated multimedia controls for added convenience.

–LEGO Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle LRV Building Set
Price: $219.99 $175.96
Build a detailed piece of space history with this LEGO Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle set. With 1,913 pieces and authentic rover features like suspension, steering, scientific tools, and equipment attachments, it’s a fantastic display piece and project for NASA and space fans.

–eufy C31 Security Indoor/Outdoor Camera with 360° Pan&Tilt, AutoTracking
Price: $59.99 $39.98
Protect your home day and night with this indoor/outdoor security camera, featuring 360° pan and tilt, AI auto-tracking, full-color night vision, 24/7 recording, and local storage.

–GRECELL 999Wh Portable Power Station
Price: $379.99 $279.96
Power your essentials wherever you go with this portable power station, offering plenty of capacity for camping, RV trips, home backup, and more! It can power multiple devices at once, supports solar charging, and features built-in safety protections, a wireless charging pad, and an emergency LED light.

–GRECELL 200W High Efficiency ETFE Foldable Solar Panel for Portable Power Station
-Price: $249.99 $149.98
Take your portable power setup off-grid with this 200W foldable solar panel, featuring high-efficiency monocrystalline cells, adjustable kickstands, and broad compatibility with portable power stations.

–ThermoMaven Smart Bluetooth Wireless Meat Thermometer, 10X Enhanced Sub-1G Signal and Stability, Standalone Display Base, Certified Accuracy ±0.5°F, WiFi Unlimited Range for BBQ, Oven, Smoker, Grill
Price: $59.99 $25.99 (Use Promo Code 9322B2M9 at Checkout)
Cook every steak, brisket, or roast to perfection with this smart wireless meat thermometer, featuring ±0.5°F certified accuracy, unlimited Wi-Fi monitoring, a standalone charging base, and a strong, reliable signal.

–Aquasonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush with 8 Heads & Case
Price: $49.95 $29.95
High-powered electric toothbrush with 40,000 VPM and multiple modes. Deep cleans your teeth with smart timing and long-lasting value thanks to extra brush heads.

–BLACK+DECKER dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Price: $32.99 $24.99
Compact cordless handheld vacuum with strong suction. Perfect for quick cleanups in your car or around the house.

–Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription
Price: $299.95 $49.97
Headway Premium Lifetime Subscription is now just $49.97 (regularly $299.95)! Get lifetime access to 2,000+ book summaries, with new titles added monthly, plus audio versions, personalized learning plans, quizzes, highlights, and more.

–Microsoft Office Professional 2024 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook, Onepoint)
Price: $249.99 $54.99 (78% OFF!)
Why pay a monthly subscription when you can pay just one time?

–Microsoft Office Professional 2019
Price: $19.97

–Microsoft Windows 11 Pro or Home – $9.97

Add a Little Force to Your Lunch With These Lightsaber Salt and Pepper Mills

Add a little Force to your lunch with these amazing lightsaber salt and pepper mills!

Everyone from denizens of the Death Star to the irregular regulars at the Mos Eisley cantina would appreciate a little extra flavor, so these Lightsaber salt and pepper mills are a great idea no matter where your travels take you. Not as clumsy or random as a regular salt and pepper shaker, these elegant grinders have a ceramic mechanism you can adjust from fine to coarse. These mills are made from high-quality stainless steel, and their exteriors are durable ABS plastic molded to look like your favorite Jedi weapon. Each runs on four AA batteries (not included). Set of two grinders — one red and one blue.

[Star Wars Lightsaber Salt and Pepper Mills]

Please note that Geeks are Sexy might get a small commission from qualifying purchases done through our posts (as an Amazon associate or a member of other affiliate programs.)

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past Trailer Teases Geralt’s Final Chapter

The first trailer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past is finally here, and it looks like Geralt has one last adventure ahead of him. Check out the official teaser trailer below!

Announced during Gamescom 2026, Songs of the Past will bring us back to the Continent for a huge new paid expansion, created in collaboration with Fool’s Theory. Geralt will also get a brand-new weapon to play with: a chain. ⛓️

But the biggest news? This is officially being billed as Geralt’s final adventure. The DLC will help bridge The Witcher 3 and The Witcher 4, with Geralt eventually passing the torch to Ciri.

The expansion is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in 2027.

After everything Geralt has been through, saying goodbye is going to hurt a little.

Are you ready for one last adventure with the White Wolf?