Vadodara: The concept of magnetic levitation train, commonly known as bullet train or maglev, has caught the attention of budding engineers from the city. Six students of a private engineering college have designed a prototype of this train as part of an academic project. Krutisha Patel, Akash Patel, Pratik Patel, Jay Sheth, Mihir Shah and Shalin Mehta are final year electrical engineering students of Babaria Institute of Technology. These students after almost a year's work have put together a maglev train using linear induction motor (LIM) with permanent magnets instead of electromagnets used in such systems. "This is first phase of the project that our students completed by putting together an LIM system. In the next phase, we plan to make propulsion coils needed for electromagnets. We need funds or sponsors for further research," said research guide professor Dipesh Patel, head of electrical engineering department. Patel said the maximum speed of such trains is 450 km per hour, which are a common sight in countries like Japan, France, US and China. "The model designed by our students can run up to 300 km/hr and the unique aspect is that the control system is different. As per the system, one can interchange any two of the three phase polarity which leads to reversing the current directions. This ensures that even when power supply is cut off the train is in motion and also helps in halting the train in a safer mode," he added.