Virgin Hyperloop One: The Future of Transportation

Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) is one of several companies around the world working to commercialize hyperloop technology and change the way that we live and travel. The VHO hyperloop system uses magnetically-levitated pods to move people or cargo through a low-pressure tube at over 600 miles an hour – think about getting from Columbus to Chicago in just 41 minutes. Pods move you directly to your destination, without stopping at other locations along the way, and the system is on-demand – you plan your journey once you’re ready to depart, allowing maximum flexibility for travelers and commuters. The system is autonomously controlled and entirely electric, with zero direct emissions – a great solution for sustainable mass transportation.

VHO built the world’s first full-system hyperloop test track at their Las Vegas Test Site in 2017, and have since performed over 400 tests of the system. Now, the team is focused on safety certification and obtaining approval to operate hyperloop systems around the country and around the world. This presentation will highlight some of the technical and materials challenges with this new technology, as well as the outlook for building a hyperloop route in the state of Ohio. Q&A session to follow the presentation.

Speaker: Kristen Hammer is the Business Development Manager for Hyperloop One, and formerly ran the Materials and Welding Engineering teams for the company. She is a central Ohio native and a graduate of The Ohio State University’s Welding Engineering program. In her current role, Kristen works with governments, private sector partners, and other stakeholders to advance projects around the US. Prior to coming to VHO, Kristen worked in the aerospace industry as part of welding engineering teams at SpaceX and GKN Aerospace.

Schedule: Check-in / Social: 5:30 PM   Dinner: 6:00 - 6:30 PM   Speaker: 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Cost: Members (CTS Societies) $25;   Non-members $30;   Students $5
*Cash bar will be available

Attendees must RSVP to this meeting. Harvey Castner - hcastner@columbus.rr.com
All reservations are final upon COB Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Make payment by cash or check (made out to AWS Columbus Section) at the door. Please identify the following on your RSVP email:
- Which technical society do you belong to?
- Are you a student?
- Any dietary restrictions?