Research
Research the technologies that enable hyperloop
EuroTube partners with universities and industry companies to develop or adapt technologies that can enable aspects of the hyperloop - and serve specific industrial use cases already today. Whether it is new materials, the use of novel construction methods, or the use of equipment designed for different purposes for the hyperloop environment, EuroTube is assembling the puzzle, piece by piece.
Focus on safety and cost efficiency
Infrastructure is the primary bottleneck of hyperloop technology. EuroTube's research looks to prove the feasibility and develop new solutions to make hyperloop not only work in a test setting, but enable the large-scale deployment in a cost-efficient and safe manner.
Improve the sustainability of hyperloop infrastructure
Through the use of energy efficient propulsion, the use of circular construction materials and concrete with CO2 absorbtion, EuroTube looks to improve the environmental footprint of the infrastructure.
Shell project
Our engineers develop a one-of-a-kind sustainable shell for the transport of tomorrow.
If we want to build a network of vacuum transport tubes across entire continents, we need an economical and sustainable solution for safe and airtight shells. Motivated by the potential offered by innovative composite materials such as textile-reinforced and ultra-high strength concrete, EuroTube has partnered with leading academics and industrial companies to promote their technological sustainability. Together, we have developed and tested a shell pipe concept that combines the positive properties of concrete, steel and polymers in a composite structure to meet the high demands.
Airlock system
Fast and safe transition between ambient pressure and near vacuum is key.
Vacuum transport systems require a new class of vacuum solutions including a wide range of vacuum valve products and airlocks. EuroTube's strategic collaboration with Utilities Valves, a globally renowned expert in innovative large-size valve design technology and manufacture, will involve the creation of a custom high security vacuum isolation valve for the DemoTube test track. Together with UV, EuroTube will study the long-term behavior and wear of hyperloop components, offering valuable insights for optimization.
Aerodynamic Optimization
Optimizing aerodynamics is essential for energy-efficient travel.
Even in low-pressure hyperloop vehicles traveling at high speeds encounter drag and pressure forces that increase energy demands on propulsion systems. Optimizing aerodynamics in these conditions is essential for energy-efficient travel. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to analyze the pressure, temperature, and flow fields around the vehicle. Inspired by shock mitigation techniques in tunnel systems, we are investigating passive flow control (PFC) strategies, such as specialized materials and optimized vehicle shapes, to lower drag and improve efficiency in hyperloop systems.
Thermal Simulation for Hyperloop Vehicles
One of the biggest technical challenges for hyperloop vehicles is cooling.
The vacuum environment isolates the vehicles completely, making convective heat dissipation ineffective. EuroTube has built a digital twin of the vehicle’s energy system, which helps us understand the thermal effects. Through sensitivity analysis, we can identify key areas where adjustments could significantly reduce heat waste. To enable this, EuroTube created a modular collection of mathematical models representing individual components of a hyperloop vehicle. By adjusting parameters in this system model, EuroTube can observe how changes impacted KPIs such as efficiency, power consumption, and current flow. This provided valuable insights into how individual components interact and affect overall performance, and how the thermal systems need to be designed to limit and mitigate the heat issue.
Vacuum Lab
The EuroTube R&D Vacuum Lab is a state-of-the-art facility advancing rough vacuum technology research, with applications tailored for validation and certification of hyperloop systems as well as aerospace systems and next-generation transport infrastructure. Operating at pressures as low as 1 mbar, the lab’s specialized chambers enable testing and validation of components, vehicles, and systems under custom environmental conditions. Our expert team specializes in vacuum compatibility testing, leakage detection, heat transfer analysis, and can support development activities with tailored solutions through custom-built chambers. As an open platform, the lab welcomes academic and industry partners to collaborate on experimental designs, leveraging our extensive experience in testing campaigns with leading European universities and companies.
Publications
- Leng, N., Scherrer, D. and Ehwald, J. (2022) Pre-study on the demand & potential of hyperloop in the trinational region of the EuroAirport. EuroAirport and EuroTube Foundation, Switzerland.
- Pareschi, G., Ehwald, J., Juge, A., Deb, R., Benedetti, L., de Morsier, D., Guo, B., Pouget, J., Beckert, P. and Bauer, C. (2022) Potential analysis for vacuum transport technologies in public transport in Switzerland: Phase 1: Life-cycle analysis with focus on energy consumption and environmental impact of a vacuum transport infrastructure, Federal Office of Transport, project number: 237.
- Pareschi, G., Ehwald, J., Leng, N., Beckert, P. and Guo, B. (2023) Potential analysis for vacuum transport technologies in public transport in Switzerland: Phase 2: Life-cycle analysis with focus on energy consumption and environmental impact of a vacuum transport infrastructure, Federal Office of Transport, project number: 237.
- Guo, B., Pouget, J., Juge, A., Pareschi, G., and Chevailler, S. (2023). Hyperloop MVDC Electrification System: Modeling, Configuration, and Performance Analysis, paper presented at 2023 IEEE PowerTech, Belgrade, Serbia.
- Dallasega, P., Revolti, A., Schulze, F., Benedetti, L. and de Morsier, D. (2023). Requirement Analysis and Concept Design of a Smart Mobile Factory for Infrastructure Projects. In: Advances in Production Management Systems: Production Management Systems for Responsible Manufacturing, Service, and Logistics Futures, 19–33. Springer Nature Switzerland.
- Ma, J., Revolti, A., Benedetti, L., Escamilla, E. and Guillaume H. (2024) Emission-based Relocation Strategies for Mobile Prefabrication Factories, paper presented at the Net-zero Future Conference 2024, Oslo, Norway.
- Beckert, P., Pareschi, G., Ehwald, J., Sacchi, R. and Bauer, C. (2024) Fast as a plane, clean as a train? Prospective life cycle assessment of a hyperloop system, Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 17, 100162.
- Leng, N., Pareschi, G. and Ehwald, J. (2025) Simulating Passenger Demand and Operational Performance in the Hyperloop Network: A Swiss Case Study, paper presented at the 104th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., America.
- Tripathi, A., Kaushal, I., Revolti, A., Benedetti, L., & Dallasega, P. (2025). Digital Twin Driven Quality Control in Smart Mobile Factories: A Framework in Precast Manufacturing. Procedia CIRP, 134, 801-806.
- Revolti, A., Benedetti, L., Kaushal, I. & Dallasega, P. (2025) Empirical Validation Of Bim-To-Digital Twin Transformation For Smart Mobile Factories: A Case Study. Proceedings of the European Conference of Computing in Construction (2025 EC³), Porto, Portugal
- Deb, R. (2025). Modeling of aerodynamic phenomena and drag for vehicles moving through a low-pressure tube in Hyperloop systems. Physics of Fluids, 37(3).
Latest updates on our R&D projects
New partnership with Bekaert
Glattwerk to support EuroTube’s digital infrastructure
