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New battery design for longer-range EVs

Researchers in the UK have developed a battery design that could significantly extend the range of EVs, writes Nick Flaherty. A team at the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) has developed a technique for making silicon-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that can be used for high-volume roll-to-roll production of anodes for lithium-ion batteries. The […]

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Smaller modules but with greater power

Texas Instruments (TI) has developed packaging technology that enables isolated power modules with up to three times higher power density than discrete solutions, shrinking solution size by as much as 70%, writes Nick Flaherty. The IsoShield technology integrates a planar transformer and isolated power stage to dramatically reduce the footprint and height of isolated gate […]

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Lithium metal battery tops 1270 Wh/L

Researchers in South Korea have doubled the volumetric energy density of an anode-free lithium metal battery to boost the range of EVs, writes Nick Flaherty.

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Flyback converter for e-bike chargers

Power Integrations (PI) has updated a key power converter for higher-power e-bike chargers with a new control algorithm and more power-efficient gallium nitride (GaN), writes Nick Flaherty. TOPSwitch is a simple single flyback converter that is used around the globe. The latest version with GaN extends the flyback converter from 250 up to 450 W for the higher-power battery chargers in e-bikes.

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Improving magnetic performance in EV motors

Researchers in South Korea have developed a process for creating permanent magnets that reduces the need for heavy rare earth elements, writes Nick Flaherty. The process significantly advances the diffusion technology, which is essential for improving magnetic performance, and creates new possibilities for applying high-efficiency magnets in EV motors.

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Microgrid design for shipping

A researcher in Finland has developed a power management strategy that prevents blackouts in the electrical grid of a ship, writes Nick Flaherty. The scheme, developed by researcher Timo Alho at the University of Vaasa, separates a vessel’s electrical equipment into independent units supporting the ship’s grid without centralised commands. This makes the vessel’s power […]

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Proactive AI for EV charging

Monta in Denmark has developed a layer of AI for its charger system software, writes Nick Flaherty. As EV charging networks expand rapidly, operators face a growing gap between scale and operational capacity.

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An electrically powered gyroplane for urban air traffic

Researchers in Germany have looked at two different drive systems for a new electric gyroplane with two electric motors for propulsion and one electric motor for pre-rotation, writes Nick Flaherty. The aircraft is being developed by the S2TOL (Silent Short Takeoff and Landing) project by the DLR and Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery (IST) at RWTH Aachen University in Germany for urban and regional air traffic.

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Joint venture for high-performance busbars

HPW and Brand KG have set up a joint venture to develop high-performance busbars for EVs, writes Nick Flaherty. HPW Metallwerk in Linz, Austria, develops high-performance wires for e-mobility while Brand KG in Anröchte, Germany, is a specialist in springs, spring assemblies and wire forming parts.

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Temperature boost shrinks DC-link capacitor

TDK has developed a high-temperature dielectric film for modular high-power DC-link capacitors, writes Nick Flaherty. Silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor devices push converters to higher power densities and temperatures that conventional polypropylene (PP) capacitors can’t tolerate. The ModCap UHP overcomes this limitation with a PP–cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) blend dielectric rated 25 K higher than standard film capacitors. This results in 40% smaller DC-link designs for EVs.