Grid

Model for predicting battery RUL

A new way to model the lifetime of batteries has been developed by researchers in China, writes Nick Flaherty. Accurate prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) of a battery – as in the number of cycles left before this failure point – is essential for proactive battery management, preventing unexpected failures, optimising replacement schedules, and reducing costs and safety risks in real-world applications.

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Hybrid display controller

Microchip has developed a System-in-Package (SiP) that simplifies the development of automotive displays, writes Nick Flaherty. The SAM9X75D5M SiP is AEC-Q100 Grade 2-qualified and supports large display sizes up to 10 in and XGA resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. The SAM9X75 processor is based on an 800 MHz ARM926EJ-S core that supports the use […]

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Heralding the era of underwater flight

Dutch developer U-Boat Worx has completed sea trials of its electric Super Sub, the fastest private submersible ever built, writes Nick Flaherty. The three-seat design has 100 kW of horizontal thrust and a top speed of nine knots, and is capable of dynamic inclines and descents of up to 45°.

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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.