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Quantum jump speeds FC design

BMW and Airbus are using a quantum computer to improve the design of hydrogen fuel cells (writes Nick Flaherty). The two are working with quantum computing company Quantinuum on a design flow that combines quantum and classical techniques to speed up research.

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Additive manufacturing advance in stator production

Researchers in the US and UK have used additive manufacturing (AM) to develop a 3D-printed motor with materials previously considered too brittle to use (writes Nick Flaherty). The researchers, at the University of Sheffield in the UK and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US, have developed a 10 kW prototype motor that they are scaling up to 40 kW for e-mobility applications.

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Cell proves its worth for eVTOLs

About:Energy has characterised the P45B high-power battery cell from Molicel being used in several eVTOL designs (writes Nick Flaherty). The P45B has a 10C pulse discharge capability and a 3C charge capability but can still provide a 242 Wh/kg

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Carbon fibre made from sawdust

Researchers at the Bernal Institute in the University of Limerick (UL) are developing processes to create sustainable carbon fibres for car structures and batteries (writes Nick Flaherty). The processes use lignin, which is found in the walls of plant cells and is the second most common carbon material after cellulose.

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Yamaichi Electronics introduces two-step one-push locking connector for EV battery packs

Yamaichi Electronics has added Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and integrated contact protection to its fourth generation of board-to-cable connector for battery packs (writes Nick Flaherty).

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Zero-emissions barge in world first

Dutch shipping company Future Proof Shipping (FPS) has launched the first hydrogen-powered zero-emissions inland container ship (writes Nick Flaherty). The H2 Barge 1 was developed in partnership with sports company Nike and the BCTN Network of Inland Terminals. The 110 m-long, 11.45 m-wide ship will sail between Rotterdam and BCTN’s inland terminal in Meerhout several times a week.

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Simulators simplifies e-train design

A new version of the Spice analogue simulator called Qspice can simplify the development of motor control for EV powertrains and other vehicle motors (writes Nick Flaherty). The Qspice simulator has been written by Mike Englehardt, the creator of several versions of the Spice analogue simulator. It can integrate digital elements such as controllers with no performance penalties alongside the analogue power device simulation.

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Thyristors save space in charger

Littelfuse has developed a reference design for a 2 MW bidirectional fast charger for commercial vehicles (writes Nick Flaherty). Rather than using MOSFETs, the 12-pulse thyristor stack can support a 2 MW output in a smaller volume with just forced-air cooling. Five 70 kW modules using thyristors that are stacked to provide 350

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BMS measures cells in real time

Rather than using algorithms that model the expected performance of battery cells, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measures the current from each individual cell using random pulses to avoid overheating the cell.

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Calcium shows promise for cells

Researchers in Japan have developed a promising rechargeable calcium metal battery with a long lifetime (writes Nick Flaherty). The prototype is capable of 500 cycles of repeated charging-discharging. As the fifth most abundant element in Earth's crust, calcium is widely available and inexpensive, and has a higher energy density potential than lithium.