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Flat chassis chosen for axial motors

Saiettta has used its AFT140 axial motor for a flat chassis for urban vehicles (writes Nick Flaherty). Mounted on the corners of the chassis, the AFT 140 in-wheel electric motors provide a torque of up to 140 Nm for controllable power at low speeds in urban stop-start journeys. The chassis is a flexible platform that […]

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Device reads LV and HV in one go

A 45 V high-withstand voltage battery monitoring device for automotive designs has implemented a supply voltage-divided output for the first time (writes Nick Flaherty). Dividing battery monitoring between high- and low-voltage sources increases the safety of e-mobility designs, as it allows 12 V batteries to be monitored by the same device that monitors the low […]

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Matrix aimed at seal and EMI issues

The Electrically and Thermally Conductive and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Materials (ETEMI) project aims to enhance conventional elastomers, liquid silicon rubber and thermoplastics to address sealing and EMI issues at the same time in EVs. This is driving the development of a new class of electrically conductive sealing materials.

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Reducing models of EV behaviour

The development of e-mobility platforms requires a complex interplay between different engineering teams for the mechanical, thermal, electrical, control and software design. ROMs from 3D design tools can be substituted for 1D system simulation models to provide more accurate and detailed results, so teams can make an informed and correct design choice earlier.

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Nanotech alloy ups HV power

The LISA (Lithium Sulphur for Safe Road Electrification) European project is developing a 20 Ah solid-state lithium-sulphur pouch cell with high gravimetric energy of 450 Wh/kg and volumetric energy density of 700 Wh/litre that will be stable for at least 1000 cycles. The first step is a proof-of-concept 21700 cylindrical cell with a capacity of 3 Ah.

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Multi-kilowatt superconductors

Researchers in Germany have developed a coil with superconducting wires that are capable of transmitting up to 5 kW of power with minimal losses (writes Nick Flaherty). The team, at the Technical University of Munich, worked with Wurth Elektronik eiSos and superconductor coating specialist Theva Dunnschichttechnik on the design of a coil which they believe […]

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Cell test systems do double duty

EA Elektro-Automatik in Germany has launched a series of bidirectional DC power supplies and regenerative DC loads for testing fuel cell stacks (writes Nick Flaherty). Fuel cells are characterised by determining their electrical resistance, and the performance is usually indicated via polarisation curves by measuring the voltage and current. A durability test after a fuel […]

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Test system reduces SWaP needs

Dewesoft has developed an new integrated 2000 A and 2000 V sensing system for automotive testing (writes Nick Flaherty). The Sirius XHS-PWR integrates a new current sensor architecture with the DewesoftX software, XCP, or OPC/UA on PoE Gigabit Ethernet with PTPv2 time synchronisation, including high-end data acquisition...

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Inverter enables fast prototyping

Semikron and Silicon Mobility have developed a low-voltage inverter design (writes Nick Flaherty). The 24-96 V inverter platform is aimed at battery-powered and industrial off-road vehicles using a powertrain between 10 and 50 kW. The design combines the SKAI 3LV inverter system from Semikron and the OLEA electric motor...

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New tyre boosts range of solar EV

Bridgestone has designed a tyre specifically for solar-power EVs (writes Nick Flaherty). It has been designed for Netherlands based solar car designer Lightyear and its Lightyear One car to reduce the weight and rolling resistance and so increase its range compared with the regular production tyre. The Lightyear One has a range of 450 miles...