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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.

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A sodium fuel cell for electric aircraft

Researchers in the US have developed a sodium/air fuel cell that can be used for electric aircraft, writes Nick Flaherty.

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High-voltage solid-state battery

Researchers in South Korea have developed an all-solid-state battery (ASSB) with an output of over 5 V, significantly higher than that of other batteries, writes Nick Flaherty. The team at Yonsei University developed a fluoride-based solid electrolyte that enables ASSBs to operate beyond 5 V safely with a spinel electrode, addressing the long-standing barrier in battery science of achieving high-voltage stability without sacrificing ionic conductivity (as occurs with conventional solid electrolytes that tend to break down above 4 V).