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Nanotubes boost copper wiring

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the US have created a composite that increases the electrical current capacity of copper wires (writes Nick Flaherty). The research aims to boost the performance and life of components such as electric motors and power electronics. The carbon nanotube (CNT) material can be deployed...

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GaN switch at 650 V ‘sweet spot’

Texas Instruments (TI) has produced a 650 V gallium nitride (GaN) power switch for EV designs (writes Nick Flaherty). It is combined with a silicon gate driver in a single package to simplify the design and management of power systems. The combination has been under test with customers for the past two years, gathering...

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Standard pack for trucks unveiled

Webasto, better known for producing heating and cooling systems, has developed a standardised, modular battery pack for commercial EVs (writes Nick Flaherty). The basic 35 kW, 400 V pack in the CV Standard Battery System has been designed to be used in series or parallel to support 800 V requirements. It uses NMC prismatic lithium-ion cells, and the company has also developed a modular...

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On-site charge packs needs no grid

Jolt Energy has launched a 160 kW high-speed charger for EVs that comes with a replaceable battery pack for when there is no grid connection (writes Nick Flaherty). The MerlinOne measures 230 x 120 x 110 cm and has 200 kWh of internal battery storage. It was developed in cooperation...

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Powertrains project takes off

A project has been announced in the US to develop lightweight and ultra-efficient electric motors, drives and associated thermal management system for large commercial electric aircraft (writes Nick Flaherty). The Aviation-class Synergistically Cooled Electric motors with iNtegrated Drives (ASCEND) project brings together an engineering team at Texas A&M University...

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Switcher steps in with 12 V supply

Power Integrations has unveiled a flyback switcher with an integrated 750 V MOSFET and secondary-side sensing that can be used to provide an alternative 12 V power supply for an EV if its onboard 12 V battery fails (writes Nick Flaherty). The InnoSwitch3-AQ can be used for traction inverters, onboard charger, DCDC bus converters and BMSs. The 12 V battery is used to provide the gate drive...

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Power semiconductors battleground

Even though wide bandgap semiconductors such as silicon carbide (SiC) and to a lesser extent gallium nitride (GaN) are making their presence felt in EV power conversion systems still dominated by silicon (Si), there is more performance to come from Si – and EVs are positioned to take advantage of competition among all three materials […]

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Fast-charge ferries start sea trials

A fleet of fully electric passenger ferries is rolling out in Thailand using motors from Danfoss Editron (writes Nick Flaherty). The first two 24 m-long catamarans are currently being tested in Bangkok. Each one is fitted with two Danfoss EMPMI375-T800 motors. The motors use synchronous reluctance assisted...

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Safe disconnects at up to 1000 V

Staubli has launched a connector for battery packs that supports voltages up to 1000 V for onboard chargers in commercial EVs (writes Nick Flaherty). The PerforMore connector supports 400 A at 1000 V and has a mechanism to allow safe disconnection at that voltage. The goal was to get the most power out...

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Tesla cars to use structural cells

Electric car maker Tesla is to use a new form factor for its battery cells that will form part of the structure of its vehicles (writes Nick Flaherty). The company is also using a new material, silicon powder, and a new roll-to-roll manufacturing process to build the cells. In the current 2170 cell, which is 21 mm in diameter and 70 mm long, the roll of electrodes...