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Reducing on-resistance in e-bike designs

Renesas Electronics has developed a new process technology for more efficient, 100 V silicon MOSFET transistors in e-bike designs, writes Nick Flaherty. The REXFET-1 process reduces on-resistance between the drain and source by 30% to 1.5 mO, which cuts losses and boosts efficiency.

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Machine learning slices powertrain development phase

Researchers at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) have used machine learning to shorten the development phase of battery EV powertrains by several months, writes Nick Flaherty. The 10-year Optimisation of Electric Drives (OPED) project combines

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Coreless technology shrinks current sensor

Melexis has used a digitally controlled, coreless technology that shrinks the size of a current sensor, writes Nick Flaherty. The MLX91235 sensor eliminates the need for a ferromagnetic core, enabling the measurement of larger currents flowing through external primary conductors, including busbars.

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Additive Drives uses injection-moulded copper

Additive Drives has developed an injection-moulded copper process for the next generation of electric-drive busbars, writes Nick Flaherty. The development combines the best of two worlds: specialised design and mass production. Additive Drives is using the process for busbars with printed, conventional or injection-moulded parts in copper and plastic.

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Bi-directional onboard chargers get current sensor

LEM has developed a current sensor for transformerless, bi-directional, onboard chargers (OBCs), writes Nick Flaherty. The automotive-grade, residual current monitoring (RCM) sensor is the first of its kind for bi-directional OBCs with ASIL B safety rating.

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Recycling cathode materials using galvanic corrosion

Researchers in Korea have developed a cost-effective and eco-friendly technology for recycling cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries through a simple process within an existing cell without the need for disassembly, writes Nick Flaherty.

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Capacitorless solid-state power filter for single-phase DC-AC converters

Researchers in the US have developed a solid-state filter for power converters that does not need a capacitor. Capacitors are one of the main points of failure in an e-mobility power system, responsible for 30% of failures in power electronics.

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Wireless BMS built with ultra-wideband tech

NXP Semiconductor has developed the first battery management system (BMS) using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, writes Nick Flaherty. Using wireless connections between battery cells and the BMS in a pack simplifies assembly and enables better energy density.

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Trio of auto-grade power modules offer 300 combinations

Vicor has developed three automotive-grade power modules that can be used in 300 combinations in 48 V EV systems, writes Nick Flaherty. They cover a bus converter from 800 V to 48 V, an unregulated 48 V to 12 V converter and a regulated 48 V power-supply module.

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MW-class motor electric aircraft takes off with 3300 bhp

Wright Electric has finished assembling its second-generation megawatt-class motor, the WM2500, writes Nick Flaherty. The motor has been built with support from the US ARPA-E ASCEND research programme and NASA, and it is spinning freely after being assembled in December.