Phase change materials offer intriguing possibilities in the thermal management of EV powertrains as Nick Flaherty explains
Phase-change materials (PCMs) are known for their superior latent heat capacity, acting as heat absorbers without notable temperature increases. This property can be used in many different ways throughout the powertrain of e-mobility systems, from enhancing the heat transfer in the power electronics to cooling the entire battery pack Read more…

Peter Donaldson finds complex challenges within the development of coatings for battery applications
Coatings play a crucial role in battery cells, modules and packs. Evolving continuously, they are engineered to enhance performance, safety, reliability and longevity in these complex, high value electrochemical systems. While the active materials that constitute the core components of cells – the anode and cathode – are applied to their substrates as coatings, this article will focus mainly on the supporting players. Read more…

DESTEN has developed the first Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cell that can charge in just six minutes at 6 C writes Nick Flaherty. The 160 Wh/kg pouch cell developed by DESTEN is capable of charging from 20% to 80% SOC in six minutes at a charging rate of 6 C. Moreover, the LFP chemistry means the cell is intrinsically safer than lithium ion cells. Read more…

Renault has chosen two batteries optimised for capacity, size and mass, combined with in-depth work on aerodynamics and a brand-new innovative platform.
The van comes with a choice of two energy storage capacity ratings: 40 kWh and 87 kWh. These two packs are built into a single casing and designed for driving requirements in cities as much as in suburbs. And they do not hamper the vehicle’s payload capacity – which is an essential criterion in this segment. Read more…

New Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Compares Carbon Emissions of NMC 622 Cathode Material Made with Mined Metals Vs. NMC 622 Hydro-to-Cathode® Battery Materials Made with Recycled Materials
Using its patented Hydro-to-Cathode® process and recycled materials, Ascend Elements can today manufacture new EV battery material (NMC 622 cathode) at a 49% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional cathode manufacturing processes that rely on primary materials from mining. Read more…

Scania AB’s head of battery production Tony Persson explains to Rory Jackson his company’s key role in the development of electric vehicles for demanding applications
The race to electrify road vehicles is bringing with it a race to develop internal competencies in producing key e-mobility technologies, and battery packs frequently make the top of the list. As of mid-2023, around 30 battery factories were planned, being built, or already operational in the US, with around 35 in the EU and several times more in China. Read more…

YASA is working with Domin on an in-wheel motor system that weighs under 2 kg, writes Nick Flaherty. The project with Cranfield University in the UK will create a patented in-wheel motor design using YASA’s axial flux motor and Domin’s digitally controlled hydraulic active suspension. The aim is to develop a motor system that is ten times lighter than the current 12 kg motor package design. Read more…

Duxion Motors has successful ground tested its patented eJet Motor for electric aviation, writes Nick Flaherty. The successful ground testing of the scaled prototype at Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada, included both low-speed and high-speed testing. Read more…

Elkem has developed a new, specialised iron-silicon powder, which may allow the 3D-printing of components for electrical motors, with partners through an EU-funded project. Read more…

H3X is meeting the challenge of maximising continuous power output against high operating temperatures. Rory Jackson reports
Commercial aviation is one of the world’s fastest-growing sources of pollution, responsible for about 2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 2.5% of carbon emissions. These levels are projected to reach… Read more…

Heraeus High Performance Coatings has launched an innovative process for laminated rare-earth metal magnets that boosts performance and manufacturing efficiency, which is crucial for high-power electric motors. Read more…

A new material called Quantix Ultra, produced by Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, offers improved fire protection in electric vehicle (EV) drives, having resisted temperatures of up to 1,200 C during testing. Read more…

Amprius Technologies, a manufacturer of next-generation lithium-ion batteries, has unveiled its new SiCore product platform, with the aim of revolutionising electric mobility.
The company has also branded its existing silicon nanowire platform, SiMaxx, with its current product range of up to 500 Wh/kg and 1,300 Wh/L energy density. Read more…

Automation solutions provider Comau is tasked with designing the digitalisation and implementation strategy for Fastest, an EU project that aims to accelerate the development of batteries that are safer, more reliable and durable.
Turin-based Comau, a Stellantis company, will leverage its long-standing expertise in digitalisation, process simulation and electrification to accelerate the testing and verification of automotive and stationary batteries. Read more…

They literally move the world as no powertrain can do without bearings ─ be it electric cars, hybrid vehicles or internal combustion engines. Schaeffler has now developed a special high-performance ball bearing with an integrated centrifugal disc. Read more…

Adhesives are used in vehicles of all kinds, but they are particularly essential in electric vehicles (EVs) because they perform key functions within battery packs and help save weight in body structure, translating into performance and energy efficiency, as David Fetterman, PPG Industries’ global segment director for adhesives and sealants, explains to Peter Donaldson. Read more…

Freudenberg Performance Materials has developed an absorbent pad technology for installation inside electric vehicle (EV) battery packs (and outside their modules). These Battery Pack Liquid Absorbers are intended to enable passive climate control through long-lasting moisture management, with repeatable absorption and redrying cycles. Read more…

Dust explosions are a major hazard in many industries, and there are about 2,000 occurrences in factories and refineries across Europe per year. Battery electrode manufacturing is exposed to this type of risk and must take precautions that comply with explosive atmosphere (ATEX) directives. Read more…