Now in its sixth year, Design World’s LEAP Awards continue to showcase the best engineering innovations across several design categories. It’s a large undertaking that wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and support of the engineering community.\ Each year, the editorial team assembles OEM design engineers and academics to create an independent judging panel. Below […]
EV Engineering
SMD-based, GaN TOLL FETs are drop-in replacements for any e-mode devices
Transphorm, Inc. today introduced three SuperGaN® FETs in TOLL packages with on-resistances of 35, 50, and 72 milliohms. Transphorm’s TOLL package configuration is industry standard, meaning the SuperGaN TOLL FETs can be used as drop-in replacements for any e-mode TOLL solution. The new devices also offer Transphorm’s proven high voltage dynamic (switching) on-resistance reliability that […]
Bidirectional power for EVs: the practical and creative opportunities using power modules
Given the coexistence of 400 V and 800 V EVs on the road, what options are there to harmonize these two distinct architectures? We all know the race is on for electrification, whether through government mandates and incentives or consumers demanding green transportation solutions with higher performance, longer range, and more features. Car makers are […]
Trends for GaN adoption in xEV and clean energy power systems
Gate drivers hold the key for efficient wide bandgap semiconductor adoption on the road to sustainability. Innovative companies are developing disruptive new technologies that move the world towards a safer and more sustainable future. Wide bandgap semiconductors, notably GaN and SiC transistors, are a present-day example of a rapidly emerging and disruptive technology that dramatically […]
4 kW liquid-cooled dc-dc converter creates DC voltages in hybrid and EVs
Bel Fuse Inc. announced the release of the Bel Power Solutions 700DNG40-24-8, the second generation 4 kW liquid-cooled DC-DC converter. The unit creates DC voltages in hybrid and electric vehicles suitable to power low-voltage accessories, replacing a traditional alternator. The new converter is smaller and operates at a wider input voltage range from 450 to […]
How SiC MOSFETs and Si IGBTs boost sustainability in green energy systems
Silicon carbide (SIC) MOSFETs and silicon (Si) IGBTs can both boost sustainability in green energy systems. Of course, they don’t compete across the board, there are uses where one or the other is clearly preferred. When comparing the two technologies, it often comes down to the prioritization of performance characteristics like light weight versus low […]
How multilevel converters and SiC can improve sustainability
Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) are an advanced form of a voltage source converter. They are emerging as the preferred choice in medium- and high-voltage green energy applications like high-voltage DC (HVDC) transmission systems, medium voltage motor drives including electric vehicles (EVs), wind and solar renewable energy systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and EV chargers […]
Rare earths and EVs – it’s not about batteries
Rare earths play an important part in the sustainability of electric vehicles (EVs). While there are sustainability challenges related to EV batteries, rare earths are not used in lithium-ion batteries. They are necessary for the magnets that form the main propulsion motors. The batteries mostly rely on lithium and cobalt (not rare earths), while the […]
EV basics: Comparing innovative battery chemistries
While lithium-ion battery chemistry dominates the current electric vehicle market, scientists are working to develop innovative battery chemistries that address the known challenges the existing chemistry presents. By Adam Kimmel for Mouser Electronics Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) continue to outpace the overall automotive segment, with EV market shares of 5.2% in Q1 and 5.6% […]
Cars powered solely by solar energy? Sure…but with a very big “but”
Lately, I’m seeing a lot of cases where solar power is posited as the energy solution for “everything.” And why not? It’s free and ubiquitous, and it feels good to say you are using it. I recently read a column by someone (sorry, I couldn’t find it afterward) about the easy practicality of cars powered […]
