Copper in EVs, Power Design for EVs, Gallium Nitride, Heat Pumps, Semiconductor Manufacturing and more!
Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Content Editor & Technical Writer | Ph.D | Power Electronics, Renewable Energy, Embedded Systems, Quantum Computing
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Addionics, an Israeli startup, is gaining attention in the e-mobility industry due to its inventive approach to copper, a crucial material used in battery manufacturing. In conventional lithium-ion batteries, copper has traditionally served as the anode, which is the negative electrode. However, Addionics is revolutionizing this concept by introducing its 3D-designed Current Collectors.
These 3D structures boast a porous, high-surface-area design that translates to several benefits for electric vehicles, including increased range, reduced material use, and recycling of materials. In an interview with Power Electronics News, Ofer Friedman, VP of Products Addionics, will focus on the relevance of copper for this innovative technology, and how the company is poised to play a significant role in the future of electric mobility.
According to Addionics, as the demand for EVs grows, so does the need for copper, driving up its price significantly with a 17% raise this year alone on fears of slowing supply. The increasing cost of copper affects the overall expense of manufacturing EV batteries, as these batteries require substantial amounts of copper – up to 80 kgs, compared to only 23 kgs for traditional combustion engines – for their electrodes and wiring.
Infineon’s 1,200-V CoolSiC Series Optimized for Automotive OBCs, DC/DC Converters
By Filippo Di Giovanni
Infineon has introduced a new version of its 1,200-V CoolSiC series, specifically optimized for on-board chargers (OBCs) and DC/DC converters in automotive applications. This new iteration features a top-side-cooling (TSC) packaging concept, enhancing efficiency and system performance. The silicon carbide (SiC) market is projected to grow significantly, driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles.
Designing EV Auxiliary Power Supplies With Integrated Smart GaN ICs
By Stefano Lovati
This article discusses a high-voltage to low-voltage isolated flyback converter based on a smart gallium nitride IC. The converter is designed to serve as an auxiliary power source for EVs. The purpose is to guarantee a consistent supply voltage (about 15–18 V) to the car’s safety-critical components, particularly the traction inverter, in case of a failure in the primary power source. The information presented in this article is derived from a lecture given at APEC 2024 in February.
Wine Down Friday with Diamfab’s Gauthier Chicot
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
In this episode of Wine Down Friday, Gauthier Chicot, CEO and co-founder of DiamFab, shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. He discusses the advantages of diamond in power electronics, emphasizing its superior electrical and thermal properties. Gauthier reveals his vision for DiamFab’s growth, balancing innovation with practical business aspects through strategic partnerships. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, cycling and spending quality time with his family. Looking ahead, DiamFab aims to make diamond technology an industrial reality, enhancing applications with its exceptional performance and cost-effectiveness.
The Role of GaN in Decarbonization
By Sonu Daryanani
Wide Bandgap (WBG) semiconductors have revolutionized the power electronics industry over the last few years. Efficiency gains and new topologies for power conversion using silicon carbide (SiC) or gallium nitride (GaN) devices have enabled the strong growth of these across a wide sector of industrial and commercial applications.
Gallium Nitride (GaN) FETs with primary voltage clamping achieve remarkable AC adapters miniaturization
By Filippo Di Giovanni
DC) in portable electronic devices. As adapters are ubiquitous equipment that contributes to cramming any traveler’s suitcase constantly, they should be as small and light as possible. How can it be achieved with the current technologies?
A paper recently presented at APEC by co-authors from Rohm and Sojo University1, illustrates a new approach to accomplish adapter miniaturization using GaN switches together with a voltage clamping on the primary side and a 150V-fed Asymmetric Half-Bridge (AHB) flyback converter running at 1MHz switching frequency.
WBG Materials Drive Semiconductor Research and Manufacturing for Future Technologies
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Nexperia recently revealed plans to invest USD 200 million (approximately 184 million Euros) in developing next-generation wide bandgap semiconductors (WBG), including silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). Additionally, the company will establish production infrastructure at its Hamburg site and expand wafer fab capacity for silicon (Si) diodes and transistors.
In an interview with Power Electronics News, Katrin Feurle, Senior Director Product Management SiC at Nexperia, and Carlos Castro, Vice President & General Manager GaN at Nexperia, will provide insights on this relevant investment plan.
The Tech Behind Heat Pumps: All about Intelligent Power Modules
By Arnold Lee
A heat pump is a tried-and-true way to provide efficient and eco-friendly heating. It is the driving force behind the global trend toward sustainable heating and runs on electricity that is low in emissions. Energy efficiency is a key factor when evaluating heat pumps in comparison to conventional boilers and low-emission hydrogen, among other renewable and conventional building systems.
By switching to heat pumps, the European Union (EU) may drastically cut down on its usage of natural gas for heating purposes. This may also be helped by the fact that natural gas has seen the greatest price increase, due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The worldwide heat pump sales growth rate in 2021 was over 15%, which is twice the growth rate seen over the previous decade. Sales in the EU increased by an astounding 35%, which was a major factor in propelling this expansion.
Unveiling the Hidden Properties of Gallium
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Nearly a century and a half after its discovery, gallium, a seemingly familiar element, has surprised scientists with a revelation about its fundamental nature. Researchers at the University of Auckland have unraveled previously unknown aspects of this metal’s behavior, particularly at the atomic level.
Meeting Automotive Functional Safety Requirements With ASIL-D–Compliant Gate Drivers
By Stefano Lovati
The possible risks posed by failures of in-vehicle electronic systems in different scenarios are quantified through the Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) parameter. ASIL-D corresponds to the maximum level of risk management.
This article, based on a lecture1 given at the APEC 2024 event held in February, focuses on the ASIL-D–compliant automotive Scale EV gate drivers developed by Power Integrations and the techniques this device series uses to meet functional safety requirements.
Omron Launches High-Power PCB Relay for Faster and More Compact EV Charger Wallboxes
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Omron Electronic Components Europe has introduced a new high-capacity printed circuit board (PCB) relay designed specifically for Mode 3 AC electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed in AC wallboxes. The G9KC relay offers the most minimal contact resistance currently available on the market and generates considerably less heat at the load terminal during operation than similar devices. This presents novel prospects for designers and producers of electric vehicle (EV) chargers to develop systems that can facilitate faster and more efficient charging while ensuring greater dependability and longer projected lifespan.
A 3-Phase Brushless Gate Driver with Power Module and Sleep Mode
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
The industrial and machinery markets are transforming due to the emergence of new technologies such as drones and robotic tools. These technologies demand energy-efficient solutions with improved capabilities. Microchip Technology’s MCP8027 is a gate driver for 3-phase brushless motors that includes a power module and has a sleep-mode current of 5 uA (typical). The MCP8027 device incorporates three half-bridge drivers for controlling external NMOS/NMOS transistor pairs that are arranged to drive a 3-phase BLDC motor. It also includes a comparator, a voltage regulator for supplying power to a connected microcontroller, power monitoring comparators, an overtemperature sensor, two-level translators, and three operational amplifiers for monitoring motor current.
Kelvion Introduces an Innovative Hybrid Cooling System
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Kelvion has unveiled a groundbreaking hybrid cooling system designed to enhance thermal efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. This innovative system balances water and energy use, setting new standards for sustainable heat rejection. The hybrid cooling system offers two cooling modes: dry and wet. In dry mode, heat is exchanged with ambient air, while in wet mode, the system uses water to enhance cooling efficiency through an adiabatic effect. This allows the system to operate effectively even in high ambient temperatures, making it suitable for various applications, especially in hot climates.
OmniOn Power Extends Its DLynx III Family of DC-DC Converters
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
OmniOn Power has expanded its DLynx III family of non-isolated point-of-load (POL) modules with the new FPLX-series DC/DC converters. These modules, available in 15A, 20A, and 30A versions, feature compact 10 mm by 10 mm footprints and offer high power densities. The FPLX-series converters are designed to address power density and efficiency challenges, providing up to 88% efficiency for typical 12V to 1V conversion. They also include a digital PMBus interface for monitoring voltage, current, and temperature, ensuring high quality and reliability.
Würth Elektronik Introduces Its New WE-MXGI Series of Power Inductors for DC-DC Converters
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Würth Elektronik has launched the WE-MXGI series of power inductors, designed for high-frequency DC/DC converters utilizing advanced GaN and SiC transistor technologies. The WE-MXGI inductors feature extremely low core losses and the lowest winding resistance (RDC value) among comparable products, resulting in maximum efficiency. These inductors are available in 4020 and 5030 packages with inductances ranging from 0.16 to 10 µH and can handle saturation currents up to 28A. They are ideal for applications such as DC/DC converters for FPGAs, POL converters, and portable power supplies.
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