German machine and tool manufacturer GROB says it’s preparing for the rapid electrification of the car industry by developing manufacturing equipment for the mass production of EVs, specifically for motors and batteries. To speed up the development of its own equipment, GROB acquired Italian mechanical engineering company DMG meccanica in 2017, renaming it GROB Italy…. Read more »
Gore launched its new Low Pressure Evacuation Vent at a recent battery show. The company says the vent will help reduce the volume, weight, and cost of next-generation battery packs for EVs and hybrids. The vent combines a flexible membrane and waterproof design, which Gore said has benefits that include: A low opening pressure Management… Read more »
LED and semiconductor manufacturer Cree will invest up to $1 billion to expand its silicon carbide materials capability and wafer fabrication capacity. Slated for completion in 2024, the expansion will entail the development of an automated 200 mm silicon carbide fabrication facility and a materials factory in Durham, North Carolina. The plan includes the buildout… Read more »
Dow’s new DOWSIL EC-6601 Electrically Conductive Adhesive is a silicone adhesive that’s designed for electromagnetic compatibility. It combines shielding against electromagnetic interference across a range of frequencies with durable mechanical and conductive properties over time. Dow showcased the new adhesive at a recent battery expo, along with the company’s EA-4700 CV Adhesive, which bonds metals… Read more »
The Chinese market for EV battery nickel increased 253 percent in January 2019 compared to January 2018, according to a report from research firm Adamas Intelligence. China is now the largest market for battery nickel in passenger EVs. The growth is being driven by a shift from Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) to Nickel Cobalt Manganese… Read more »
21st-century soldiers use lots of battery-powered gadgets, and they need batteries that are light to carry, safe, and impervious to abuse – exactly the characteristics required by EV batteries. A new battery tech developed by the US Army has attracted the attention of battery luminary Jeff Dahn, who works with Tesla on battery research. In… Read more »
Automobile component manufacturer Meritor will acquire drivetrain company AxleTech for $175 million in an effort to expand its off-highway, defense, and aftermarket segments. AxelTech’s offerings include a line of independent suspensions, axles, braking solutions, and drivetrain components. The company recently launched a new line of electric powertrain systems for off-highway applications. Jay Craig, Meritor’s CEO… Read more »
Electric battery and powertrain technology company XING Mobility has launched a new EV battery pack. The Immersion Cooled Modular Battery Pack System is modularized and fully integrated, according to the company. Equipped with stackable micro-modules, the system can be configured into distinct sizes and shapes, including triangular, T-shaped, and U-shaped packs. To manage thermal challenges,… Read more »
EVs use twice as much copper as legacy vehicles, and smart phones, tablets and other popular consumer electronics are also consuming increasing amounts of the conductive metal. Growing demand and tight supply could soon lead to shortages of copper, nickel and other key minerals used in EV batteries. As Reuters reports, Sarah Maryssael, Tesla’s Global… Read more »
Researchers have developed a conductor material that could lead to all-solid-state batteries with the highest energy density achieved to date. Current batteries employ organic liquid electrolytes that are prone to leakage, flammability, and limited energy density, issues which could be eliminated with all-solid-state batteries. The researchers developed a complex lithium superionic conductor that showed high… Read more »