XG Sciences and Boston-Power have announced a joint development program aimed at customizing XG Sciences’ silicon-graphene anode materials for use in Boston-Power’s lithium-ion battery cell products. The program will focus on optimizing electrochemical and microstructural electrode performance, as well as developing electrode and battery manufacturing techniques using the two companies’ proprietary materials. MORE: Samsung invests in… Read more »
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Fraunhofer’s modular battery makes it easy to isolate defective cells
Researchers at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute have developed a modular battery system that could offer lower cost and improved range by making it easier to replace defective cells. In theory, all the individual cells of a battery can store the same amount of energy. In practice however, their capacities vary, and because the cells are connected… Read more »
Tesla’s motor guru says simulations are key to avoiding exotic materials and expensive manufacturing methods
It comes as no surprise that Tesla, the EV trailblazer, spends a considerable amount of resources on internal R&D to develop better parts for EVs, and that its testing facilities and engineering talent are at the forefront of the industry. Charged recently chatted with Tesla’s Principal Motor Designer, Konstantinos Laskaris, to learn more about the… Read more »
The DOE’s SBIR/STTR programs offer EV-related R&D funding for small businesses
The DOE has announced a new batch of topics for the 2016 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs. Under the SBIR and STTR programs, federal agencies set aside portions of their R&D budgets for small businesses. Companies that win awards keep the rights to any technology developed, and are encouraged… Read more »
Tesla says Model S reliability issues have been cut in half
Tesla responded quickly to Consumer Reports’ embarrassing statements about Model S’s mediocre reliability. In a public tweet, and again in a conference call with stock analysts, Elon Musk assured us that most of the early problems with the drive units have been fixed, and that the powertrains now rolling off the line are “excellent.” The… Read more »
Joint Center for Energy Storage Research looks beyond Li-ion for battery advances
The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), a consortium of national labs, universities, and private firms, was founded in 2012 with funding from the DOE with the objective of developing a battery five times more powerful and five times cheaper than the current state of the art within five years. At the recent Bay… Read more »
ABB adds credit card option to its DC fast charger
Electronics giant ABB has announced a credit card payment option that can be added to new or existing Terra 53 DC fast charging stations. In addition to RFID-enabled membership cards and PIN code authorization methods, drivers can now simply use a major credit card to pay for charging when roaming outside their local region. The… Read more »
Tesla’s goal: drive units that never wear out
Consumer Reports’ recent finding that the Model S’s reliability is only mediocre was a black eye for Tesla, but Elon Musk says that, while early drive units had a range of problems, most of these have now been fixed. During a recent conference call, Musk assured stock analysts that the powertrains now rolling off the… Read more »
Riviera Tool & Die reopens as Tesla Michigan
In May, Tesla acquired Riviera Tool & Die, a Michigan-based firm that makes large stamping die systems used to produce automotive sheet metal parts. The Californians have now taken over the company’s Grand Rapids facility and rebranded it as Tesla Michigan. Reporter Rick Albin from local TV station WOOD recently took a factory tour and… Read more »
Aston Martin unveils RapidE concept – possible release in two years
Aston Martin unveiled a fully electric concept of its Rapide S four-door sports sedan, developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering, at a posh do in London where Prince William met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. At the event, Aston Martin and Chinese investment group ChinaEquity announced an agreement to explore the development of a… Read more »