Search Results Found For: "NASA"

NASA’s Magnetic Materials Lab creates custom magnetic ribbons for electric aircraft

With a newly-acquired magnetic material caster, NASA’s Magnetic Materials Lab allows researchers to create custom alloy magnetic ribbons as large as one mile long and 50 mm wide. This ribbon can then be used to manufacture parts that generate or transform electrical power more efficiently and at a larger scale than ever before. “As the… Read more »

NASA inaugurates new Electric Aircraft Testbed

Commercial electric aircraft may lie far in the future, but NASA is conducting research on several fronts. Engineers at the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) at NASA’s Glenn Research Center ran the new facility’s first test in September. Dr. Rodger Dyson led a team that successfully tested a 600-volt electrical power system that could realistically… Read more »

NASA awards grants for advanced battery technologies

There are a number of synergies between space travel and electromobility (just ask Elon Musk). Both pursuits require energy storage devices with high energy density, stringent safety standards, and the ability to operate in high-vibration, extreme-temperature environments. Developing improved battery technology is a high priority at NASA, and the agency is making significant investments in… Read more »

Wright to develop high-power lightweight batteries for US Air Force

US-based Wright Electric, a manufacturer of ultra-lightweight motors, generators and batteries for aerospace and military applications, has been awarded the US Air Force AFWERX SBIR Phase 1 contract to develop Wright’s rechargeable thermal batteries for use in multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles. Wright, in conjunction with NASA, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and the Department of… Read more »

Wright Electric receives $3.34-million grant from FAA for ultra-lightweight aircraft batteries

Wright Electric, a US developer of ultra-lightweight motors, generators and batteries for the aerospace and military sectors, along with its partners, which include NASA, DOE and DOD, has been awarded a $3.34-million grant from the FAA’s Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST) program. The funding will be used to develop a new class of batteries for… Read more »

Canoo begins volume deliveries of its electric commercial van

We’ve seen a number of EV startups that delivered a lot of hype, but few if any vehicles. For a while, we were tempted to place Canoo in that category, but now the company has begun deliveries of its electric LDV130 commercial van, as part of a large order from Kingbee, a national provider of… Read more »

Wright Electric aims to develop EV battery with 1,000 Wh/kg specific energy

Wright Electric, provider of electric propulsion systems for regional aircraft, has launched an initiative to develop batteries targeting 1,000 watt hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) pack-level specific energy. “When I founded Wright, the best vehicle batteries had [specific energy] below 250 Wh/kg,” said Jeff Engler, CEO of Wright. “Now several large manufacturers are advertising cells at… Read more »

Electric Era raises $11.5 million to scale production of its EV fast charging stations for convenience stores

Electric Era, the manufacturer of PowerNode EV fast charging stations, has raised $11.5 million in a Series A financing round led by HSBC Asset Management. Other participants include SQM Lithium Ventures, Blackhorn Ventures and Proeza Ventures. The new funding brings the company’s total funding to $19 million. Electric Era will use the new funding to… Read more »

Electric Power Systems to provide aviation battery system for Elfly’s electric seaplane demonstrator  

The Norway-based Elfly Group is building an electric amphibious aircraft, inspired by the venerable de Havilland Twin Otter and Grumman’s Mallard. The Noemi seaplane is designed for 200-kilometer air journeys, and will be powered by two electric motors with up to 1 MW combined output. A prototype is expected to make its first flight in… Read more »

Comemso’s new testing solution for EV battery management systems

Comemso Electronics has announced a modular system for testing battery management systems (BMS), combined with a comprehensive new graphical interface for parameterization and visualization of the BMS test process. The BMS is a vital component of an EV—it continuously monitors and measures the battery pack, including state of health and state of charge. BMS designs… Read more »