Back in 1995, I started out as an editor for a niche of engineering called fluid power. This motion control technology, broken down into hydraulics and pneumatics, faced some challenges. Specifically on the hydraulics side, there was a bias against … [Read more...]

I love learning about engineering colleagues who are innovating in new ways — people who are rethinking problems that seem to be up against the proverbial brick wall. Take the current issues with renewable energy. While strides have been made in many … [Read more...]

An inverter is a key component of an electric vehicle, providing the variable frequency 3-phase alternating current required to drive an AC motor. An internal combustion engine vehicle (ICE) does not require an inverter — rather, it uses DC supplied … [Read more...]

Winning entries in the 2023 LEAP (Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program) Awards were announced by WTWH Media today in 11 categories: Advanced Materials Connectivity Embedded Computing Fluid Power Industrial Automation … [Read more...]

By Jody Muelaner EV production has made the transition from a niche market into true high volume automotive mass market. The battery is the most important element in determining the value of an EV — it largely determines the vehicle’s performance, … [Read more...]

EV inverters, also known as traction inverters, convert the dc electricity from the battery into the three-phase variable frequency ac that's needed to drive the motor at a given speed (Figure 1). EVs use asynchronous (induction) motors or sometimes … [Read more...]

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is launching a crucial product innovation for the automotive industry: an impermeable rectangular busbar overmold that seals reliably and helps prevent damage to an electric vehicle’s power electronics. The solution … [Read more...]

All cars need bearings, and electric cars are no exception. That being so, one of the key ways of boosting range in electric cars is to reduce frictional losses — where energy that would otherwise be used for powering the vehicle is lost as heat … [Read more...]

By Jody Muelaner A vehicle’s architecture describes its key elements, especially how they are laid out and connected to each other. Traditionally, the focus has been on the mechanical architecture; the chassis and frame, powertrain, body, fuel … [Read more...]

Software defined vehicle (SDV) is a term used by some manufacturers, including Bosch, Google, and Renault, for a vehicle with a centralized digital architecture that allows software updates to upgrade the vehicle throughout its lifetime. This … [Read more...]

The new mechatronic rear-wheel steering system by Schaeffler has celebrated its series-production premiere, bringing enhanced agility on bends and superior inner-city maneuverability to the new electric SUV of a renowned vehicle manufacturer. By … [Read more...]

In the past, automobiles had minimal electrical systems and relied mainly on mechanical systems. Today, there are many electrical functions such as seat heating and cooling, comfort systems, and assistance systems that draw a lot of electricity from … [Read more...]

Owl Autonomous Imaging has announced the availability of a short whitepaper that explains the new technologies that will enable next generation cars to successfully see in pitch darkness and crowded, chaotic urban landscapes—to reduce collisions with … [Read more...]

In lithium-ion batteries, higher energy density increases the risk of thermal runaway. As a preventive measure, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed thermal barriers that help to slow down thermal runaway by increasing resistance to … [Read more...]

Schaeffler is demonstrating its development capabilities in the field of hydrogen-powered mobility with a new generation of metallic bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells. All fuel cell systems rely on bipolar plates. But the plates developed by … [Read more...]

Over the past 20 years, Ultralife has been developing portable power solutions for the military (often in conjunction with the government) to reduce weight on the soldier without compromising on performance.  One such scheme was the Land Warrior … [Read more...]