Power Electronics & Battery Technology - August 2019
This compendium of recent articles from the editors of Tech Briefs and Aerospace & Defense Technology looks at the latest advances in power electronics and energy storage.
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Overview
The August 2019 Special Report on Power Electronics presents a comprehensive overview of current trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. It addresses the increasing demands on engineers to deliver efficient power solutions in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, where time and resource constraints are prevalent.
One of the key discussions in the report revolves around the choice between developing power supplies from discrete components versus utilizing pre-designed modules. This dilemma is not new, but as design cycles shorten and the need for compact, high-density power solutions grows, the decision becomes more critical. Power density, defined as the amount of power converted per unit volume, is highlighted as a crucial factor in this decision-making process. Industries are pushing for more powerful computing and sensing capabilities within limited space, necessitating integrated and higher-density power delivery systems.
The report also delves into the advancements in electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers, which can charge most fully depleted batteries to 80% in 30 minutes or less. Developers are actively working to further reduce charging times to match the convenience of refueling traditional gasoline vehicles. This innovation is essential for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, as it addresses one of the significant barriers to their use.
In addition to EV technology, the report features various technical briefs on emerging power solutions. Notable topics include a compact power amplifier for electronic warfare, a high-power solid-state power amplifier system, and hybrid controllers for energy storage devices. These innovations reflect the ongoing efforts to enhance power management and efficiency across different applications.
The report also highlights the development of a self-heating battery at Penn State University, which provides electric vehicles with immunity from adverse climate conditions. This technology allows the battery to rapidly heat up internally before charging, improving performance in cold weather.
Another significant advancement discussed is the ultra-low-power hybrid chip inspired by the human brain, designed for small robots. This application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) operates on minimal power, enabling palm-sized robots to collaborate and learn from their experiences, thus extending their operational time significantly.
Furthermore, the report addresses the importance of energy management systems, which can optimize regulation capacity and reduce reserve requirements by leveraging the statistical averaging effects of energy storage resources. This approach enhances the efficiency of power distribution and management in various balancing areas.
Overall, the Special Report on Power Electronics provides valuable insights into the current state of power technology, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions that meet the demands of modern applications. It showcases the ongoing research and development efforts aimed at improving power density, efficiency, and reliability in a variety of sectors, from electric vehicles to robotics and beyond. The report serves as a resource for engineers and industry professionals seeking to navigate the complexities of power electronics in today's fast-paced environment.
