Traditionally, power converter design for energy storage systems (BESS) normally focuses on conversion efficiency and total harmonic distortion. In these designs, the battery is often modeled as a simple dc voltage source with fixed capacity and resistance. However, when it comes to high-density BESS and electric vehicle architectures, the interaction between the inverter’s switching strategy…

The transient voltage suppressor diode protects electronic signal lines and interfaces designed to operate within specific voltage ranges. Exceeding these limits exposes sensitive semiconductors to disturbances or permanent damage. A common protection method is this specialized diode, often abbreviated as TVS. Standard ESD protection devices are made to work with high-voltage, low-energy pulses that last…

A new integrated battery test system combines environmental chambers, cyclers, and fixtures into a single, pre-configured unit, designed to reduce setup and integration time. The system combines hardware and control software from Associated Environmental Systems (AES) and MACCOR Inc., allowing test facilities to begin operations shortly after delivery rather than waiting through traditional multi-vendor integration…

For organizations that depend on large vehicle fleets, electrification offers the potential to reduce fuel and maintenance costs while also cutting emissions. Beyond consumer electric vehicles (EVs), it requires designing charging systems capable of supporting high duty cycles, integrating with facility power infrastructure, and maintaining reliability under demanding operating conditions. And this transition is already…

Electric vehicle (EV) engineering is defined as much by what cannot be seen as by what can. The “gaps” or unseen spaces between battery cells, slot die coating of electrode layers, cooling plates, electric motor housings, and composite joints have a significant influence on performance, safety, and durability. Managing these dimensions with high accuracy has…

Electric vehicle (EV) motor design continues to evolve as manufacturers target higher power density, greater efficiency, and seamless system integration. This article reviews optimization strategies for EV motors, focusing on material innovations, control algorithms, and thermal management. It also highlights emerging testing protocols and safety standards that ensure reliable operation and support integration across next-generation…

The new Enovix AI-1 smartphone battery platform is based on a 100% silicon-anode architecture, with the first 7,350 milliampere-hour (mAh) AI-1 cells already sampled to an original equipment manufacturer for qualification in upcoming devices. The platform incorporates more than 190 patents and is designed for mobile systems that require higher energy and power to support…

Reconfigurable battery packs dynamically adjust internal connections, voltage, current distribution, and power output.  Unlike conventional fixed packs, they isolate faulty cells, balance power loads, and respond to dynamic energy demands. These capabilities are increasingly important for electric vehicles (EVs), as well as renewable energy storage and smart grid infrastructure. This article explores the key functions…

NEO Battery Materials, a developer of low-cost silicon battery materials designed to enable rapid-charging lithium-ion batteries, announced the initiation of a new development program focused on high-performance batteries for drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The program will utilize NEO’s proprietary silicon anode materials, NBMSiDE P-200 and P-300N, to address key limitations in current drone…

Lithium plating is the deposition of metallic lithium on the surface of the anode in a lithium-ion battery. The process is considered one of the most severe aging mechanisms in these types of batteries, and it can shorten the battery’s life and rapidly reduce its capacity. This article will discuss how anode design, anode materials,…