The short answer is ‘no.’ We might be getting closer, but there’s still no guarantee that we’ll get there soon. Some automakers are looking at 2024 for the introduction of solid-state batteries in EVs, but others don’t see that happening until 2030. Expectations are high but unfulfilled. This FAQ reviews the anticipated benefits of solid-state…
Bode plots and power supplies
A Bode plot represents the gain and phase of a feedback system as a function of frequency. It was developed by Hendrik Wade Bode in the 1930s and reflected the frequency domain behavior of a system. He invented it while at Bell Labs to help design stable amplifiers with the feedback needed in telephone networks.…
18650, 21700, 30700, 4680 and other Li-ions – what’s the difference?
There are many sizes of cylindrical lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells, and the number of sizes continues to grow. Some are optimized for use in simple devices such as toys and flashlights; others are mainly found powering portable electronics and electric vehicles. This FAQ begins by reviewing the broad landscape of cylindrical Li-ions, including protected and non-protected…
EV battery thermal management challenges
Keeping EV batteries cooled is the most common thermal management concern. However, batteries used in cold climates often benefit from being heated when temperatures fall. When undergoing fast charging or extra fast charging (XFC) batteries may need additional levels of cooling. This FAQ first considers various active and passive cooling technologies for EV batteries. It…
What are TENGs and PENGs and what are they good for?
Small self-powered systems, including wireless sensors and small robots currently under development, can use triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) and piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) as prime power sources. TENGs and PENGs offer large open circuit voltages, low materials cost, ease of fabrication, and good energy conversion efficiencies. TENGs use triboelectricity, commonly called static electricity, to convert common mechanical […]
Battery pack protection keeps EVs on the road
A few best practices for handling transients and over-currents help make electronic drivetrains more reliable. James Colby • Littelfuse, Inc. Automotive market analysts predict that by 2025, high-end vehicles will contain more than $6,000 in electronic components. Most of these advanced electronics will be in the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs). To ensure robust, […]
What are the applications of 3D and 4D printed electronics?
3D printing is the fabrication of a three-dimensional object under computer control, with one or more materials being added layer by layer. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is used across various electronics applications, including circuit boards, energy storage devices, actuators, and sensors. It can be implemented using a variety of technologies, including selective laser sintering […]
What is an electrolyte?
The electrolyte in a battery is the substance that allows electrical current to flow between the anode and the cathode. Electrolytes may be fluids or solids. Soluble salts, acids, and bases can generally act as electrolytes. While current flows through a metallic conductor in the form of lone electrons, within an electrolyte current flows in…
Battery pack protection keeps EVs on the road
A few best practices for handling transients and over-currents help make electronic drivetrains more reliable. James Colby • Littelfuse, Inc. Automotive market analysts predict that by 2025, high-end vehicles will contain more than $6,000 in electronic components. Most of these advanced electronics will be in the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs). To ensure robust, […]
What is an anode?
An anode is an electrode where oxidation reactions occur, involving atoms giving up electrons. The negatively charged free electrons then flow out of the negative terminal of the battery to produce an electrical current. It should be noted that conventionally, electricity is considered to flow in the opposite direction to the flow of electrons. Anions,…