Next-Gen Batteries Require Impedance Data And Active Balancing


Key Takeaways Electric vehicles and energy storage systems using LFP batteries require more sophisticated diagnostic methods because they exhibit very flat cell voltages across various charge levels, making it harder to estimate usable energy. Battery management systems are leveraging new components, AI/ML, digital twins, and other techniques to get more accurate, real-time data, includ... » read more

Batteries Charge To The Edge


Long-awaited advances in battery chemistry and materials science are beginning to roll out, opening the door for higher capacity, faster charging, and much lower likelihood of thermal runaway. This is a high-stakes race, fueled by an insatiable demand for power everywhere from handheld devices to data centers. When Finland's Donut Lab claimed earlier this year that it had developed a solid-s... » read more

Moving Electrons, Not Just Vehicles


Key Takeaways: There are several ways to convert AC power from the grid to DC power in the system. Some degrade the battery faster than others. Battery management systems monitor cell voltage, current, and temperature, helping to estimate state of charge, health, and useful remaining life. A PMIC with a multi-level converter is the most efficient way to get power from the battery to ... » read more

Automotive Outlook: 2026


The automotive industry stands at a crossroads entering 2026, facing a complex interplay of global tariffs, evolving electric vehicle (EV) dynamics, and the infusion of AI into just about everything. As manufacturers and suppliers navigate recent financing shifts and regulatory changes, they also must address consumer concerns over EV affordability and range, OEM concerns over when to develo... » read more

Meeting The Design Requirements For Bi-Directional On-Board Charging (OBC)


As the automotive industry shifts from internal combustion engines (ICE), powered by fossil fuel, to electric drivetrains, consumers must adapt their approach to 'fueling' their vehicles. In fact, there is no longer any requirement to use dedicated fueling stations. Instead, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles (xEV) can be charged either at home, at the office, or while shopping using ... » read more

Driving The Future Of Electrified Commercial Vehicles


The transition to electrified transportation is transforming industries worldwide, with commercial vehicles leading the charge toward sustainability. From eTrucks and eBuses to agricultural and construction vehicles, electrification is creating exciting opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and environmental impact. However, these vehicles come with unique challenges, such as higher energy ... » read more

Auto Ecosystem Begins Shift To Software-First


Experts at the Table: The automotive ecosystem is in the midst of an intense evolution as OEMs and tiered providers grapple with how to deal with legacy technology while incorporating ever-increasing levels of autonomy, electrification, and software-defined vehicle concepts. Semiconductor Engineering sat down to discuss these and other related issues with Wayne Lyons, senior director for the au... » read more

Power Module Design for Electric Vehicles – Addressing Reliability and Safety


This report presents an integrated approach to the efficient design of power modules used in electric vehicles and other high-power systems. The proposed flow enables the design of power modules for safety and reliability, co-optimizing die and package and obtaining power modules with reliable thermal performance at the design frequency and operating temperature. By incorporating a “shift lef... » read more

Managing Legacy In Automotive


Experts At The Table: The automotive ecosystem is in the midst of an intense evolution as OEMs and tiered providers grapple with how to deal with legacy technology while incorporating ever-increasing levels of autonomy, electrification, software defined vehicle concepts, just to name a few. Semiconductor Engineering sat down to discuss these and other related issues with Wayne Lyons, senior dir... » read more

Easing EV Range Anxiety Through Faster Charging


The automotive industry is developing new ways to boost the range of electric vehicles and the speed at which they are charged, overcoming buyer hesitation that has limited the total percentage of EVs to 18% of vehicles being sold.[1] Work is underway to improve how batteries are engineered and manufactured, and how they are managed while they are in use or being charged. This extends well b... » read more

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