• Tony Vitolo/Electronic Design
    6853226de2eb0206838e29ed Powerbitesnew

    This Week in PowerBites: EV Battery Recycling and Bidirectional Power Conversion

    June 20, 2025
    Top trends this month: Bidirectional power conversion is now “a thing,” power innovations accelerate the evolution of EV body electronics, and Nixie Tubes are cool again.
    Related To:

    What you’ll learn:

    • Commercial EV battery reuse/recycling operations show promise to yield significant economic, environmental, and security benefits.
    • The arrival of single-stage bidirectional power-conversion devices change the rules for designing EV chargers, solar inverters, and energy storage systems.
    • Hybrid-electric aircraft are preparing to enter commercial service as early as 2028.
    • Advanced power controllers bring higher efficiency and new features to power-hungry AI applications.
    • Modern tech helps Nixie tube displays bring a touch of retro-cool to (almost) any design.  

    Technology Features

    Magnix, Electra, Ampaire, Heart Aero
    promo1920x1080
    The first commuter aircraft, powered by super-efficient hybrid-electric propulsion systems, could be taking their first paying passengers sometime in 2027. Part 3 provides an ...
    ID 275166289 © Tatiana Golmer | Dreamstime.com
    liion_dreamstime_l_275166289
    As battery-recycling technologies mature, they promise to create a “circular supply chain” that lowers product costs and environmental impact while reducing dependence on strategically...

    ProductBites

    The month’s product highlights include the arrival of single-stage, bidirectional, power-conversion devices that change the rules for designing EV chargers, solar inverters, and energy storage systems Also in the mix are advanced power controllers that offer higher efficiency and new features to power-hungry AI applications, and Nixie tube displays bringing a touch of retro-cool to (almost) any design. 

    Feeding the AI Beast

    ID 316776222 © Silga Belte | Dreamstime.com
    aidatacenter_dreamstime_l_316776222
    Navitas Semiconductor’s next-generation power-supply unit meets OCP requirements for high-power, high-density server racks.
    Alpha and Omega Semiconductor
    250505_prodmod_aplha_omega_multiphase_controller_w
    Alpha and Omega’s dual-output eight-phase controller provides a complete power-management solution for AMD AM5 desktop and Navi44/48 graphics platforms.
    Microchip Technology
    250429_prodmod_microchip_ai_power_module_promo
    Microchip’s latest power module targeting AI systems includes integrated I2C and PMBus interfaces for flexible configuration and monitoring.

    Automotive Advances

    ID 302240719 © Cherezoff | Dreamstime.com
    autodesign_dreamstime_302240719
    Claimed as the industry's fastest automotive-grade high-withstand voltage detector, it achieves 6.8-μs response time with low standby current.
    Power Integrations
    250506_powerint_1700v_switcher_ic_promo
    New reference designs for Power Integrations’ 1,700-V-rated InnoSwitch 3-AQ flyback IC deliver 16 to 120 W with high reliability and low BOM count.
    ID 195324719 © Dzmitry Palubiatka | Dreamstime.com
    auto_dreamstime_195324719
    STMicroelectronics’ L9206 has six configurable high-side/low-side outputs and two high-side outputs, delivering a flexible solution in a range of compact outlines.

    Power Conversion

    Motor Drivers and Motion Control

    ID 36550735 © Barlic | Dreamstime.com
    factory_dreamstime_l_36550735
    A pair of half-bridge drivers from STMicroelectronics help designers deliver improved efficiency, power density, and ruggedness.

    Too Cool to be Classified

    MIKROE (generated with AI)
    250224prodmodmikrotrickynixies2_promo
    MIKROE’s Nixie Power Click add-on board and Nixie shield deliver the “retro” look for visually striking and nostalgic projects.

    More PowerBites

    Lee Goldberg © Endeavor Business Media
    powerbites_promo
    Check out the latest from power technology expert Lee Goldberg.
    Tony Vitolo, Electronic Design
    powerbitesnew
    Battery technology continues to play an increasingly influential role in the power universe, while venerable relays and IGBTs remain relevant in defense and automotive applications...
    About the Author

    Lee Goldberg | Contributing Editor

    Lee Goldberg is a self-identified “Recovering Engineer,” Maker/Hacker, Green-Tech Maven, Aviator, Gadfly, and Geek Dad. He spent the first 18 years of his career helping design microprocessors, embedded systems, renewable energy applications, and the occasional interplanetary spacecraft. After trading his ‘scope and soldering iron for a keyboard and a second career as a tech journalist, he’s spent the next two decades at several print and online engineering publications.

    Lee’s current focus is power electronics, especially the technologies involved with energy efficiency, energy management, and renewable energy. This dovetails with his coverage of sustainable technologies and various environmental and social issues within the engineering community that he began in 1996. Lee also covers 3D printers, open-source hardware, and other Maker/Hacker technologies.

    Lee holds a BSEE in Electrical Engineering from Thomas Edison College, and participated in a colloquium on technology, society, and the environment at Goddard College’s Institute for Social Ecology. His book, “Green Electronics/Green Bottom Line - A Commonsense Guide To Environmentally Responsible Engineering and Management,” was published by Newnes Press.

    Lee, his wife Catherine, and his daughter Anwyn currently reside in the outskirts of Princeton N.J., where they masquerade as a typical suburban family.

    Lee also writes the regular PowerBites series. 

    Email

    Continue Reading

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Comments

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Electronic Design, create an account today!