• Tony Vitolo, Electronic Design
    6824b1ce5c8cd51036e46207 Powerbitesnew

    This Week in PowerBites: Record-Setting Power Grid, Powerful Passives

    May 14, 2025
    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.

    What you’ll learn:

    • A nano-engineered hybrid anode material holds promise to boost capacity and longevity of Li-Ion batteries.
    • New developments in open-source protocol software for EV charging stations will make them more user-friendly, work more smoothly with utilities, and easier to deploy.
    • California power utilities are using grid-scale storage to support record-breaking periods of all-renewable operation.
    • Advances in IGBTs and LED controllers/drivers for automotive applications.
    • Passives in play with a new thick-film resistor and new rugged relays.

    Technology Advances

    Dongguk University and Dreamstime
    promo_fig
    Researchers at Dongguk University unveiled a nanoscale-engineered hybrid anode material that enhances Li-ion battery energy storage and cycling stability.
    ID 141544934 © Lovelyday12 | Dreamstime.com
    renewable_dreamstime_l_141544934
    Supplementing the CA grid’s wind and solar generating capacity with up to 9.72 GW of peak power, large-scale storage led to 100% renewable operation during parts of 79 out of ...
    ID 365125499 © Kittichai Boonpong | Dreamstime.com
    evcharging_dreamstime_l_365125499
    The Linux Foundation’s update to its open-source Charging Station Management System software stack enables most legacy station equipment to support smoother transactions and advanced...
    ID 254007506 © Pop Nukoonrat | Dreamstime.com
    sustainable_dreamstime_l_254007506
    The MIT-GE Vernova Energy and Climate Alliance will collaborate on research, education, and developing career opportunities related to sustainable energy systems.

    ProductBites

    This month’s grab bag of the latest power-related products includes advanced IGBTs and specialized LED controller drivers for automotive applications, plus a highly integrated PMIC that’s tailored for high-performance computing applications. And don’t miss the pair of rugged relays that boldly go where solid-state switches fear to tread!

    Automotive Power Products

    Infineon Technologies
    250421_peodmod_infineon_ev_igbts_web
    Infineon’s latest IGBT and RC-IGBT devices offer lower losses, improved performance, and reliability for electric-vehicle drivetrains and more.
    ID 107552055 © Scanrail | Dreamstime.com
    car_headlight_dreamstime_l_107552055
    Target applications for NOVOSENSE’s smart LED controller/drivers include automotive interior light modules, charging door indicators, and body lighting.
    Allegro MicroSystems
    250408_prodmod_allegro_motor_and_thermal_control_w
    Allegro’s latest current sensors and fan driver ICs help boost performance and energy efficiency for automotive and industrial applications.

    Power Conversion

    Microchip Technology
    250410_prodmod_microchip_pmic_web
    The MCP16701 PMIC from Microchip integrates buck converters, low-dropout voltage regulators, and a controller.
    ID 54297341 © Michal Bednarek | Dreamstime.com
    industrial_dreamstime_l_54297341
    High-density power modules developed by Vicor make it possible to bridge 48-V and legacy 12-V power buses in industrial, HPC, and other applications.

    Power Passives

    Infineon Technologies
    250421_peodmod_infineon_ev_igbts_web
    Infineon’s latest IGBT and RC-IGBT devices offer lower losses, improved performance, and reliability for electric-vehicle drivetrains and more.
    Microchip Technology
    250415_prodmod_pickering_and_microchip_relays_1_pr
    Pickering and Microchip march on with new electromechanical solutions that handle tasks which are still a struggle for their solid-state counterparts.

    More PowerBites

    Lee Goldberg © Endeavor Business Media
    powerbites_promo
    Check out the latest from power technology expert Lee Goldberg.
    Tony Vitolo/Electronic Design
    powerbitesnew
    Electronic Design’s intrepid editors returned from the IEEE’s APEC 2025 conference with a heaping helping of the most innovative products, disruptive technologies, and important...

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