Tech Explorers’ Post

The rise of electric vehicles brings new challenges and opportunities for materials engineering: 🔋 Lightweight materials are crucial for improving battery range and energy efficiency, such as aluminum alloys being used to reduce overall vehicle weight. 🔧 New composites and alloys are needed to handle the unique stresses and conditions of EVs, for instance, carbon fiber composites that offer strength and weight savings. 🌱 Sustainability must be at the core of material choices, minimizing environmental impact. For example, the European Union's end-of-life vehicle (ELV) directive encourages the use of recycled materials and mandates proper disposal and recycling of automotive materials to reduce waste and pollution. The future of EVs depends on how we innovate with materials, and there’s a lot of exciting progress happening right now! 👉 What new materials for EV applications have you come across recently? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below! 💬 #ElectricVehicles #MaterialsEngineering #Sustainability

𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 🔥 Millions of #ElectricVehicles are now being sold around the world, containing large lithium-ion batteries. For reasons of both safety and sustainability, these batteries must be recycled or carefully disposed of when the cars reach the end of their driving lives. To avoid fires damage, batteries should be discharged to 𝟎.𝟎𝐕. Usually, such deep discharging is performed by connection to resistors or through submersion in a salt solution. However, due to the discharge current derating proportionally to the terminal voltage, this procedure can be quite slow ⏳ “The significant challenge in battery recycling is the variability in chemistry and form factor, and that we have to be cautious to discharge them when they are recovered,” Elsa Olivetti says, professor of materials science and engineering and co-director of the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium. 🤔 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫? Have a look at this article “Automation solution from Bosch Rexroth industrializes deep discharging for battery recycling”: https://lnkd.in/e_-Jvtum For a deeper dive into the feasibility of a faster discharge procedure in terms of discharge speed, effectiveness, and safety, I found a study written by Lucas Van Genechten, “Fast deep discharging using a controllable load as pretreatment for EV battery recycling”: https://lnkd.in/euU5R3XE Do you see a business opportunity here?! 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬! #BatteryRecycling #Sustainability #Innovation

Finally it's #conference & #speaking time again: I'm looking forward to the 4th Design & Development of Zero-Emission Off-Highway Machinery Europe on May 22-23, 2024 in #Berlin, Germany: https://lnkd.in/dywsYSVn hosted by Innovatrix International. This conference will explore the #challenges and #opportunities in the design and #development of #zeroemissions #off-highway machinery, emphasizing the importance of #sustainability, technological advancements, and the collaborative efforts of #OEMs, #industries, #researchers, and policymakers. It also delves into the underlying principles, emerging technologies, and the promising path forward. Meet me and my colleagues from Webasto Group and discuss about "Smart #electrification with #standardized #batteries and #thermalmanagement" on the dirst day of the conference.

📤 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗩 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗔 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗘𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Henkel Natalia Soldan, Head of PEM's Circular Economy & Materials research group, emphasizes the need for careful evaluation of trade-offs in battery design, particularly concerning '𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙡-𝙩𝙤-𝙓' 𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨. The research from RWTH Aachen University and Henkel highlights significant benefits of repairing electric vehicle (EV) batteries instead of replacing them. It can 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟳𝟳% 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟵𝟭% compared to replacing the entire battery pack. This approach proves more economical and ecological within the first 80% of a battery's lifespan. Crucially, efficient battery design and materials are essential for enabling quick disassembly and reassembly without compromising performance or integrity, highlighting the importance of sustainable battery management practices. #BatteryTech #Battery #EV #Automotive #Automobile #Performance #AachenUni #BatteryDesign

Sustainability is becoming a larger driver for the design and use of fluid power technologies. Experts, including Chris Parisse from Bosch #Rexroth, weigh in on how #sustainability is affecting design and build choices. Read more in the latest article in Power & Motion magazine. #variablespeeddrives

𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭!  Download PDF Brochure : https://lnkd.in/dM_m26Q9 The Electric Vehicle (EV) Adhesives market is evolving with cutting-edge innovations that enhance performance, safety, and sustainability: ‣ Advanced Thermal Management: Next-gen adhesives for optimal battery performance and safety. ‣ Lightweight Formulations: Nano-enhanced and hybrid adhesives for weight reduction and strength. ‣ Sustainable Solutions: Bio-based and recyclable adhesives for a greener future. ‣ Electrical Insulation: Dielectric adhesives for safe, efficient battery operations. ‣ Application Techniques: Automated dispensing and UV-curable adhesives for precision and speed. ‣ Multi-Material Bonding: Specialized adhesives for bonding diverse materials. These innovations are driving the EV industry towards a more efficient and sustainable future! #Innovation #ElectricVehicles #EVAdhesives #Sustainability #AutomotiveTech #FutureMobility

In the 1950s, the advent of thermal spray technology marked a significant turning point in the industrial landscape, not only for its innovative approach to surface protection but also for its inherent sustainability benefits. During this era, industries were beginning to grapple with the environmental consequences of their operations. Traditional methods of coating application often involved the use of heavy, solvent-based paints and coatings, which not only consumed large amounts of raw materials but also generated substantial waste and emitted harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Thermal spray, however, introduced a game-changing alternative. By utilising a process that involved heating wire-form materials to a molten or semi-molten state and then projecting them onto a surface, thermal spray enabled the application of thin yet highly durable coatings. This technique significantly reduced the amount of material required compared to traditional painting methods, thereby minimising waste generation. Moreover, the versatility of thermal spray allowed for the deposition of a wide range of materials, providing tailored solutions for various industrial applications. This flexibility meant that manufacturers could select coatings optimised for specific performance requirements, ensuring optimal protection while minimising environmental impact. Furthermore, the durability and longevity of thermal spray coatings meant that they required less frequent maintenance and replacement compared to conventional coatings, further reducing resource consumption and waste generation over the long term. In essence, the emergence of thermal spray technology in the 1950s represented a forward-looking approach to sustainability. By enabling the application of thin coatings that offered robust protection with minimal material usage and waste generation, thermal spray became a cornerstone of environmentally conscious industrial practices. Today, this technology continues to play a vital role in advancing sustainability goals across various sectors, serving as a testament to the enduring relevance of innovative solutions in mitigating environmental impact while driving industrial progress. #didyouknowtuesday #metallisation #thermalspray #1950s #EnvironmentalAwareness #1950sTech

Exciting News! We've Been Granted a Patent for a Groundbreaking Eco-Friendly Vehicle Component! I'm thrilled to announce that our team has been awarded a patent for a revolutionary eco-friendly, lightweight component for use in vehicles! This innovation utilizes natural banana fiber, marking a significant step forward in sustainable automotive manufacturing. Here's what makes this invention special: Eco-Friendly: By incorporating banana fiber, a natural and renewable resource, we're reducing our reliance on traditional materials with a higher environmental footprint. Lightweight Design: The component's lightweight construction contributes to improved fuel efficiency and overall vehicle performance. Strong and Durable: Extensive testing has confirmed the component's ability to withstand the demands of automotive applications. This patent is a testament to our commitment to developing sustainable solutions for the automotive industry. We believe this technology has the potential to transform the way vehicles are manufactured, promoting a greener future for transportation. #innovation #sustainability #automotiveindustry #ecofriendlycars #patentgranted

What’s one key strategy for integrating circular economy principles into engineering? At the nasscom Design & Engineering Summit 2024, Dr. Rimjhim Agrawal, PhD - ABB Energy Industries, dived into the power of designing for durability and modularity—creating long-lasting, easily repairable, and upgradable products.  Watch the #SpeakerByte to know how this approach goes beyond smart design to reduce waste and drive sustainable innovation for the future. #nasscomDES #FindGrowth #SpeakerTalk