eTech Learning: EV & AV Technology

In this episode of the eTech podcast, Ryan Maughan speak to Dr Mark Selby the CTO of Ceres Power PLC. Ceres Power develop and licence Solid Oxide Fuel Cell technology from their base in the UK.

This episode follows on from an earlier episode with Proton Motor Power Systems who are leaders in low temperature PEM fuel cell technology, we had a lot of listener questions about alternative fuel cell technologies so we asked Mark to come and talk to us about SOFC technology.

Ryan and Mark discuss many aspects of solid oxide fuel cell technology, Mark’s passion and expert knowledge make this a fascinating conversation. We learn why solid oxide fuel cells are called that, how SOFC’s work and what kind of applications they are being used in from data centres to range extended buses. Mark also tells us how SOFC fuel cells compare to low temperature PEM fuel cells.

The Fuel Cell market is set to grow as the world transitions to zero emission technology to reduce CO2 and Improve air quality, there is unlikely to be a single solution that takes the whole market and it does seem like SOFC will be a critical technology for the future of clean renewable energy, green chemical production and electro mobility.

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Mark Selby LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-selby-aa664312/

Ceres Power PLC Corporate Website https://www.ceres.tech/

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

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For this episode of the eTech podcast, Ryan Maughan speaks to Dr Greg Offer from Imperial College London about battery cell technology. Greg is a world-renowned expert in battery cell electrochemistry and technology, in particular thermal characterisation and degradation characteristics.

They discuss a huge range of battery cell technology including; the importance of cell thermal management and the impact on degradation in battery cells. Imperial’s cell cooling co-efficient.

That all battery cells even of the same form factor are not created equally and there are huge differences in the thermal characteristics which can have a knock-on impact on the real world performance of the battery pack.

The differences in cell form factor, how cylindrical cells compare to prismatic and pouch cells. As well as Tesla’s recent patent on cylindrical cell design to eliminate jelly roll, improve volumetric fill, improve current collection and heat rejection. https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/068655755/publication/US2020144676A1?q=us%202020%2F0144676


IE article about Tesla patent - https://interestingengineering.com/teslas-new-battery-cell-patent-way-more-important-than-it-sounds-says-elon-musk


Dr Greg Offer LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-offer-3180379/

Dr Greg Offer, Imperial webpage - http://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/gregory.offer

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

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For this episode of the eTech podcast, Ryan Maughan responds to several questions we have had from listeners on the topic of 800V powertrains for electric vehicles. As more and more manufacturers are announcing vehicles with 800V systems, Ryan looks at why OEM's are looking to 800V and what are the key drivers

Ryan discusses charge speeds, efficiency and performance and the kind of applications where 800V can deliver the most benefit.

Check out episode 45 where we talked to ON semiconductor about switching devices including SiC and our YouTube video https://youtu.be/SxSywlYPrFU where Tim Iceton and Ryan Maughan discuss power electronics design:

Podcast back catalogue can be found here https://avidtp.com/about/podcasts/

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

Follow eTech49 on social media:
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Functional safety is a hugely important topic that touches on almost every aspect of the vehicle development, manufacture and maintenance cycle especially with more and more electronics systems onboard. The principle standard for automotive control systems is ISO26262 and it is a topic of much debate.

For this episode of the eTech podcast Ryan Maughan takes a look at functional safety and ISO26262 with expert Alastair Walker from Lorit Consultancy.

Ryan and Alastair discuss functional safety and ISO26262 and how it is used in the development cycle. How it compares to functional safety in other markets such as aerospace and medical tech.

Alastair also tells us how agile software development can work in a safety critical development and some tools and approaches that can help to streamline the process.

It is a really interesting technical discussion with a recognised leader functional safety.

Alastair Walker LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastair-walker-410a549/

Lorit Consultancy Corporate Website - https://lorit-consultancy.com/en/home/

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

Follow eTech49 on social media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/etech49-limited
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For this episode of the eTech podcast Ryan Maughan takes a deep look at Fuel Cell technology with Manfred Limbrunner from Proton Motor Power Systems PLC.

Ryan and Manfred discuss Proton Motor’s business and its history including their little known link to AVID’s home of Newcastle in the North East of England.

Manfred and Ryan talk about the technology used in Proton’s fuel cell systems and how hydrogen fuel cells work and how they fit alongside battery technology.

They also discuss the current applications where their Fuel Cells are finding traction. Including how Fuel Cell systems are being used in mobile applications such as trucks and stationary energy storage connected to renewables.

It is a really interesting technical discussion with a recognised leader in the Fuel Cell market.

Manfred Limbrunner LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfred-limbrunner-77a66928/

Proton Motor Corporate website - https://www.proton-motor.de/gb/

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

Follow eTech49 on social media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/etech49-limited
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We are regularly asked about ultracapacitors and how they fit in to the energy storage mix, do they compete with or complement battery technology? What makes a capacitor ultra?

For this episode of the eTech podcast Ryan Maughan takes a deep look at ultracapacitor technology with Dr Sebastian Pohlmann, VP of Innovation at Skeleton Technologies.

Ryan and Sebastian discuss ultracapacitors, what they are and how they are used in energy storage and electrification and answer these questions.

Sebastian also tells us about Skeleton’s advanced curved graphene ultracapacitors and the further benefits they can bring. They also discuss dry electrode technology and Tesla’s acquisition of Maxwell Technology in 2019.

It is a really interesting technical discussion with a recognised leader in the ultracapacitor field.

Sebastian Pohlmann LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-pohlmann-a87a2114b/

Skeleton Technologies Corporate website - https://www.skeletontech.com/

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

Follow eTech49 on social media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/etech49-limited
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For this episode of the eTech podcast, Ryan Maughan speaks to Eva Hakansson and Bill Dubé from the GreenEnvy Racing team.

Eva and Bill tell us about the GreenEnvy project to build a fully electric land speed record breaking streamliner motorcycle.

GreenEnvy is their second fully electric land speed record motorbike following on from the highly successful Killajoule. We learn about the design of the GreenEnvy, what Eva and Bill learnt from Killajoule and some of the revolutionary technology they are using, including why they have re-invented the wheel.

We hear about why their first land speed record attempt had to be aborted at the last moment and what their plans are for the future.

This was a fantastic discussion with Eva and Bill and we are sure you will enjoy it. Bill and Eva are not cheque book racers, they undertake the development and construction themselves. As well as breaking speed records Bill and Eva spend a lot of time using their racing exploits to promote electrification and encourage children to look at science, technology, engineering and maths careers.

These guys are legends, if you can support this great project please visit their website!

GreenEnvy Racing website: http://greenenvyracing.com/
Eva Hakansson Racing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvaHakanssonRacing/
Eva Hakansson Racing on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwxRuhlyUXKbCEJzb2ONncQ

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

Follow eTech49 on social media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/etech49-limited
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For this episode of the eTech podcast Ryan Maughan speaks to Robbert Lohman from Autonomous Transport Systems provider 2getthere.

Robbert has been involved in the development and deployment of autonomous transport and logistics systems for around 20 years, a long time before the current tech hype cycle started! His company 2getthere is now a subsidiary of the ZF group who are a major tier 1 automotive supplier.

2getthere design, develop and deploy autonomous transport systems. Particularly focused on first mile and last mile connectivity to mass transit. They have systems operating in a wide variety of applications and countries building up a wealth of expertise in the area.

Ryan and Robbert discuss the AV space current state of the art and future trends, it was a fascinating discussion that contains some surprises, we hope you get some value from it too.

Remember to subscribe, rate and comment! We love to hear any feedback or questions you may have. Also, make sure to check our back catalogue of videos and podcasts to learn more about the technology that goes into electric and autonomous vehicles!

2getthere corporate website – https://www.2getthere.eu
Robbert Lohman LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbertlohmann/

GRT vehicle information page - https://www.2getthere.eu/grt-vehicle-automated-minibus/
PRT vehicle information page - https://www.2getthere.eu/prt-vehicle-automated-taxi/
2getthere vehicle build video - https://youtu.be/WXxLF2ukSSU

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

Follow eTech49 on social media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/etech49-limited
Twitter - https://twitter.com/acexryan

For this episode of the eTech podcast Ryan Maughan speaks to Deres Eshete, who is Global Head of Automotive Business Development at ON Semiconductor. We discuss power switching device technology and ON’s growing business and focus on the rapidly expanding electrified powertrain market.

On Semiconductor is a Fortune 500 Semiconductor design and manufacturing business, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States of America.

With revenues in excess of $3 Billion per annum ON is a leader in the power switching device market. If you aren’t familiar with the ON Semiconductor name the company was formed in 1999 as a spinoff from Motorola’s semiconductor business. Since then ON has acquired several famous semiconductor manufacturing businesses in the switching device world including Cherry, Sanyo and Fairchild.

Switching devices like IGBT’s and MOSFET’s are the heart of modern variable speed motor control electronics. The switching devices are turned on and off to make the motor spin! We did a detailed explainer video that you can find here: https://youtu.be/SxSywlYPrFU if you are interested in more information. They are also essential for sensor systems such as LIDAR used in autonomous technology. Deres talks us through the technology and what ON Semi are doing to advance both technology and manufacturing capacity.

Remember to subscribe, rate and comment! We love to hear any feedback or questions you may have. Also, make sure to check our back catalogue of videos and podcasts to learn more about the technology that goes into electric vehicles!

ON Semiconductor corporate website - https://www.onsemi.com/

Deres Eshete Linkedin profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deres/

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

Follow eTech49 on social media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/etech49-limited
Twitter - https://twitter.com/acexryan

For this episode of the eTech podcast Ryan Maughan speaks to Isobel Sheldon who is the Director of Business Development at the new UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).

Isobel has been involved in Lithium battery development for almost 20 years and has really in depth knowledge in the subject. We discuss all aspects of battery technology from the current state of the art in cell technology and manufacturing to what is coming in the future.

Isobel tells us about the amazing UKBIC a new battery cell development and manufacturing facility that is opening this year, and she answers some questions about future battery technology from silicon anodes to solid state cells. It was an absolutely fascinating discussion, we are sure you will get great value from listening!

Remember to subscribe, rate and comment! We love to hear any feedback or questions you may have. Also, make sure to check our back catalogue of videos and podcasts to learn more about the technology that goes into electric vehicles!

UKBIC corporate website - https://www.ukbic.co.uk
Isobel Sheldon LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/isobel-sheldon-62a0b987

Ryan Maughan LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-maughan-a2893610/

eTech website - https://www.etech49.com

Follow eTech49 on social media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/etech49-limited
Twitter - https://twitter.com/acexryan