TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
In-wheel motor charges wirelessly
»
NSK has developed the third generation of its in-wheel motor, the world’s fi rst design of its type to feature
a complete package comprising motor, inverter and wireless charging unit. The innovative wireless in-wheel
motor (W-IWM) for the electric vehicle (EV) market is capable of charging from coils embedded in the
road, while in motion. Development of the latest unit was conducted jointly by a research group
comprising NSK, the Fujimoto Laboratory at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Frontier
Sciences, Bridgestone Corporation, ROHM and Toyo Electric.
Reducing CO2 emissions in order to achieve a low-carbon society is a global challenge
that calls strongly for reductions in automobile emissions, hence the growing development and
take-up of EVs. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the convenience of stationary EV charging
and the amount of resources required to produce large amounts of battery cells. Effi cient running with a minimal amount of
battery cells is therefore required for the sustainable spread of EVs. As a result, wireless charging while in motion has been capturing the
attention of OEMs keen on realising EVs with small batteries.
The third-generation W-IWM developed by the joint research group has vastly improved in-motion charging capability, motor performance and ease
of mounting, bringing together the features required for practical application.
Importantly, the W-IWM has been developed so that the in-motion wireless power receiver circuit, as well as the EV’s driving mechanism (motor
and inverter), fi t entirely inside the wheel.
In terms of motor performance, compared with the second-generation W-IWM for light vehicles announced in 2017 (12kW per wheel), the thirdgeneration
W-IWM has been created for use in larger passenger cars (25kW per wheel). Furthermore, while the second-generation W-IWM off ered an
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in-motion charging capacity of 10kW per wheel, the third-generation unit sees this performance climb to 20kW.
3D printing in seconds
»
Researchers from Switzerland’s Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) say they have developed a
completely new way of creating small 3D, soft objects that off er remarkable resolution “in a matter of seconds”.
The EPFL’s method draws on the principle of tomography, a method used mainly in medical imaging to build
a model of an object based on surface scans.
“It’s all about the light,” explained Paul Delrot, CTO of Readily3D, the company that has been set up to
develop and market the system. “The laser hardens the liquid through a process of polymerisation. Depending
on what we’re building, we use algorithms to calculate exactly where we need to aim the beams, from what
angles, and at what dose.”
The technology could have a wide range
of uses, but its advantages over existing
methods may assist medical experts.
Researchers believe the process could be
used, for instance, to make soft objects
such as tissue, organs, hearing aids and
mouthguards. What’s more, printing can
take place inside sealed, sterile containers,
preventing contamination.
“Conventional 3D printing techniques
build parts layer by layer,” added Damien
Loterie, CEO of Readily3D. “The problem is
that soft objects made that way quickly fall
apart.” What’s more, the process can be used to make delicate cell-laden scaff olds in which cells can develop
in a pressure-free 3D environment. The researchers teamed up with a surgeon to test 3D printed arteries made
using the technique. “The trial results were extremely encouraging,” Loterie said.
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