CEA Tech’s Contribution Includes Liten’s Knowhow in Magnetic Materials and Simulation
And Leti’s Expertise in Wide-bandgap Semiconductors
GRENOBLE, France – Oct. 20, 2017 – Leti, a research institute of CEA Tech, today announced a new European Horizon 2020 project to develop innovative electric drivetrains for third-generation electric vehicles.
Bringing together 10 European research institutes, key members of the automotive-industry value chain and universities, the ModulED project will focus on boosting drivetrain performance to meet vehicle-owner requirements, making manufacturing more efficient and reducing environmental impact and vehicle cost. The project team will leverage recent innovations from diverse industries. These include integrating the frequency, voltage and high-temperature benefits of wide-bandgap semiconductors fabricated with gallium nitride. These devices allow the electronic circuitry that changes direct current to alternating current (DC-AC) to be integrated directly into the motor.
Other recent innovations the project will develop for the new drivetrains include:
- Processes for manufacturing magnetic materials for the magnetic part of the motor, lowering the density of the rare-earth element
- Motor architecture that allows modularity in production
- Transmission and cooling systems that are compatible with hybrid vehicles
- Optimization of braking systems to recover energy in the braking phase.
“Electric vehicles are a key component of the EU’s commitment to limit climate change, but current electric vehicles face challenges preventing large market acceptance, including consumer resistance due to cost and limited driving ranges,” said Bernard Strée, project coordinator at Leti. “ModulED will target these challenges via the manufacturing process, including the mass-production context, increased value-chain involvement and lifecycle analysis for optimized duration and minimized environmental impact.”
Coordinated by Leti, the three-year, €7.2 million project includes the companies BRUSA Elektronik AG (Switzerland), Punch Powertrain NV (Belgium), ZG GmbH (Germany), Siemens (France), Efficient Innovation (France); universities RTWH Aachen University, Chalmers University and Eindhoven University of Technology, and Leti’s sister institute, Liten.
The ModulED project, which leverages Leti’s expertise in wide-bandgap semiconductors along with Liten’s knowhow in magnetic materials and simulation, launches this month in Grenoble.
About Leti (France)
Leti, a technology research institute at CEA Tech, is a global leader in miniaturization technologies enabling smart, energy-efficient and secure solutions for industry. Founded in 1967, Leti pioneers micro- & nanotechnologies, tailoring differentiating applicative solutions for global companies, SMEs and startups. Leti tackles critical challenges in healthcare, energy and digital migration. From sensors to data processing and computing solutions, Leti’s multidisciplinary teams deliver solid expertise, leveraging world-class pre-industrialization facilities. With a staff of more than 1,900, a portfolio of 2,700 patents, 91,500 sq. ft. of cleanroom space and a clear IP policy, the institute is based in Grenoble, France, and has offices in Silicon Valley and Tokyo. Leti has launched 60 startups and is a member of the Carnot Institutes network. Follow us on www.leti.fr/en and @CEA_Leti.
About Liten (France)
Liten, another technology research institute at CEA Tech, is dedicated to new energy technologies, focusing on four key areas: solar energy, batteries, hydrogen and fuel cells, and advanced materials, addressing electricity production, building, transport and mobile electronics as main markets. The institute based in Grenoble, is composed of 1000 employees, and holds à portfolio of 1,340 patents.
Follow us on www.liten.fr/en
CEA Tech is the technology research branch of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), a key player in innovative R&D, defense & security, nuclear energy, technological research for industry and fundamental science. In 2015, Thomson Reuters identified CEA as the most innovative research organization in the world.
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