ISSUE 029 January/February 2025 Evice Rolls-Royce Corniche dossier l Battery cell manufacturing focus l Battery Show USA report l Dynisma DMG family digest l Isolation technologies insight l Modular batteries focus

48 IPM01’s high-permeability alloy attenuates electromagnetic noise effectively. Unlike aluminium or traditional, ferrite-based materials, its performance is superior, even at reduced thickness. The material absorbs electromagnetic energy and converts it into heat, aided by a conductive copper layer that reflects noise back into the absorptive medium. “It takes a much thicker piece of aluminium to absorb the same signal,” Burton notes. The material’s flexibility makes it suitable for a variety of shielding applications within EV powertrains and other electronic systems. Supplied in 300 mm x 200 mm sheets, it can be cut to precise shapes using scissors or dies, allowing designers to shield individual components or entire cases. The material sticks using doublesided tape and is robust enough for industrial handling, although sharp bends should be avoided. Burton emphasises: “It’s not delicate, like gold leaf. It’s robust, yet adaptable for flat or gently curved surfaces.” IPM01 can eliminate the use of heavy, bulky metal housings for inverters and DC-DC converters. And its ability to isolate or contain EMI on specific circuits enhances system performance. TDK plans to release a (thicker) high-temperature variant, capable of operating at up to 150 C, with tripled shielding effectiveness. TLX Technologies discussed its modular-valve technology, developed to address the growing complexity and performance demands of EV thermalmanagement systems. The valves are designed to offer flexibility, efficiency and compatibility with various voltage and communication protocols. TLX Technologies’ Dennis Jensen, says the rationale behind the innovation: “There just weren’t a lot of options for valves that were e-mobility ready, able to withstand harsh environments and demanding performance requirements, at a cost-effective price point.” The valve’s design includes both 12 V and 24 V DC support within the same package, enabling global compatibility. And the integrated control board accommodates LIN and PWM communication protocols, providing manufacturers with the ability to adapt mid-project without major redesigns. “If specs change during development, you don’t have to dump your work. This valve can handle both,” Jensen says. Port sizes are capped at 25.4 mm to balance cost and applicability across vehicle types, from light-duty trucks to commercial semis. Although the initial modular valve products exclude CAN bus connectivity to reduce cost, TLX can adjust the board to support CAN if it is critical for a customer’s project. The valve is engineered for minimal energy consumption. Unlike traditional valves that require constant power to maintain position, TLX’s modular valve uses a pulse to switch position and it remains locked without ongoing energy draw. Internal leakage has been minimised, with rates measured in cubic centimetres per minute at a flow of 100 litres per minute. TLX plans to expand its modularvalve offerings, including a three-way, proportional set for testing in 2025. It envisions broader applications in thermal-management systems, especially as EVs increasingly integrate AI for predictive maintenance. Dynamic thermal management is the future, Jensen asserts, stressing that the new modular valves provide the physical means to act on advanced data and keep EVs running efficiently. Show report | Battery Show USA January/February 2025 | E-Mobility Engineering Test set-up for TDK’s IPM01 permalloy electromagnetic noise-suppression sheets (Image courtesy of TDK) TLX Technologies’ four-way switching valve for thermalmanagement liquids (Image courtesy of TLX Technologies)

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mzk4