SightGlass

Rheinmetall, known by most as a defence contractor and automotive component manufacturer, is making a name for itself for advancements in thermal management of electric and hydrogen powertrains.  The German company recently secured a major deal with a global truck manufacturer worth millions of Euros for several hundred thousand of its hi-tech CWA 2000 electric … Continue reading Somebody has placed a huge order for electric truck thermal management

EV battery swapping is a process that involves replacing a depleted battery pack with a fully charged unit at a dedicated swapping station, enabling drivers to get back on the road in less than the time it takes to top-up a tank of petrol. The drained batteries are then recharged, typically during off-peak energy times. … Continue reading EV battery swapping back on the agenda: But how do thermal management connections work?

SAE International has chosen Mahle’s Differential Inductive Positioning System (DIPS) as the preferred alignment method for wireless EV charging standard the SAE J2954, concluding a 10-year effort to establish a standardised solution. Mahle chair and CEO said the decision “confirms the systems expertise of Mahle in electrification”. Continue reading SAE selects Mahle tech as wireless EV charging standard

Sunswap, a UK-based clean-tech company, is on a mission to revolutionise the global cold chain industry with its groundbreaking solar and battery-powered transport refrigeration unit. The company, founded by Michael Lowe, Nikolai Tauber, and Andrew Sucis in January 2020, is driven by the goal of disrupting and decarbonising the reefer sector through their innovative technology. Continue reading Cooled by the sun: Sunswap’s solar-powered electric transport refrigeration unit

CES: Construction Equipment Show?

This year’s CES exhibition – formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show but famously became one of the world’s biggest car shows in recent years – included a surprising amount of earthmoving equipment among the transparent televisions, artificial intelligence toilets (no, really) and other gadgets. Held annually in Las Vegas, CES is where companies debut … Continue reading CES: Construction Equipment Show?

Porsche GT4 e-Performance

Believe it or not, there is a link between the Porsche GT4 e-Performance cover star of SightGlass edition 32 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N that graced edition 31 – less obvious that both are performance cars which likely borrowed heavily from technology developed by Croatian electric hypercar manufacturer Rimac in which both companies have … Continue reading Oil cooled and not a refrigerant in sight: inside the Porsche GT4 e-Performance

Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) have devised a solar-powered test chamber with battery storage, enabling year-round validation of cooling systems in a controlled environment. The facility maintains a consistent 51–54°C and allows for accurate measurement of temperature, humidity, and air velocity. Its calibration was conducted based on the results of a full-scale experiment on … Continue reading Passive downdraft cooling system experiment

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have made a significant breakthrough by generating electricity from latent heat produced during a substance’s phase transition through the phenomenon known as the thermoelectric effect.  This breakthrough has profound implications for enhancing thermocells, devices that convert temperature differences into electricity. With increasing global temperatures and demand for cooling, this … Continue reading Latent heat energy breakthrough

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF) in Germany are making significant progress in the development of electrocaloric heat pumps that offer a promising alternative to compressor technology, with the goal of increasing efficiency and offering a more eco-friendly alternative to refrigerants. This type of heat pump utilises the unique properties … Continue reading Refrigerant-free heat pump

Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed an innovative solution to tackle the persistent problem of potholes caused by freezing and thawing during the winter, which could significantly improve the state of major roads across Britain. Potholes are created by three main factors: First, road surface cracks develop due to traffic. Second, water enters … Continue reading Can heat pumps prevent potholes?