This masterclass defines and introduces the benefits and challenges of existing and future EIVs. The key enabling technologies for EIVs include super-efficient powertrains, energy harvesting, extreme lightweighting and extreme streamlining. Learn how this is not a "big bang" transition: all these technologies are increasingly being proven on vehicles that are not yet fully energy independent. For example, vehicles land, water and air achieve increases of in range/ duration of 30% or more by adoption of energy harvesting creating electricity from ambient energy such as thermals, wind and sun: we give examples. The often different options for energy harvesting between land, water and air vehicles is compared. In creating the "perpetual" vehicle there is an alternative to the EIV called dynamic charging and the advantages and disadvantages are compared: we project the future of both. The importance of multi-mode energy harvesting for EIVs and leveraging traditional mechanical harvesting such as sails and gliders is explained. Choices for the key enabling technologies are introduced and compared. A large number of EIVs are described with lessons for the future, investment priorities and largest potential identified.

 

 

Structural electronics (SE) is one of the most important technological developments of this century. It forms a key part of the dream, formulated decades ago, of computing disappearing into the fabric of society. Structural electronics involves electronic and/or electrical components and circuits that act as load-bearing, protective structures, replacing dumb structures such as vehicle bodies or conformally placed upon them. It is of huge interest to the aerospace industry which is usually the first adopter, the automotive industry and in civil engineering both with compelling needs but its reach is much broader even than this. Electric cars badly need longer range and more space for the money and, in civil engineering, corrosion of reinforced concrete structures and tighter requirements for all structures, including early warning of problems, are among the market drivers for structural electronics.

 

This introductory masterclass to the topic reviews the applications for structural electronics, now and emerging, assessing what is happening and what is still needed. Progress by key technology type is given including key suppliers and the technology roadmaps. This will cover topics such as smart skin, 3D printed electronics, flexible and printed electronics systems, energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors forming structures), molded electronics, building integrated photovoltaics and textile based electronics. Global trends and the market outlook is provided based on new IDTechEx research on the topic matter.

As they progress to energy independence, land and air vehicles have requirements and options that are usually different from those for marine vehicles and this masterclass reveals all the options. For example, regenerative braking is practical for land vehicles and there is an equivalent in having an aircraft propeller reverse during descent and its wheels grab energy on landing: not so in water. Eliminating the energy storage is impractical in the marine environment because so much energy is needed to push through water but you can buy and EIV bus with no battery today and in certain circumstances this approach will be practicable in the air. Land vehicles sometimes have the challenges of providing distributed local power for vectored trust and steering and the new distributed thrust aircraft are a similar challenge. Morphing wings, inflated dirigibles and the newly possible integration of thrust and aerodynamics are unique to aircraft. Reducing weight and volume of equipment is vital here. Indeed, energy harvesting at lights, sensors and actuators to eliminate many kg of copper wiring is of interest for land vehicles and aircraft but of much less interest in the marine environment. We report progress. Electrodynamic and photovoltaic harvesting and other options are covered including their combination and application in ways peculiar to this environment such as regenerative suspension in land vehicles. The most relevant new technologies are chosen from triboelectrics, thermoelectrics, piezoelectrics, dielectric elastomer generators, electret and other options. Learn the routes to multi-mode energy harvesting and the benefits sought, from joint installations the smart fibers.

 

So what of battery elimination? In our research for the new IDTechEx report, "Battery Elimination in Electronics and Electrical Engineering" we found that there is significant progress towards vehicles with fewer batteries, smaller batteries and, yes, without batteries and even without any form of energy storage. It is being done by removing unnecessary specifications, reducing electricity needed, applying new formats and chemistries of energy harvesting and new system and circuit design. We explain.

Extreme lightweighting involves new materials such as composites, new morphology such as controlled voiding, new manufacture such as 3D printing of electronics and combination of functions such as the components-in-a-box approach being replaced by smart materials combining optical, mechanical, electronic and electrical functions or at least some of them. This saves cost, weight and space and increasing reliability and life - call it structural electronics. Ships diverting wave power to lift them up in the water, reducing drag, and the new hydrofoil solar EIV boats are also part of the lightweighting story. This masterclass gives definitions, options, trends, goals and ultimate potential with a profusion of examples and dreams. What photovoltaics, motors etc. will have outstanding power to weight ratio? What energy storage will excel in kW/kg? The significance and construction of wireless lighting, sensors and actuators in eliminating heavy wiring is covered. It reveals the surprisingly different approaches of different manufacturers and developers to similar challenges with electric vehicles as they progress towards being energy independent.

This masterclass embraces the construction, function and future of lithium-ion and post-lithium traction batteries, supercapacitors and hybrid supercapacitors serving the transition of electric vehicles to being energy independent. It explains why flywheel KERS is of limited use here and how the other components are moving to versions that are non-flammable, non-toxic and suitable for shaping into structural electronics. We reveal how popular the different options will be in EVs land, water and air and why. The trend to higher energy density is forecasted and the points where breakthrough advances in vehicle function become possible. We explain why the rapid change in anode, cathode, electrolyte and format of lithium-ion batteries at a time when production is being increased more than tenfold is a risk and how that may be manifested. We look at the contest between exohedral and heirarchical carbon allotropes, ionic, organic solid state inorganic and aqueous electrolytes and other options. How are sodium-ion, lithium-air, lithium-sulfur and other options shaping up?

This masterclass defines the hybrid and pure electric vehicle and reveals the advantages, disadvantages, future and challenges of the different variants. It covers the vehicles, the systems and the components. Why are manufacturers expanding laterally to make on-road, off-road, water and air vehicles when there seems to be plenty of room in what is becoming a trillion dollar market? What is the league table by sales of EV manufacturer and how is it trending? Why are autonomous vehicles usually electric? Powertrain trends are given including how, why and when the massive move into 48V mild hybrid on-road vehicles in 2017 by traditional manufacturers will eventually lead to many of these vehicles becoming electric in having pure electric modes. Learn why and when electric car sales will go into decline but other EV markets, including new ones, will power on upward. Where will the wealth be generated and where will the greatest benefits to society accrue? Learn how autonomy of navigation, task and energy leverage each other and see many examples of this today. We explain why, so far, most of these are in the air. IDTechEx teaches the key enabling technologies batteries, traction electric motors and power electronics and explains how power electronics will increase in complexity and function (add energy harvesting/ regeneration, V2G/ V2H modules, contactless charging unit etc.) to take more of the pie than batteries, the currently dominant component. Why are supercapacitors and switched reluctance motors unusually popular in industrial vehicles? We then dive into the construction of the batteries, supercapacitors, power semiconductors, electric motors and other parts involved and how they are being improved to meet the transition to energy independence but we warn that many new options involve toxic materials - cyanide, arsenic, lead, bismuth.....Will we be mental or environmental? Escape routes.