Materials expertise aids local companies
An
University of Warwick product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Dec 6, 2007
Professor Phil Mawby of University of Warwick is working with a number of Midlands companies to exploit the energy saving properties of silicon carbide.
Researchers at the University of Warwick are working with half a dozen Midlands companies to exploit an environmental wonder material that will soon bring significant energy savings in power systems used in our cars and planes, and even save energy in power generation and transmission system.
The wonder material is the compound known as silicon carbide and Professor Phil Mawby of University of Warwick is already working with a number of Midlands companies to exploit its energy saving properties.
Two examples of those companies who are happy to talk about their work now follow.
Converteam in Rugby engineers solutions based around three core components: rotating machines (motors and generators), drives and automation.
These innovative solutions have been adopted by wind turbine manufactures and need to be durable - particularly if they are placed out at sea where maintenance may not be quite so easy.
Currently electrical components in wind turbines require multiple switches to convert the wind energy to transmittable power.
Silicon carbide devices reduce the number of switches needed by 80% producing obvious durability benefits due to the reduced number of components at that crucial point that could potentially fail.
Professor Mawby is working with Zytek to explore if silicon carbide can be used in the power electronic components, that are used in Zytek's Electric drives for electric vehicle applications, Zytek currently supply E drives to a 5.5t urban delivery vehicle and the smart fortwo city car.
As silicon carbide is very durable it would enhance the reliability of the electric powertrain controller and increase its power handling capability.
Silicon carbide can also be used at engine compartment temperatures opening up avenues for technology to be used to increase the range of existing vehicles.
Professor Mawby has also just begun a long term research project with GE Aviation in Cheltenham to examine how heavy mechanical plane systems could be replaced by lighter Silicon Carbide based electrical systems.
Professor Mawby is also working on projects with other Midlands companies that that could employ silicon carbide in power steering systems, and in energy transmission across power lines.
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