e-Power

Rotor Sails Bring Windpower Propulsion Back to Maritime Vessels 

Adapting a century-old concept to modern technology and green energy demands, Finnish company Norsepower is bringing its novel rotor sails onboard a variety of marine vessels to help propel them through ocean waters. The company recently scored a number of contracts to place its auxiliary wind propulsion systems with leading fleet operators as demand mounts for greener shipping in the world’s seas. Separately, a Korean research group is investigating the use of magnetically levitated bearings to adapt rotor sails for use in coastal waters where wind is more variable.  […]

e-Power

Deep-Space Mission to Distant Asteroid Involves Cutting-Edge Magnetic Technologies 

NASA’s deep-space mission to the Psyche asteroid involves a variety of cutting-edge magnetic technologies for precision measurement as well as electrified propulsion. The Psyche spacecraft includes many unavoidable magnetic field sources, which must be accounted for to measure the magnetic field signature of the metal-rich asteroid. It won’t be long now … hold on until 2029 when it reaches orbit at the distant target.  […]

e-Power

Danfoss Drives Forms New Marine Electrification Division 

Danfoss Drives has established a new marine business unit in North America focused on electrification for maritime applications bringing together a team of its product experts in the field while providing testing and development capabilities at Danfoss Drives’ application development center (ADC) in Loves Park, Illinois. Danfoss announced the new unit at the 2023 International Workboat Show in New Orleans held November 29 to December 1. […]

e-Power

Military Drone Deploys Hefty Payload at NATO Exercise 

BAE Systems and Malloy Aeronautics recently demonstrated the capabilities of their electric-power heavy-lift drone during a large NATO exercise in Portugal to integrate the latest maritime technologies across allied forces. Powered by multiple permanent-magnet electric-motor propulsion systems, the T-600 uncrewed air system (UAS) is a demonstrator aircraft that is capable of vertical take-off and landing, can carry a payload of 200kg and can travel at up to 140km/h.  […]

Electromagnetics

SmallSat Thrusters Highlight e-Propulsion Technology at SpaceTech Expo-Europe 

Always a showcase for cutting-edge technology in aerospace progress, SpaceTech Expo-Europe will have an assortment of e-propulsion solutions on display when it opens in Bremen, Germany on November 14. Advancements in propulsion using Hall-effect thrusters for microsatellites, along with space-grade instrumentation, cryogenic, superconductivity and vacuum technology will be among the solutions exhibited. ExoTerra, Enpulsion and Thermocoax are among the companies involved in Hall-effect thrusters. Other exhibitors highlighted in this report are Bartington Instruments, Stirling Cryogenics and Pfeiffer Vacuum. Webcom Communications, the publisher of New Power Technology, is a long-time media partner of the event. […]

Materials/Manufacturing

Punch and TATA Form JV to Build EV Powertrain Production in India 

Belgian drivetrain specialist Punch Powertrain, bent on rapidly transforming its production from conventional power systems to fully integrated EV powertrains, and TATA AutoComp Systems Limited plan to form a 50-50 joint venture that will bring the Punch e-powertrain portfolio into TATA’s manufacturing and distribution operations in India. The venture will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, marketing and sales of Punch’s DT1 compact dual clutch transmission design in India and to global markets and will also carry out a wide range of activities to supply Punch’s conventional-hybrid DCTs, continuously variable transmission and EV reducers to customers in India. […]

e-Power

ABB Propulsion System to Power Innovative New Vessels 

Created nearly 30 years ago but continually refined with new models and iterations, ABB’s Azipod propulsion systems have recently been ordered to power two entirely different types of innovative vessels. One is a technically advanced jack-up vessel for installing offshore wind farms, the other for Ritz-Carlton’s new line of luxury mega-yachts.  […]