The solar electric propulsion is one of the crucial technologies to assure the success of the missions directed to the Moon, to Mars and the deep space. So, Nasa and Aerojet Rocketdyne have started the tests on the Advanced Electric Propulsion System (Aeps), the solar electric propulsion (Sep) that will be used on board of the moon Gateway. Sep is based on the combination of solar cells and electric thrusters that ensure the thrust of a spacecraft through the space. This technology has already been tested by various probes by Esa, Nasa and Jaxa.
In the specific case, the Advanced Electric Propulsion System supplies 12 kilowatts of energy and it is over twice more powerful than the current systems of electric propulsion in the space and allows an extremely high fuel saving at low thrust, unlike the traditional chemical propulsion ones.
The Gateway, the space station in cislunar orbit, which will be used as base by the future astronauts of Artemis mission, will be equipped with three Aeps thrusters that will be integrated in the Power and Propulsion Element. Tests have put the motors through their paces, subjecting them to various thermal shocks and extreme vibrations. Other tests will be carried out next year, for about 23 hours of operation overall inside the vacuum chamber of the Glenn Research Center of Nasa.
The tests for the solar electric propulsion in the space are starting
Great satisfaction for Formula SAE Italy
The events of Formula SAE Italy, which involve the teams of all participating classes, have recently ended. The automotive world has drastically changed in the last 5 years, as we could notice it also in some of the Business plan proposals submitted. One of the competing teams, for instance, has focused the project on the recovery of motors, motor components and car components to be reused to decrease wastes and costs.
In the 1C class, finalist teams are UniBo Motorsport of Bologna University, Race Up
Combustion of University of Padua and Bimasakti Racing Team of the University of Gadjah Mada, an Indonesian team who has taken part in the event for the first time.
Concerning the Driverless Class, finalists are the Driverless PoliTO Race Team of Turin Polytechnics, MoRe Modena Racing Driverless of University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and UniNa Races â Race Teams of the University of Naples Federico II.
In the 1E class (electric cars), the Dynamis PRC team of Milan Polytechnics is finalist together with E-team Race Team of University of Pisa and the ISC FS Racing Team of ICAI- Comillas Pontifical University. The Dynamis PRC team of Milan Polytechnics (Class 1 E) confirms to be a high-level team, among Italians. It stood out for the integration of the autonomous drive system in the car.
A new technological pole for the naval electric mobility
The collaboration between Reinova, company specialized in the development, test and validation of components for the electric powertrain, and E2C (Energy To Come), company in the sector of power electronics and energy conversion, has currently consolidated and resulted in the creation of a technological pole for the electric mobility and recharge infrastructures in the naval sector. The target consists in activities of research and development, manufacturing and services in the enlarged chain of the e-mobility in the naval sector. In particular, they intend to develop an infrastructural recharge system for electric boats that is expected to be safe, green and economically sustainable. To implement that, it will be necessary to integrate systems of prevention, monitoring and control that are intelligent. âWe strongly believe in the electrification for boats and in the development of infrastructures. Our business plan identified a centrality of this market, starting from the development of solutions for the transport of people and freights with courses defined to optimize flows and recharge systemsâ, commented the CEO of Reinova Giuseppe Corcione.
âThe collaboration concerns a chain of competences that involve the part of naval engineering, storage and propulsion, mutually correlated by expert systems that check their use stateâ, explained Luca Balbo, CEO of E2C. It was a Made in Italy project framed in the development of the Italian naval market and, at the same time, it makes use of its efficient provisioning chain and of its shipyard tradition.
Nidec has set up a new factory in Serbia
As response to the tightening of environmental regulations in Europe and to the more severe directives about CO2 emissions for cars in the main Countries, the demand for vehiclesâ motors and inverters and for control units is steeply rising. This has communicated Nidec on the occasion of the inauguration of the new factory at Novi Sad, in Serbia, built to assure an efficient supply system in Europe.
The project complies with the “Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative” the Japanese Government is accomplishing in Serbia and in other regions.
Nidec Electric Motor Serbia plans to mass-produce automotive motors, and Nidec Elesys Europe plans to mass-produce automotive inverters and ECUs.
In order to this aim, the company will strengthen recruitment activities, mainly for technical personnel, and contribute to the revitalization of the regional economy the Novi Sad surrounding area in Serbia.
With the future view of mass production of the “E-Axle” traction motor system for electric vehicles in Europe, it is also promoting activities to attract suppliers and we will build an industrial cluster of automotive motors for the European market.
Clepaâs vision about the EU taxonomy regulation
Clepa, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, commented The EU taxonomy regulation â the classification on EU scale for sustainable activities â declaring that this regulation aims at directing investments towards sustainable commercial activities. This means that, over the incoming years, the sustainability level of each business activity will influence its access to funding.
The European Commission has presented new proposals for delegated acts that amend and complement the classification scheme for sustainable business activities. «CLEPA welcomes this initiative and sees the delegated acts as a step forward in the acknowledgment of automotive suppliersâ contribution to a sustainable economy and their role in the advancement of green mobility in the EU. Originally, the taxonomy regulation did not recognise the economic activities related to the production of e-mobility components as âsustainableâ, while the assembly of electric vehicles was considered as such. The proposed amendment to the Climate Delegated Act incorporates the production of powertrain components including e-motors, power electronics, thermal management and braking systems in its definition of sustainable economic activities. The circularity chapter of the Delegated Act on non-climate environmental objectives gives much-needed recognition to the sustainability contribution of some aftermarket-related activities, but so far excludes the design for circularity and remains ambiguous on remanufacturing actions by automotive suppliers. As a result, critical activities by automotive suppliers remain at risk of being overlooked by capital markets and could suffer from underinvestment. The use of low carbon/recovered materials, lightweighting, and product robustness should be considered in future revisions of the taxonomy».
Hence, the reflection that many automotive supply companies continue to face competition with OEMs, who can claim eligibility for the revenue generated by a sold vehicle whose value is generated by all components, while the manufacturing activities of a large share of these components remains non-eligible.
Aeolian Islands, suggestive stage of electric mobility thanks to Koelliker Group
Koelliker Group is partner of Aeolian Islands Music Fest also for the 2023 edition. With a range made up by strictly green vehicles, Koelliker brings the most important product models and novelties in 2023 to the Islands, such as for instance made in Italy Microlino, the first electric Koelliker-branded scooter and Maxus Mifa 9, the luxury shuttle service with 100% electric design.
Considering the success of last year, Aeolian streets will be coloured also by Wuzheng 3MX, the fully electric three-wheeler that suits any type of arrangement, from agriculture to delivery services and up to the street food.
Maxus eDeliver3, sturdy and reliable strictly full electric commercial vehicle confirms to be the official means of the staff of Aeolian Islands Music Fest. In Marina Corta square, in Lipari, the public of the event and all artists will have the opportunity of admiring from close up other models exclusively distributed by Koelliker: the SUV coupé Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, Korando by KG Mobility (former SsangYong) and the aCar by Evum Motor, the first commercial electric 4X4 Pick-up.
After Microlino, Koelliker widens the offer of fully made in Italy solutions of urban mobility with the new 100% electric scooter Koelliker powered by Askoll.
Education and industry, MECSPE Bari 2023 to bridge the gap
Italian industry, with more than 453,000 active enterprises, remains solid and a fundamental pillar of our countryâs economy. According to the analysis conducted by MECSPE, the leading international trade fair for the manufacturing industry organized by Senaf (Bari, November 23-25, 2023), more than 400,000 workers are expected to be employed in the industry from May to July, but the objective difficulty remains in finding qualified personnel, particularly skilled workers, as found by 63 percent of companies. And this is precisely the challenge that the industry will face in the coming years to respond to an industry that is changing its skin, becoming more technological, innovative, sustainable, and attractive to young people. Indeed, the younger generation is attractive to businesses, especially if they have the right training.
With this goal in mind, ITS â Istituti Tecnici Superiori, were born, which together with universities represent an important bridge between the world of industry and the world of work, providing students with solid technical and professional training in strategic sectors such as mechanics and Industry 4.0. Entrepreneurs have already realized the importance of this channel for finding partly qualified and predisposed young talents, so much so that 32 percent already work with them and 35 percent are interested in doing so in the near future. To date, there are 130 ITSs in Italy, including 14 in the Mechanics System, and according to INDIREâs latest data, 91 percent of graduates have found a job consistent with their course of study one year after graduation, effectively constituting a solution to the difficulty companies have in finding specialized figures.
All this thanks to the direct cooperation of companies. And it is precisely to facilitate the meeting between entrepreneurs and these realities that MECSPE has renewed its collaboration with a Bari-based excellence, the ITS A. Cuccovillo Foundation (Institute of the Mechanics-Mechatronics System), to organize the âPiazza della Formazione 4.0âł. A space where the Institute and partner companies will tell, with studentsâ active input and practical demonstrations, about their experiences and opportunities for the area, confirming the importance of the link between business and education.
âThe ITS of the Mechanics System today represents a valid channel both to train young people on issues related to Industry 4.0 and to help companies find personnel with professional characteristics that are difficult to find on the marketâ, comments Roberto Vingiani, Technical Director of the ITS A. Cuccovillo Foundation in Bari. âBut in order to develop educational programs in line with the needs of the labor world a close and constant relationship with companies becomes essential. To date, our ITS averages 92 percent employment 12 months after graduation. In this context, MECSPE, thanks also to Training Plaza 4.0, is the ideal place to enhance the virtuous system of ITSs by recounting successful experiences with the involvement of partner companies and students. Once again this year, in fact, the initiative will actively involve young people to encourage them to improve their soft skills as wellâ.
âAll along MECSPE aims to foster a constructive dialogue between companies and the labor world, especially now that the drive for innovation requires new skills â said Maruska Sabato, MECSPE Project Manager -. Companies and their production processes are markedly more evolved and there is a greater need for competent and up-to-date professionals capable of facing the challenges of Industry 4.0. Despite the positive trend in the sector, today there is a glaring gap on the resource availability front, also caused by schooling that is not always adequate. ITS can thus help bridge the gap between education and industry by providing young people with the skills they need to pursue a career path in manufacturing. With MECSPE, we will continue to promote the value of training in all its aspects because it represents, along with innovation, the engine for accelerating the development of the industryâ.
Training will therefore be one of the main macro-themes of the Bari edition of MECSPE, along with innovation and sustainability, which represent the three cornerstones for the entire manufacturing industry. There is no growth without innovation, just as you cannot look to the future if you do not have the skills and a long-term vision that takes into account environmental impact. A mix of factors that MECSPE has always put at the center of the event, thanks to the involvement of companies, industry associations, and training institutions. All in a space of as much as 20,000 square meters designed to foster networking and training activities and transform Bari as a Southern and Central Italy manufacturing engine.
MIMO Milano Monza Motor Show 2023, large room for electric motors
The 3rd edition of MIMO Milano Monza Motor Show was held by the National Racetrack in Monza from 16th to 18th June 2023 and has witnessed as protagonists various models by over 40 automotive companies. On the occasion, the iconic F1 circuit in Monza was transformed into an amusement park for all car enthusiasts.
Moreover, during the three days of MIMO Milano Monza Motor Show great attention was paid to the Focus Electric and Hybrid Plug-In Cars, with a particular insight of the “plugged” models. Lotus for instance was present with the whole range at Formula 1 boxes and was brought Eletre, the first electric Hyper-SUV 100% and Evija, the most powerful electric supercar in the world, in limited Fittipaldi edition.
Sold out the first electric flights in 2028
The Scandinavian airline, Sas – Scandinavian airlines has opened the sale of the first three inaugural electric flights that will take place in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, to secure the place among the 30 the aircraft can accommodate. Currently, we do not know the take-off place, date and time, but we know the year: 2028, and the fact the route will be a short-haul domestic flight.
The 90 available seats have been sold out in the lapse of few hours, a ticket in the front row to witness a real revolution.
The ticket price for the inaugural flight will be SEK/NOK/DKK 1946 â a tribute to the year when SAS first started flying.
“Since its inception in 1946, SAS has been one of the pioneers in the airline industry, being for instance the first commercial airline operator to fly over the North Pole to significantly shorten flight time between continents. A ground-breaking activity for which SAS received the Columbus Prize. The fact that we can now invite our passengers to the next major milestone in the future of aviation is a natural continuation of that pioneering spirit and a significant step on our journey towards more sustainable aviation,” says Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS.
Electric buses, in Germany transports will become electric?
The goal of the four-year agreement between Flix, German transport company established in 2013 that operates in Europe, United States and Brazil with FlixBus and FlixTrain, and the bus division of the automotive giant Daimler, aims at electrifying the famous fleet of buses.
The project is funded by the Federal German Ministry for Economy and Climate and two full electric prototypes will be tested.
In a first phase, a modular motor will be implemented according to fundamental parameters such as the energy consumption, the autonomy level, drive performance and the battery duration, to be afterwards analysed in the light of the environmental impact, of the cost-benefit ratio and of its concrete marketing on the market.
In addition to Flix and Daimler Buses, the project involves, as research partners, Karlsruher Institut fĂŒr Technologie (Kit), the University of Mannheim and Kaiserslautern Polytechnics. The primary challenge for Flix and Daimler Buses is ascertaining that electric vehicles can withstand long distances, according to travelling times and standards demanded.
According to the companyâs data, those who travel for 400 kilometres with a long mileage bus, instead of by car, reduce their own emissions of CO2 by around 6.6 kilos.