Chip maker bet big on SiC power ... 60GHz heart and breathing sensor ... 6G cybersecurity research

News at eeNews Europe ny Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Chip makers bet big on SiC Feature articles | February 5, 2023 Chip makers in Europe are making big bets on the growth in silicon carbide (SiC) power devices.

TSMC opens up 7nm FINFET process to universities Technology News | February 5, 2023 TSMC has launched a University FinFET Programme to develop future chip design talent for the industry and driving research chips… Macom acquires assets of French RF wafer fab for European expansion Business news | February 3, 2023 Macom Technology Solutions in the US is to acquire the wafer fab assets and operations of Ommic in Paris for… Kyocera takes on laser doppler sensing with 60GHz millimetre wave Technology News | February 3, 2023 Kyocera in Japan has developed a high precision, low noise contactless sensor using 60GHz millimetre-wave sensing that it says can… Ipoque teams for 6G cybersecurity research Technology News | February 4, 2023 Ipoque, a Rohde & Schwarz company, is working with Chemnitz University of Technology on a 6G research project on cybersecurity and digital…

Navitas details GeneSiC tech as it signs up German inverter designer Technology News | January 30, 2023 Navitas Semiconductor has signed up the Katek Group in Germany to use its GeneSIC… Our Next Energy raises $300m as a LFP battery unicorn Business news | February 2, 2023 US battery startup Our Next Energy (ONE) has closed a $300m funding round that values the… Diodes launches its first SiC Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBD) New Products | January 30, 2023 Diodes has launched its first Silicon Carbide (SiC) Schottky barrier diodes (SBD) with 650V… Honda backs Israeli fusion startup in $22m round   Business news | February 1, 2023 NT-Tao in Israel has raised $22m for its fusion power technology. The Series A… Hydrogen power and cooling creates off-grid data centre Technology News | January 31, 2023 Data centre developer ECL has launched the world’s first modular, sustainable, off-grid system that…

Record year for Arrow as China weakens Business news | February 2, 2023 Distributor Arrow Electronics has seen a record year but warns of softening demand in… UMC, Cadence team for chiplet reference flow Business news | February 3, 2023 Taiwanese foundry United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) is using a reference flow from Cadence Design…

PMbus vulnerabilities ... Solid state battery developments ... UK's ARIA research agency

News from eeNews Europe this week By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Vulnerabilities in PMbus can brick server boards Technology News | January 29, 2023 Researchers in the UK have identified vulnerabilities in the power management bus (PMbus) for processors that can disable server boards.

ABB backs Swedish startup for AI analytics Business news | January 29, 2023 ABB’s Distribution Solutions division is adopting technology from Swedish startup Viking Analytics for AI analytics and investing in the company. Aragio Solutions joins Intel Foundry IP Alliance Business news | January 27, 2023 Intel Foundry Services (IFS) has signed up Aragio Solutions for its IP Alliance programme. The collaboration with IFS enables designers to access… UK establishes its ARIA research agency Business news | January 27, 2023 The UK has formally established its ARIA science research agency with five new board members, heavily weighted towards the life…

£27m for next generation solid state silicon battery materials and recycling Feature articles | January 28, 2023 The UK’s Faraday Battery Challenge has announced 12 projects worth over £27m (€35m) on… Siemens teams for vertiport charging infrastructure Business news | January 27, 2023 Siemens has teamed up with Skyway in California to develop designs for vertiports for… Ultrathin layer boosts perovskite solar panel performance Technology News | January 27, 2023 An ultrathin protective coating proves sufficient to protect a perovskite solar cell from… Ilika, Nexeon team for UK silicon solid state batteries with BMW Technology News | January 27, 2023 Ilika Technologies is teaming up with Nexeon and BMW to develop silicon-based solid state… ELEO opens Dutch battery factory Business news | January 26, 2023 ELEO in the Netherlands has opened a new battery plant in Helmond. His Majesty… Compact unregulated 1W DC-DC converter for industrial applications New Products | January 27, 2023 Traco Power has launched a compact 8pin unregulated, isolated 1W DC-DC converter for… onsemi signs VW in strategic SiC deal Business news | January 25, 2023 onsemi has signed up the world’s largest car maker for its silicon carbide power devices. Australian firm bids for Britishvolt assets Business news | January 25, 2023 Australian battery startup Recharge Industries is reported to be bidding for the assets of… 1.5kW AC-DC module for high voltage distributed power New Products | January 25, 2023 TDK has launched a 1.5kW AC-DC module with power factor correction (PFC) for distributed… Statevolt acquires site for US battery gigafactory Business news | January 24, 2023 Statevolt, the sister company to Italvolt in Italy, has acquired a site for a… UK deals drive renewable power spin off Business news | January 24, 2023 Fusion power developer TAE has launched a renewable power management subsidiary from the acquisition…

Chip shortage hits UK car production Market news | January 26, 2023 Chip shortages described as ‘crippling’ saw UK car production decline by -9.8% in 2022… ST sees slower growth for 2023, maintains capital expenditure Business news | January 26, 2023 Despite a year of 26% growth and capacity sold out for 2023, STMicroelectronics is… IAR Systems fully supports PX5 RTOS Business news | January 26, 2023 IAR Systems is providing  full support for the new PX5 real-time operating system (RTOS)…

The collapse of Britishvolt

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

The final collapse of Britishvolt, the ill-fated battery gigafactory startup, is a lesson in the risks of relying on political support for major projects.

The startup had no technology and no customers, and so looked to government support and financial ‘engineering’ to leverage its way to produce battery cells for the emerging market of electric vehicle manufacturing.

Executives at the startup have blamed the press for the collapse, but it is exactly the lack of engagement with industry and the trade press, and a focus on influencing UK politicians in Westminster, that highlighted the precarious strategy.

The original project was set up in Wales with the support of the Welsh government, which has a history of understanding the importance of an industrial strategy. However it shifted its site to Blyth in Northumberland, a political move to attract funding.

• UK battery gigafactory planned in Wales
• Britishvolt moves battery gigafactory plan to Northumberland
• BritishVolt in sale and leaseback deal to fund battery gigafactory

 A deal that looked very much like a sale and lease back to capitalise on a factory that didn’t exist didn’t provide the funds, and the drive to create jobs and training also didn’t materialise. But by the time the venture collapsed, it was employing 232 people, a wage bill of well over £10m a year. All of that without a revenue stream in sight. For any experienced investor that rings alarm bells.

Technology

Behind the scenes the company was developing its own lithium ion battery technology. Backed by the Advanced Propulsion Centre and its Automotive Transformation Fund saw the development of the first prototype cells to show to potential customers.

“Britishvolt have been operating in a challenging landscape,” said Julian Hetherington, Automotive Transformation Director. “They have produced very credible ‘A’ Samples in volume and got them out to customers. They did that without grant funding, and have also leveraged the excellent UK university capability, and that vital piece of the UK’s ecosystem, UKBIC (UK Battery Industrialisation Centre). The UK environment can support these successes going forward. The technology developed is exciting, and we expect this to be of interest to the sector,” he said. 

This is similar to the approach taken by NorthVolt, the Swedish startup which has been developing its own technology, integrating recycled materials into its cells.

NorthVolt however was set up by a former executive of electric car maker Tesla and was careful to bring major car makers onboard as investors. Swedish car maker Volvo was a natural partner, but BMW and VW were also wooed to be part of the project. And financing from the European Investment Bank, with support form the European Commission, was key.

• NorthVolt raises $1.6bn for European battery gigafactories

Customers

The potential base of customers was more of a challenge. Several reports have highlighted the need for a number of battery gigafactories in the UK to support the production of electric vehicles, especially with plans to stop sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines as early as 2030. However most of these will be produced by companies that already have a supply chain for their batteries.

BMW, which is moving production of its electric Mini from Oxford to continental Europe, has a number of battery suppliers, and is an investor in NorthVolt.

Vauxhall, as part of the PSA Group with Citroen and Peugeot, will be using Verkor. Stellantis will be using ACC. Toyota in Derby is the other major car maker, and has been building its own gigafactories in Japan and the US.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) was the main UK-based car maker, but it already has discussions with NorthVolt, Svolt and Envision and a relatively small volume of around 10,000 electric vehicles in 2021 and 2022. Just before the collapse of Britishvolt was announced, Tata, the Indian owner of JLR, announced it would make the batteries in Europe.

• Britishvolt gigafactory CEO steps down
• Britishvolt buys German battery maker
• Britishvolt heads for crunch meeting

UK battery production

The collapse has led those same commentators to say that this leaves just one major battery factory in the UK, the plant being built by AESC Envision to support Nissan in Sunderland. This ignores the developments at AMTE Power, which is converting a smaller plant in Dundee. This has established technology for electric vehicles and existing customers in the storage market.

There is also Williams, newly owned by Australian mining giant Fortescue, which is set to open a battery factory in Oxfordshire in the next few weeks.

Other startups such as InoBat could also set up in the UK, but the lack of a coherent strategy and support is likely to kill that.

• Williams joint venture will be UK's largest electric car battery factory
• Williams Advanced Engineering sold in £164m deal
• Inobat looks to third battery Gigafactory in UK, Europe

Europe

Meanwhile the large global battery makers are setting up in Hungary. Samsung led the way, converting a plasma TV factory to batteries back in 2016. Now there is a thriving ecosystem of manufacturing.

• CATL to build second European battery gigafactory in Hungary
• Hungary leads plans for world's largest battery spin out
• Samsung to build 'gigafactory' in Hungary

Lessons

The final valuation of company in the last few weeks was just £32m, the exact value the company paid for its German equipment manufacturing subsidiary. Even that wasn’t enough to attract investors for a rescue deal, again showing that value creation hadn’t really happened.

Lessons have already been learned, Italvolt, set up by a former co-founder of Britishvolt, made sure it secured technology and customers through a deal with StoreDot. The deal could well lead to the supply of cells to StoreDot customer Volvo.

• CEO Interview: Lars Carlstrom of Italvolt on battery gigafactories
• Italvolt secures silicon battery technology, customers

The technology that is needed has also moved on. For the timeframe of the gigafactory, solid state battery cells will be needed.

• BMW to build solid state battery line in Germany
• ProLogium raises $326m for solid state batteries
• Nissan shows solid state battery line

 All of this highlights the lack of a strategy that takes into account the lack of an open market. Technology and customers are the lifeblood of any startup, as my readers know only too well. Financiers and politicians need to pay attention, and a coherent industrial strategy in the UK is long overdue.

Top ten semiconductor vendors of 2022 ... Looking to Apple's M2 Ultra chip ... Italvolt signs StoreDot battery tech

Latest news on eeNews Europe by Nick Flaherty 



Gartner has released its list of the top ten semiconductor vendors in 2022. Samsung Electronics maintained the top spot although…


The semiconductor downturn will bottom out this year says analyst


Looking to Apple’s 167bn transistor M2 Ultra chip

ABB sells US power conversion division for $505m



Navitas Semiconductor has acquired the minority stake in its silicon controller joint venture with Halo Micro…



Three phase power module for electric aircraft



Microchip launches its first COTS rad tolerant power management chip for LEO satellite designs



IPD controller slashes board footprint



ABB backs Danish startup Okti Grid to upgrade old power grids



UK solid state battery developer Ilika has signed a deal with Cirtec Medical for production in the US

Italvolt secures silicon battery technology, customers for gigafactory



Haviv Ilan is to take over as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of TI

Italy launches its first data centre association



GUC delivers first 3nm, 5nm chips using AI design tool

NASA's latest experimental space projects ... 6G terahertz chip ... immortal battery project at GE

Latest news at eeNews Europe by Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

NASA commissions 14 experimental space technology concepts Technology News | January 13, 2023 US space agency has commissioned 14 projects with experimental space technologies from news sensors…

GE to develop ‘immortal’ battery with self-healing metals Technology News | January 15, 2023 Researchers at GE in the US are developing a solid state lithium ion battery cell that they say can have indefinite lifetime …

PneumoWave raises £7.5m for wireless respiratory biosensor Business news | January 15, 2023 Digital health startup PneumoWave in Scotland has raised £7.5 million (€8.5m) for clinical trials of its wireless respiratory biosensor technology… $50,000 prize in Single Board Computer competition Business news | January 14, 2023 Board distributor OKdo has launched an engineering competition around the Rock single board computer (SBC) with a prize of $50,000… ST launches its most affordable 32bit microcontroller News | January 12, 2023 STMicroelectronics has started volume production of its lowest cost 32bit microcontroller, the STM32C0.

Britishvolt in crunch meeting Business news | January 12, 2023 UK battery gigafactory developer Britishvolt is holding a key board meeting tomorrow (Friday 13th… Infineon sells its high reliability DC-DC power business Business news | January 10, 2023 In a shock move, Infineon Technologies in Germany is to sell its US-based hi-rel… 450kW EV charger gives 400km range in 15 minutes Technology News | January 13, 2023 A German project has developed a fast charger design that can provide 400km of… Solid Power to develop nickel- and cobalt-free batteries Technology News | January 12, 2023 Solid Power in the US has been granted funding from the Department of Energy… Low power 8pin microcontroller aims at power designs New Products | January 12, 2023 Renesas Electronics has launched a general-purpose low power 16bit microcontroller (MCU) family in a… $42m boost for US battery research Technology News | January 11, 2023 The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $42 million in funding for 12… Siemens teams for digital twins and AI in vertical farms News | January 12, 2023 Siemens is to provide hardware and software, including a digital twin model and machine… Showa Denko renames and restructures, extends Infineon SiC deal Business news | January 12, 2023 Resonac (formerly Showa Denko) in Japan has extended its deal for silicon carbide (SiC)…

	TDK, TI team on edge AI module with wireless mesh New Products | January 13, 2023 TDK has teamed up with Texas Instruments on a compact, battery-powered wireless multi-sensor module…
	6G terahertz waveform synthesis in a photonic chip Technology News | January 13, 2023 Researchers at EPFL and ETH Zurich in Switzerland have developed a thin-film photonic chip…