Airbus, a world leader in the aerospace industry, is collaborating with STMicroelectronics (ST) on power electronics Research and Development to support power electronics for future hybrid and fully electric aircraft, including urban air vehicles. This cooperation will mostly focus on exploiting the benefits of wide bandgap semiconductors, such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN), to develop smaller, lighter and more efficient electronic devices, packages, and modules for Airbus’ aerospace applications. The companies will assess these components by conducting advanced research and tests on demonstrators, such as e-motor control units, high and low-voltage power converters, and wireless power transfer systems.
An interesting point that is only lightly mentioned in the article is the news that the tests on demonstrators will include wireless power transfer systems. The wireless power market is currently dominated by mobile device charging, and many other possible applications exist only in niche applications and in small numbers, despite the opportunities in which wireless power transfer may be beneficial. Developments in this field that are made by the collaboration between Airbus and ST will not only open new applications for wireless power technologies in aviation, but these developments may also be applicable in other sectors. SAR covers the wireless power market in its Wireless Power and Charging Technologies service.
The original article is here.
