e-Power Technology

Nippon Drops Electrical Steel Lawsuit Against Toyota, as Automaker Embraces e-Mobility 

Embracing a vision of finding your future in e-mobility, Toyota’s future will no longer be in court battling Nippon Steel in three patent infringement cases over the giant automaker’s use of electrical steel for its motors. After two years of litigation, the cases were closed about the same time that Toyota proclaimed its “Find Your Future” theme at Japan Mobility Show 2023, formerly the Tokyo Motor Show, envisioning the adoption of multiple forms of electric vehicles. […]

Electromagnetics

Minebea Mitsumi & Ablic Expand Device Portfolio with Purchases of Hitachi Power Semi and Samurai Semi 

Tokyo-based Minebea Mitsumi and its Yokahama-based subsidiary Ablic are expanding their businesses in power electronics, sensing and precision motion with recent acquisition moves that add more semiconductor capability. Minebea is planning to purchase Hitachi’s power […]

Electromagnetics

Overseas Inductor & Power Electronics Suppliers Head to APEC 

As APEC 2024 comes together for February in Long Beach, California, overseas-based specialty manufacturers of inductors and other magnetic components for power electronics are heading to America. This article highlights the products and capabilities of several: Shenzen Codaca Electronic of China, which recently linked up with Digi-Key as a distribution partner, MaxEcho Technology of Taiwan, Core Electronic of Turkey, and Prax Power from Barcelona. As usual, Magnetics Magazine serves as a media partner for the event. […]

Electromagnetics

Apple and Partners Build MagSafe Accessories into Global Phenomenon 

You can get a high-fashion MagSafe ring holder in your choice of exotic leathers from accessory maker Labodet in Paris, or a MagSafe-compatible case or car mount from Sandmarc action gear in San Diego, or a warrior-looking MagSafe protective case from OtterBox in Colorado, or trendy cases from Torras in China. You can select from an extensive line of MagSafe devices from global electronics manufacturer Belkin. And, of course, Apple stores are loaded with the company’s own lineup of MagSafe products for iPhones, watches and AirPods as the phenomenon grows to become a global ecosystem of innovative new products in the consumer electronics market.  […]

Electromagnetics

Magnetic Containment of Fusion Energy Seen as Key to ‘Breakthrough of the Century’ 

Focused on magnetic technology for the confinement of fusion energy, German venture-backed startups Gauss Fusion and Proxima Fusion are moving resolutely to become front-runners in the global race to pioneer commercial fusion power – seen by many as what could be one of the greatest breakthroughs of this century. New leadership, new partners and new funding are coming together at Gauss, but it is not a lone runner as Proxima builds on its close affiliation with the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. […]

Electromagnetics

HTS Tape Manufacturers Scale Up for Magnetic Tokamak Growth for Fusion Energy 

The prospect of carbon-free energy from fusion has accelerated the development of tokamaks in recent years, driving the demand for high-temperature superconductor (HTS) tape, the technology at the heart of the extremely strong electromagnets used to confine plasma in magnetic-confinement fusion reactors. Now, manufacturers of HTS tape, notably Faraday Factory and Fujikara, both located in Japan, are ramping up their production capabilities and deliveries as the global demand for HTS tape is expected to grow tenfold in the next five years. Lasers from Coherent Corp. are playing a key role.  […]