“Enable high voltage for your future electric transports”

The Dielectrics, Conductors & Plasmas Competence Center responds to the challenge of reducing the environmental footprint of transport by electrification solutions via hybrid electric or all-electric propulsion. It also addresses to the need to introduce new functions into vehicles via the multiplication of electrical components that drive several engines at all levels of these new services sought by industry. The finality is completely autonomous vehicles. These challenges lead to a very significant increase in electrical power, and therefore in the voltage of electrical networks of on-board applications (aeronautics, space, rail, and automotive). While the terrestrial delivery of electricity already copes with much higher voltages, the mass and volume required for on-board applications radically change the problem: electrical constraints such as electric fields are significantly increased due to the low distance.

 

These electrical constraints combined with the harsh environments of aeronautics and space (temperature, pressure, etc.) aggravate phenomena detrimental to the integrity of electrical systems such as partial discharges or electric arcs.

The competence center therefore researches, characterizes and models these physical phenomena (partial discharges, space charges, electric arcs, and electrical ageing of insulators). In addition, it examines the application of suitable innovative dielectric materials (insulators, polymers, etc.).

In a quest to increase power, the center’s second area of enquiry is that of electrical currents. To minimize the mass of on-board electrical components, the center researches innovative electrical conductors.

R&T Fields

Appraisal of the impact of voltage on components

Appraising the impact of voltage concerns all the competence center’s activities that collect accurate and robust quantified data through experiments or digital simulation. A very good understanding of the physical phenomena involved is necessary to guarantee the quality of the results.

Controlling the impact of voltage

By exploiting the results of the appraisal, the competence center makes recommendations about design, size, installation and integration that can be used directly by industrial members. In addition, it evaluates the applicability of new dielectric materials (e. g. Functionally Grading Materials developed in academic laboratories) in order to push back the physical limits of the withstand voltage or to resist erosion phenomena due to partial discharges (slowing down ageing). Finally, the competence center is a driving force in the evolution of future standards, particularly on tests and qualification procedures specific to high voltage.

Reduction of the impact of electrification on the mass

The competence center appraises the relevance of new conductors such as carbon nanotubes or superconductors to reduce the mass of high-current applications.

LAURENT ALBERT

Head of Dielectrics, Conductors & Plasmas Competence Center
Toulouse Site
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OUR OFFER

 

  • Test procedures.
  • Scientific analyses of physical phenomena.
  • Digital simulation tools.
  • Technological test platforms.
  • Databases of test and simulation results.
  • Guides for design, sizing, installation and integration.
  • Proposals for the development of future standards, for example on tests and qualification procedures that are specific to high voltage.
  • PhD Theses reports, scientific publications, conferences.

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