In connected car news are Honda, Rohm and Geotab.
Honda Researchers Develop Atomically Thin Nanoribbons
Scientists at Honda Research Institute USA, Inc. (HRI-US), in collaboration with leading academic institutions, have achieved a breakthrough in quantum materials by developing ultra-thin nanoribbons—materials that are one atom thick and tens of atoms wide. These nanoribbons enable unbreakable, secure communication using quantum key distribution (QKD), a method leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to protect sensitive information.
Published in Nature Communications, the research introduces a precise method to control the width and thickness of nanoribbons made from transition metal dichalcogenides, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten diselenide (WSe2). This technology allows the emission of single photons, essential for QKD, with purity levels exceeding 95%, making it highly promising for quantum communication and optoelectronic applications.
Key Highlights:
- Quantum Communication: The nanoribbons act as single-photon emitters, enabling secure encryption and detection of any eavesdropping attempts through quantum states. This method protects information by using photons to distribute encryption keys between transmitters and receivers.
- Precise Nanoribbon Growth: HRI’s novel synthesis process uses transition metal-alloyed nanoparticles as catalysts, enabling control over nanoribbon widths as small as 7 nanometers during growth. This results in remarkable quantum emission properties.
- Strain-Induced Electronic Properties: A unique transfer process developed at HRI creates strain-engineered electronic structures, enabling the emission of single photons under laser excitation.
- Collaborative Research: The study involved contributions from researchers at Montana State University, Columbia University, MIT, Penn State, and North Carolina State University. Validation experiments confirmed the material’s potential for quantum communication.
Dr. Avetik Harutyunyan, Senior Chief Scientist at HRI, and Dr. Xufan Li, Principal Scientist, emphasized the transformative potential of these nanoribbons for advancing quantum optoelectronics. Future applications include secure communications, advanced photonic devices, and high-performance quantum technologies.
Rohm Expands 650V GaN HEMT Lineup With TOLL Package
Rohm has introduced the GNP2070TD-Z, a 650V GaN HEMT in the TOLL package, offering compact design, superior heat dissipation, high current capacity, and enhanced switching performance. The TOLL package is gaining popularity in industrial and automotive applications requiring high power handling. Manufacturing has been outsourced to ATX Semiconductor, a leading OSAT provider.
With the push for greater energy efficiency in power supplies and motors, new materials like GaN and SiC are key to achieving a decarbonized society. Rohm has built on its first-generation 650V GaN HEMTs, released in April 2023, by incorporating second-generation elements into the TOLL package. This complements its existing DFN8080 package, meeting demand for more compact and efficient high-power solutions.
The new GaN-on-Si chips in the TOLL package achieve industry-leading ON-resistance and output charge performance, enabling further miniaturization and efficiency improvements in high-voltage, high-speed switching systems. Mass production is supported by partnerships with TSMC for front-end processing and ATX for back-end manufacturing.
With GaN adoption in the automotive sector expected to accelerate by 2026, Rohm is strengthening partnerships and advancing development efforts to ensure a rapid introduction of automotive-grade GaN devices.
Geotab Launches GO Focus™:
Geotab Inc. has introduced GO Focus™, an AI-powered safety sensor designed to enhance fleet safety while complying with privacy regulations. Integrated with Geotab’s GO Device, it captures critical moments like unsafe following distances—without using inward-facing cameras, microphones, or removable storage—ensuring driver privacy.
GO Focus is ideal for fleets restricted by privacy policies or labor agreements. It automatically records and uploads video during collisions and allows drivers to manually trigger recordings for incident documentation. This solution enables fleet managers to identify risks and coach drivers effectively, reducing preventable crashes.
As Geotab’s first AI-powered hardware device, GO Focus connects seamlessly with the GO9™ through IOX™, expanding the company’s safety ecosystem with a focus on privacy and compliance.