Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1350598
14 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021 technology change is so fast. We have a game- changer in e-mobility, and we have a game- changer in the servers, the automated driving car. My expectation is that in the near future the current materials will have problems. For power electronics, it's a bit more difficult than for the servers because high-temperature ma- terials for up to 1000V are not used frequent- ly in the automotive environment. is is spe- cial of the automotive market. Already existing materials could meet the requirement. ere was some development recently, but the quali- fication is still ongoing. Johnson: Do you see the biggest challenges in material selection on the electronics sensor in- fotainment side, or is it more challenging on the battery management drivetrain side of the vehicles? Klein: My personal feeling is that on the com- puter side, there are a lot of others in the in- dustry. ere are materials available now that we can select which fit the automotive re- quirements regarding THB requirements, CAF and temperature cycling, and tempera- ture storage. I think the more severe bound- ary conditions are with the power devices as described before. And what is new in the au- tomotive business is to minimize the box vol- ume for power electronics. One large fabrica- tor said, "e one who can deliver this robust high voltage material will win the game." e reason is not only the smaller box volume but as well the lower inductive losses. You can use the energy from the battery in a better way, with less switching losses. Johnson: How much of a role does Bosch play coordinating with materials manufacturers to develop the right kind of materials? Klein: We cooperate not only with our PCB manufacturer but as well with the base materi- al suppliers, doing joint qualifications and giv- ing significant input for the development of new materials, which is their know-how and specialty. Johnson: Christian, do you have much expo- sure to the infrastructure side? We've talked about what's on the vehicle, and I know that is a primary focus for Bosch but getting the elec- tricity to the vehicles is a critical part of the ecosystem. Is that something that you have any insight into? Klein: I personally have no direct insight in this. e electrical infrastructure itself is a business with slightly other technology than in the au- tomotive industry. Of course, I had some inter- change of opinion with this industry like train suppliers. However, they use a completely dif- ferent manufacturing philosophy. e assem- bly oen is not fully automated, and the box volumes are much bigger. Johnson: I'm seeing in the news that major au- tomotive companies, manufacturers here in the U.S. as well as across the globe, are starting to make commitments like, "All-electric vehicles by 2035." In your opinion, is this achievable? Klein: At Bosch, we strongly believe in the po- tential of electro mobility. We've invested 5 bil- lion euros in electrical powertrains and will in- vest 700 million euros this year. Currently, our powertrain electrification business is growing twice as fast as the market. At the same time, we are fast-tracking electrification, and further refining conventional powertrains. e goal is to ensure that the mobility of the future capa- bly limits environmental impact while remain- ing affordable for the general public. There was some development recently, but the qualification is still ongoing.