POSCO’s ‘e Autopos’ Unboxing Round 2! After looking at the e Autopos solution applied to the body and chassis of an eco-friendly car last time, we will take a closer look at the traction motor this time. The traction motor of an eco-friendly car plays the same role as the internal combustion engine and the heart when it comes to people.   That means e Autopos is an important component that actually makes cars move. So what kind of e Autopos solutions were used for the traction motors? Let’s find out together now!

l e Autopos’ traction motor based solution, ‘Hyper NO’ improves electricity efficiency(efficiency of EV)

Again, let’s have a look at the explanation table on the box before unboxing. Oh~ The e Autopos solution applied to the eco-friendly car traction motor is ‘Hyper NO!’. Let’s open the box and learn step by step what kind of material is Hyper NO, which makes the heart of eco-friendly cars beat, and what technology POSCO has added to it.

Here is a cylinder-shaped traction motor. As mentioned earlier, the traction motor is a component corresponding to the internal combustion engine. If the internal combustion engine uses fossil fuels as an energy source, the power to move the traction motor of an eco-friendly car is ‘electricity’. If we use less electricity and turn motors more, the energy efficiency will increase and will be helpful for the environment. Therefore, POSCO has developed special materials for the Stator Core and Rotor Core of the traction motor.

Hyper NO, the main part we saw on the explanation table on the box. Hyper NO is Non-Oriented electrical steel made by POSCO that helps improve the efficiency of traction motor due to low power loss. Non-Oriented steel is a steel with uniform power loss in all directions, and suitable for rotating device material such as motors where the Rotor Core rotates. Non-Oriented steel has grades, which is defined as Hyper NO when the Core Loss is 3.5W/kg(1.5T/50Hz) or less depending on the amount of Core Loss, and the motor efficiency increases when the traction motor is made with Hyper NO.

Hyper NO of POSCO was developed to minimize the energy loss that occurred inevitably in the process of converting electrical energy to rotational energy and also to increase efficiency, resulting in more than 30% lower energy loss compared to existing electrical steel. The thinner the electrical steel is, the less Core Loss is and POSCO is capable of producing Hyper NO thickness up to 0.15mm, allowing it to reduce Core Loss.

l Self-bonding, the traction motor technology solution of e Autopos

The core of the traction motor is made by overlapping the electrical steel in several layers. As explained earlier, the thinner the electrical steel, the more efficient the motor is, but to rotate the thin steel plate quickly, the plates must be stacked and combined into a single mass that can be rotated. Previously, electric steel was attached with welding, but welding had a problem that degraded the electromagnetic characteristics of electrical steel.

Accordingly, POSCO developed ‘self-bonding’ technology. Self-bonding is the application of an adhesive-like coating to the surface of electrical steel which enables it to bond closely without degrading the electromagnetic characteristics of electrical steel and even reducing not only core loss but also the noise generated by the gap between plates.

POSCO is expanding its sales through strengthening its network by providing electrical steel and use-solutions directly to global automakers and components companies.

Meanwhile, POSCO SPS is increasing the added value by producing traction motor core with electrical steel and POSCO International is also helping to expand its market at home and abroad.

That’s it for today’s unboxing! The traction motor applied with POSCO’s e Autopos is both economical and eco-friendly due to its low power loss and high energy efficiency. If you are looking for an eco-friendly car with great electricity efficiency, just as you are looking for a ‘fuel efficiency’ when choosing an internal combustion locomotive, you need to make sure if e Autopos solution is applied to the traction motor! In the next unboxing, let’s explore the e Autopos solution used in battery pack steel and battery materials!

Ding~Dong! A parcel was left at the doorstep. It was a large box with an electric car drawn at the front, and it came with a card. Two words — POSCO and eAutopus — were written on the box, and the card read “e Autopos Unboxing”. Join us for the unboxing of POSCO’s integrated brand of sustainable automotive product & solution, “e Autopos”.

l Mission: Observing the Box

Before opening the box, let’s take a closer look from the outside. “e Autopos” written on the picture of an Electric Vehicle (EV) is POSCO’s integrated brand of eco-friendly automotive product solutions. The brand refers to POSCO’s steel and secondary battery material products used in EVs and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), and customized solution packages that can be applied to these products. e Autopos is a combination of the words eco-friendly and electrified AUTOmotive solution of POSco.

l Now for the Real Unboxing! eAutopus Car Body

The inside of the box reveals a car body that looks quite solid.

The car body consisting of eAutopos products is light and strong. To protect the environment, cars must be lighter because a heavier car needs more energy and emits more greenhouse gas. EVs are about 200kg heavier than conventional fuel engine vehicles because of the battery pack weight, so reducing weight is an essential task for EVs. However, making a car lighter isn’t as easy as it sounds. Developing a lightweight and strong body is important for the safety of the users because the vehicle body absorbs and distributes shocks in the event of an accident and also prevents battery damage.

Accordingly, POSCO developed PBC-EV (Posco Body Concept for Electric Vehicle), POSCO’s solution for EVs where Giga Steel is applied. Applying more than 45% of Giga Steel, PBC-EV achieved a weight reduction of about 30% compared to conventional fuel engine vehicles of the same size. Giga Steel is more than three times stronger than aluminum, which has recently been applied to automotive bodies and can withstand a weight of more than 100kg per 1mm².

The e Autopos automotive body solution includes many of POSCO’s advanced steel grades because the passenger and battery spaces should be designed to prevent deformation in case of an accident or a collision. Also, the traction motor space in the front, the trunk space in the rear, and the side space should be designed to absorb the collision force.

980XF is applied for the Front Side Member that absorbs shock at the front of the vehicle due to its excellent tensile strength^* and elongation^**. For the Side Sill Inner Reinf, which absorbs shock at the relatively narrower side area, 1180 TRIP product is applied because of its outstanding strength and elongation.

In the event of a collision, the shock is first absorbed in the front, rear, and sides. The remaining energy is then transferred to the passenger and the battery space inside the vehicle. Therefore, it is important to apply a steel product that prevents this. The strength of the steel applied here should be higher than that of the ones used in the areas that receive the shock directly.

The remaining energy after the initial absorption in the Front Side Member is transferred to the Extension Member Front Side Outer Rear, and here comes another important task: this part must sustain the impact without any deformation. Accordingly, since the shape is relatively complicated, a 1.5 GPa-class 1500HPF product was applied to secure formability and collision resistance at the same time. 1500HPF is formed by heating steel plates at a high temperature of 900°C and then cooled down and shaped in a mold.

The Dash Cross Member Outer and Seat Cross Member, which serves to protect passengers by suppressing automotive deformation in the event of a collision, employs 1500MART. 1500MART is a high tensile strength product of 1500MPa and maximizes the prevention of automotive body deformation.

l Eco-friendly Car Chassis Made Complete with eAutopus

▲ The Chassis of an EV

Now let’s take a closer look at the “chassis” which is in charge of driving functions! Connected to the bottom of the car body, the role of the chassis is to enable driving and absorb shock. The chassis is composed of Suspension and Hub Bearing, the essential machine parts required to run a vehicle, and Suspension Spring and Shock Absorber to absorb the shock from the road.

The Giga Steel introduced in the e Autopos automotive body solution is also applied to the suspension. POSCO developed a lighter, longer-lasting suspension with Giga Steel. POSCO Bearing Steel is used for hub bearings that are mounted on automotive wheels to help the wheels rotate. Since POSCO Bearing Steel is used for wheels that are directly connected to passenger safety, its quality is strictly managed and it features high resistance to abrasion, cracking, and deformation.

Tires with e Autopos solution are strong to puncture. This is possible because of POSCO Tire Cord Steel! The Tire Cord Steel supports the weight of the vehicle, maintains the shape of the tire, and extends the life of the tire. POSCO’s Tire Cord Steel is made of high-strength carbon, has excellent machinability and high strength, so it is lightweight and features excellent driving stability.

POSCO’s Spring Steel is applied to the Suspension Spring, which is responsible to secure comfortable rides by minimizing the shock or vibration transmitted from the road. As for the Shock Absorber, POSCO’s Carbon Steel for Machine Structure is adopted. POSCO Spring Steel is stronger than conventional spring steel by more than 200 MPa, yet 15% lighter since the number of coils wound around is minimized, making it suitable for weight reduction. As such, e Autopos solution is applied to all parts of the eco-friendly automotive chassis!

As descendants of “handy man (Homo habilis)”, we have created civilization by adjusting to and, at times, challenging the rough and ever-changing environment. Megacities with cars moving through a cluster of high-rise buildings, trains crossing long bridges, and airplanes flying, leaving white streak in the sky, show typical features of modern civilization. The use and advancement of tools led to the increase in industrial productivity, and, coincided with the physical expansion of the society, brought about the development of human civilization. Materials, which have played a fundamental role in increasing the efficiency of tools, are becoming a standard for determining the different stages of development of a civilization.

Tools made from materials that are easily found in nature, such as wood, straw, and stones can be commonly found. Objects and tools made from metal are also or even more commonly found. The use of metal in making tools began later than other materials as it is rather complex and requires elaborate use of fire to make metal from raw materials.

However, metals have become the most important material in today’s industrial society due to their strength and formability. Among various metals, steel has played a leading role due to the availability of the natural resources and is highly formable after relatively simple adjustments. As such, the production and consumption of steel can be an indicator of the level of development of a country.

“Dislocation” Sets a New Course in Metallurgy

Metals are typically solids at room temperature. Think of toys that consist of small individual pieces to be assembled to form a single larger object. Many solids are formed by regular arrangements of symmetrical structures (e.g. a cube) made of atoms in an infinitely repeating pattern, filling a three dimensional space. This is known as crystal structure.

The level of force between the atoms in a metallic crystal is known to be weaker than the force in other solid forms. Also, a crystal structure typically contains crystallographic defects that do not conform to the regular arrangement. Among the defects, “dislocation” greatly influences the mechanical properties of the crystal structure.

In a dislocation, empty spaces between atoms create a long, straight line. Tapping, bending, or stretching the metal is a process in which the dislocation within the metal is created and rearranged. Because the level of interaction between the metallic solid atoms is low, pre-existing chemical bonds can be easily broken to form new ones. In other words, it is possible to alter the arrangement of the dislocation and create a new form by exerting force. On the other hand, strongly-bonded crystal structures of other solids, such as salt, are difficult to alter their shapes as they are easily broken by exterior force.

Effective Control of “Dislocation” is a Metallurgist’s Dream

Developing strong, unbreakable, and ductile materials is a long standing dream of metallurgists. The key question to consider here is how to control the movement of the dislocation within a metal.

Metallic materials are produced by mixing two or more atoms to form an alloy. Their properties depend on the ratio of atoms and the manufacturing process.

Giga Steel, successfully commercialized by POSCO, is a high-strength steel designed and developed to create twinning, structures in which the left and right sides are symmetrical each other like a mirror image or to alter the crystal structure during plastic deformation by controlling dislocation. It can be considered as state-of-art metallic materials.

Going Beyond the Norm

Metallic materials have many stories to tell and metallurgists are becoming more elaborate in telling these stories. Here, we will highlight two recent accomplishments in metallurgical research, the first being high-entropy alloys.

Traditionally, metallic materials were developed as alloys made by combining two or three minor elements with major one depending on the required properties. A high-entropy alloy is formed by combining five or more elements in identical or similar ratio without a major element. This method enables alloys to be produced in almost-infinite varieties, and alloys with excellent cryogenic properties, corrosion-resistant alloys, have already been studied and presented.

Study results reveal that high-quality mechanical properties of the high-entropy alloy are closely related to twinning. This reaches beyond the common knowledge of metallurgy as it was previously assumed that these alloys existed beyond the scope of twinning.

The International Cooperation Research Team of Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology, POSTECH in Korea and KTH – Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, developed a general theory of the atomisitic level and conducted quantum mechanics calculations. As a result, it was revealed that the high-entropy alloy is a different class of material in comparison to the conventional alloys and that twinning occurs more effectively, thus attaining high mechanical properties.

Ultra-Light and High Strength

The second accomplishment to highlight is the ultra-light and high-strength steel developed at Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology, POSTECH. An alloy was designed to combine into steel containing high ratio contents of manganese and aluminum with a less amount of nickel, then the processing was controlled to produce small-sized secondary crystals.

Chemically stable secondary crystals were known to degrade the properties of metallic materials, and were thus avoided. On the contrary, the mechanical properties of the newly proposed alloy have been found to be superior to the conventional steel materials, including even titanium-alloys developed for aircraft materials. This implies that we should open a new chapter in the field of metallic materials with a new generation of high-alloy steel such as POSCO’s Giga Steel, high-entropy alloy, and ultra-light high-strength steel.

In Pursuit of a Safe and Sustainable Future

As descendants of “wise man (Homo sapiens)”, we should consider the future of our planet and civilization and demonstrate wisdom. The scientific knowledge that has led us thus far will guide us through the challenges faced by the humanity.

The role of metallurgists is also important. They would have to search deeply within the fundamentals, applications, and domains granted by Mother Nature to discover and apply versatile materials and contribute to creating a safe, efficient, and sustainable future.

Game of Thrones takes home six Emmy awards on September 18. (Source: Academy of Television Arts & Sciences)

After its absence from TV this year with the end of season 7, the 70th annual Primetime Emmy Awards last Tuesday revealed six major winning of the mega-hit fantasy series, Game of Thrones. It stole the show with major winnings including Outstanding Support Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage as Tyrian Lannister) and the biggest award adorning the event, Outstanding Drama Series among the 22 Emmy nominations earned.

Its worldwide fandom that burgeoned from the original fantasy novel, “A Song of Ice and Fire” has dominated beyond the TV screen and into the commercial market where the zeal over exact replicas of the TV props ranging from steel swords, armors, and costumes have grown into more than just a hobby. Many of its props and some replicas contain traces of steel that carry the narrative further, enriching the details in the show’s fictional world of Seven Kingdoms in Westeros.

A Character on its Own: A Sword Forged from Valyrian Steel

Weaponry, especially the steel sword is a major theme that resembles  its owner. Its imbued magic spells pit them against the actual human characters, enabling them to form their own compelling stories. According to the world of Westeros, Valyrian blades, the relics from the vanished civilization of Valyria forged with magic spells and special techniques, remain sharp forever without the need to be honed. These are valuable status symbols recognized for their strength and lightweight in comparison to ordinary steel.

There are 15 major Valyrian Steel swords that are wielded by the characters ultimately leading to the pursuit of the “Throne”. “Ice” is the name of the first great Valyrian sword featured on the series, an heirloom of House Stark. Its long robust shape resembles the honorable and devoted Ned Stark and the bearings of the north. “Longclaw”, with the bear’s head pommel in the hands of Jon Snow, the King in the North, was used against countless enemies, even turning the supernatural White Walker into fragments of ice. It is disputed to become the heirloom of House Stark that might replace Ice. The youngest of the Starks, Arya carries the thin and sharp “Needle” as her weapon of choice, suited for her slim build and quick agile movements for speedy attacks.

According to the legends, these swords are rare and superior in strength, as well as durable and resilient, placing important symbolic meaning to the houses of Westeros. Even these props and replicas in actuality contain steel to appear as authentic as possible.

Envisioning POSCO’s “Giga Steel Sword” in Westeros

The Valyrian Steel that kept the magic and craftsmanship alive had eventually vanished with its civilization. And so had the variant of actual steel technology namely, “Damascus Steel” that the original writer, George R. R. Martin based upon to create the concept of Valyrian Steel. This real-life swordsmithing originates from the Middle East and Asia that is exceptional as weapons for its sharpness, toughness, and resilience. Alas, its production technique now remains in history.

There is indeed a highly advanced form of high-strength alloyed steel in the real world. Suppose that POSCO’s ultra-high-strength steel, “Giga Steel” technology had existed in Westeros. It may have started a new civilization, that would surpass the glory of Valyrian Steel.

Giga Steel is an ultra-high-strength steel that withstands 1,500 compact cars (each weighing a ton) with a mere size of a human palm—yielding the same amount of resistance with less amount of steel. These marked qualities of Giga Steel can design a much stronger sword than even the invincible Valyrian Sword.

A regular steel cannot be shaped into diverse forms whereas Giga Steel has outstanding formability and high strength, thus the title, “Dream Steel”. Increasing the thickness while keeping its lightweighting in check, Giga Steel may have the upper hand even in the fictional Seven Kingdoms.

Identifying Compelling Characters through Steel Props

Almost all of the armors and costumes of the show are known to be made by craftsmen such as weavers, embroiderers and more. Most of the props use metals and steel that reveals the character’s true nature and status.

Often known as “The Mountain”, Gregor Clegane, a character who stands guard over Cersei from House Lannister, reveals his terrifying presence with a huge steel armor and helmet striking terror to those who meet his eye.

The popular HBO-licensed market-sold replicas of The Unsullied Helm of the elite warriors, The Unsullied is also made of steel. These former slaves freed by Daenerys Targaryen show their dutiful role with its combat-ready iconic spiked helmet. The Stark infantry shield that served the Kings in the North also uses steel material with a direwolf symbol showing dignity of having served the North in numerous battles.

With the anticipated eighth and the final season next year, hardcore fans are curious to see which swords will make the ultimate entrance in “The Great War”. Discussions on which Valyrian Sword will be used for Jon Snow’s epic action yet to be confirmed ranges among Longclaw, Heartsbane (from Samwell Tarly), Oathkeeper (from Brienne of Tarth), Widow’s Wail, Dark Sister, and Dawn. Which sword will aid the true heir to the iron throne remains a highly entertaining discussion.

With the first episode airing of a Japanese-production inspiration, “The New Legends of Monkey” on three networks earlier this year, along with previous hit series such as Marco Polo and Outlander, the entertainment industry’s demand for steel props is an amusing exploration to follow through. Steel’s instrumental role as a symbol of the invincible yet decorative material in fiction, inspired by actual history of human civilization is a remarkable accomplishment.

Reflecting the lightweighting trend of the auto industry and the rise in the level of seat frame strength for stability, the importance of lightweighting and strong seat frame material and technology is becoming increasingly apparent.  

POSCO Newsroom covers the scene where future cars are created— with DSC’s unceasing efforts in innovating lighter and stronger cars and POSCO, the manufacturer of “Giga Steel”, also referred to as “Dream Steel” that materializes these efforts.

Fuel Efficiency vs. Resistance to Impact

Which is a better pick? A light car for fuel efficiency? Or a car highly resistant to impact? The answer is both. Beyond the economic advantage of the consumer, reinforced environmental regulations along with raised awareness of environmental impact has caused the automotive industry and its consumers to regard lightweighting as a priority. Yet, it is also inevitable to seek out a strong car for passenger safety.

DSC has prioritized developing ultra-lightweight, high-strength seat frame, what all drivers and finished auto manufacturers yearn for. The first-generation through currently commercialized third-generation frame has seen through quite an innovation. DCS’s third-generation seat frame has decreased in weight by 21% compared to the first while the strength improved highly with the application of POSCO’s Giga Steel.

“Automotive lightweighting and structural stability are essential requirements that shouldn’t be overlooked. DSC is constantly innovating the seat frame’s rate of stability through lightweighting while maintaining the highest level of strength.” (Chan-gi Jo, the head of R&D Center at DSC)

DSC’s Unstoppable Drive for Innovation: Giga Steel and Low-Temperature Welding

To figure out how ultra-light and high-strength seat frames are originated, POSCO Newsroom paid a visit to DSC’s Head Office located in Gyeonggi-do, Korea. State-of-the-art equipment galore at the Pilot building where skilled engineers run elaborate tests and benchmarking while labs are running varied simulations based on blueprints.

Dong-su Kim, the head of of Global Support Office at at DSC referred to POSCO’s Giga Steel (resisting pressure of one gigapascal) as one of core solutions to DSC’s ultra-light, high-strength seat frame. By applying POSCO’s ultra-strength Giga Steel, less amount of steel performs the same amount of intensity. Thus, a lighter, stronger, and safer seat frame can be produced in comparison to what regular steel can offer.

DSC’s exclusive low-temperature welding technology that enables its unique high-strength seat frame was observed with the naked eye. Its low-temperature welding drastically improved regular laser beam welding that is less cost-efficient and difficult to modify. Through establishing its own seat frame technology, exclusive to the domestic market, DSC increases both the quality and stability while being adaptive to the changes in automotive manufacturing technology.

“DSC has achieved excellence through Giga Steel and low-temperature welding. It’s already a brand that is trusted by international automotive companies such as Hyundai motors, Ford, and Subaru. We are aiming to promptly accommodate the needs of future sustainable car industry through even more lighter and stronger seat frames by focusing on developing next-generation lightweight, high-strength seats.” (Dong-su Kim, the head of Global Support Office at DSC)

The Perfect Pairing: POSCO’s Giga Steel in DSC’s Seat Frame

POSCO’s Giga Steel is an ultra-high-strength steel plate that can withstand 1,500 units of 1-ton-worth compact cars on the size of a palm. Stronger products can be crafted with lesser weight, making it especially popular as a lightweight automotive material. DSC is also actively adopting POSCO’s Giga Steel as the ultimate lightweight and high-strength material for seat frames.

Recently, DSC and POSCO have taken their technological cooperation to the next level—next-generation ultra-lightweight seats making maximum use of Giga Steel. Already captivating the auto industry, this new seat frame evolution prides in using both companies’ cutting-edge technologies.

“DSC is currently supplying its high-strength seat frames to global car manufacturers with its production base in 20 locations around the world, including United States, China and Europe. POSCO will continue to build on its Solution Marketing activities with DSC, further expanding Giga Steel’s market share for seat frames.” (Jong-gyu Kim, POSCO Automotive Materials Marketing Office)

POSCO Newsroom has observed endless innovations in the making of light and strong cars, and heard stories of people who make dreams come true right at the scene. With DSC seeking perfection even in unseen areas, along with POSCO, the dream material, “Giga Steel” creator grasping the hidden needs of the manufacturer and the end consumer, the future of their bonded efforts is highly anticipated.

Hyperloop floating through the Megacity has become the hallmark of future transportation. (Source: Big Think Edge)

The premise scene of the current Sci-Fi hit series, “Westworld” reveals guests being whisked to the entrance of Westworld, the show’s elaborate theme park. This is carried out in a super-fast magnetic levitation pod, whooshed forward in a blur at the speed of sound. This is in fact, the synthetic cameo of Elon Musk’s actual innovation, the Hyperloop.

Although this backdrop is 2052, evidently far-fetched to the eye, the advent of Hyperloop as we know it is even more materialized in reality than viewers may imagine. This mode of transport is a peek at the bird’s eye view of what’s to come.

The electric vehicle is a major mode of futuristic transportation we are already familiar with. The commercialization of flying cars and drone taxis as well are in the cards. And what is the role of steel in their manifestations?

The Era of Electric SUV with Lightweight Steel

The I.D. Crozz by Volkswagen is an electric-powered cross-over between a coupé and SUV (Source: Volkswagen Newsroom)

The transport of tomorrow we are most accustomed to is the electric car. Some of the major auto industry players such as BMW Group, Volkswagen Group, and Ford Group have formed a Pan-European EV charging network, Ionity to ensure enough charging stations to meet the growing EV units.

Frontrunner Tesla’s most recent electric SUV invention, the Tesla Model X has motivated global competitors to spring up a range of electric SUVs. With the release of Jaguar I-Pace in March and the Hyundai Kona Electric in May along with the anticipated launch of Audi’s E-tron Quattro and Sportback, worldwide carmakers and consumers alike are aware that a new generation of electric SUV and its crossover versions are already in full swing.

Previously, the electric motor was commonly applicable only in compact or subcompact cars due to its limited battery capacity. They weren’t capable of reaching over a certain distance even once fully charged. As follows, lightweighting is inevitable to secure more miles on the road.

The development of battery performance and vehicle lightweighting technologies have enabled the creation of the electric SUV. Primary components of EV are the electric motors and batteries, especially the lithium-ion batteries that power the vehicle using POSCO’s cathode and anode.

An anode is a positively charged electrode in which the current flows into the system. Since last year, POSCO ES MATERIALS has been manufacturing highly-stable anode material, the PG-NCM which is world’s finest in quality. The cathode generates electricity by storing and releasing the lithium contained in the anode. At present, POSCO CHEMTECH is the sole manufacturer of anode materials in the domestic market.

The second solution to car lightweighting for more mileage would be POSCO’s Giga Steel. Giga Steel is a high-intensity steel capable of enduring the weight of 1,500 subcompact cars with a size that is merely 4 inches in width and 6 inches in length. Its intensity is thrice that of an automotive aluminum enabling even thin steel sheets to perform as robust car structure. Accordingly, it is unmatched in resolving both lightweight and stability issues for its lightness and high endurance. Experts predict the increase in demand for ultra-high tensile steel with gigapascal capacity of endurance suitable for advanced safety measures.

Whizzing from New York to Washington DC in 30 Minutes

Hyperloop travels at a supersonic speed of 760 miles per hour faster than that of a commercial airplane. (Source: Inverse)

A quick weekday evening spent with a family member in a US home state after work may just happen. A San Francisco resident can enjoy dinner after work with a friend from college in downtown LA in just 30 minutes. The same amount of time would take for a Dutch in Amsterdam to travel to Paris for a quick photo of the Eiffel Tower. The mode of transportation? None other than the Hyperloop.

It is one of the most innovative technologies in the next generation of transport initially mentioned in 2012 and explicitly open-sourced the following year by the CEO of Tesla Motors and Space X, Elon Musk. A pressurized pod would float through the vacuum tunnel while magnetic levitation enables it to hover above the rail to reduce friction.

Theory suggests the speed of Hyperloop is around 760 mph, considerably faster than that of a regular passenger flight which is 547 to 575 mph. It can transport passengers to neighboring states in the US or to neighboring countries in about half an hour. There is almost zero emission while solving congestion problems in a sustainable and cost-efficient way.

Since its conception, high-tech companies have been chasing after the hyperloop reality around the world. This includes Elon Musk’s Boring Company, business magnate, Richard Branson’s Virgin Hyperloop One, and LA-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), an American research company.

HTT has been constructing one of two test tracks in France, ready to convey the first passenger capsule later this year. It had already signed a 150 km Hyperloop system between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, partly expected to be operational in 2020. This agreement is the foundation to eventually run Hyperloop in between the Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Richard Branson announced earlier this year that he had signed an agreement with India’s Maharashtra State government to build Virgin Hyperloop One connecting the distance reaching up to 150 kilometers between two cities, Mumbai and Pune. We may eventually reap the benefits of the Hyperloop bringing the world closer together.

Most Hyperloop companies are developing tubes or tunnels out of steel from which most of the air has been removed. POSCO is also researching the application of steel designed for the Hyperloop while at its refurbished “Steel Gallery” exhibit at POSCO Center, visitors can experience Hyperloop through an interactive wall to learn about the anticipated performances of steel in the near future.

Beating Ground Traffic on a Drone Taxi

CityAirbus’s Drone Taxi underway (Source: Helicopter Newswire)

The opening scene of “Blade Runner 2049” released in October last year features a flying car whirring across the sky. The Passenger, Blade Runner “K” played by Ryan Gosling wakes up from what is a self-driving vehicle, flying him across his journeys. This premise of flying cars is always that one thing common in Sci-Fi movies, even the older version of Blade Runner which hit theaters back in 1982.

Considering its advantages versus overpopulation and hours idling in traffic, this may come away from the silver screen and into our real lives. No less than 19 companies have pursued the competition in commercializing flying cars.

Last May, Uber has teamed up with NASA, announcing its plans to service aerial taxi services by 2023 in LA, Dallas, and Dubai. Uber has signed an agreement with NASA to plan a new air traffic control software for what could be the beginning of establishing a new aerial smart system enabling advanced and efficient infrastructure from up above. Its’ servicing demonstration video reveals the passenger booking her flight through Uber app. Uber has already invested €20 million in flying taxi service in Paris, France. Its high-profile competitor, the Kitty Hawk project backed by Google founder, Larry Page has released its own version of the flying vehicle commercially available for sale.

Other countries such as Dubai and Japan have adopted their own versions of drone taxi services and is expediting its completion and starting launch by 2020. The Japanese government has partnered up with companies such as Boeing, Airbus, and Japanese Airlines and hopes to launch its prototype to be used to light the Olympic flame during the Games hosted by Tokyo in 2020.

Cars with wings especially require utmost safety and lightweighting even more so than most ground-based cars. POSCO’s ultra-high intensity steel sheet produced with advanced Giga Steel will be unequaled in offering such breakthrough technology.

These examined future transportations require steel as its fundamental material. Steel in itself faces constant evolution, not unlike the advancement of transportation as it is unique for both its strength and lightweight. Keeping its endless possibilities in mind, steel’s significance will be proven further in the newer forms of transportation to come.

Lightweight is compulsary for future electric vehicles(Source: MEGAEV)

The Lighter the Car, the Further it Goes

Vehicle electrification refers to the reduction or removal of the internal combustion engine and replacing it with an electric motor and battery. While electrification helps reduce global warming emissions, the batteries used in electric vehicles are too large in volume and weight, which limits the number of batteries a vehicle can carry. This leads to the critical drawback of an EV – that it cannot travel far on a single charge.

Placing more batteries in the vehicle to increase the driving range will also increase the vehicle weight, causing a further decrease in energy efficiency. So what are the ways to improve efficiency in electrified vehicles?

Material Matters

Reducing the weight of the materials used in the vehicles can be one solution. With government subsidies, EV manufacturers have been using carbon fiber composite materials and aluminum, which are lightweight but high cost materials to reduce vehicle weight. As EVs become more common and manufacturing cost becomes a growing concern, steel is expected to become an attractive alternative as a more economical material.

Also, since the battery is highly flammable upon impact, the ultra-high strength steel is expected to become more widely used in electric vehicles for an added layer of protection against collision. As provider of various steel solutions for automobiles including the ultra-high strength ‘GIGA STEEL’ and magnesium panels, POSCO is accelerating its efforts to support the changing needs of the auto industry to provide durable and lightweight solutions.

Limited performance of battery for electric vehicle can be improved by increasing the density of battery(Source: Los Angeles Times)

Battery, the heart of the EV

Electric vehicle gets its propulsion from batteries. The current issue of the battery is developing the battery with higher density. Like any other batteries, batteries for EV also have a lower density of energy compared to petroleum fueled energy. Basically, the energy density of battery is decided by the ratio of the substances (Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt and Manganese) composing cathode.

Due to the fluctuation of the price, increasing the ratio of Nickel is the new strategy to maximize the efficiency. In the recognition of this trend, POSCO ESM, one of the affiliates of the POSCO that manufactures the material for cathode and anode for batteries, developed PG-NCM (short for POSCO Gradient-Nickel Cobalt Manganese, applied NCM811 that contains more than 80% of Nickel) to prepare the future battles of electric battery field.

Efficiency of electric vehicle is still controversial(Source: Cardiff University Research)

What Drives the EV?

Another factor that can help increase the efficiency of an electric vehicle is the driving motor, which acts as an engine that moves the vehicle. Efficiency of the driving motor can be increased by reducing the thickness of the steel layers in the motor core, a key component of the driving motor. POSCO’s Hyper NO and self-bonding technologies enable production of 0.15mm ultrathin steel layers and high efficiency motor core components.

Efficiency of electric vehicle is still controversial(Source: LGNewsroom)

Future of Mobility

As public transportation becomes more convenient and the sharing economy becomes more widespread, it is becoming easier to “share” a vehicle whenever needed. With increased automation, we will see more vehicles that are simplified to accommodate 1, 2 persons or 8-person shuttles that are optimized for the shared economy. The race to provide the finest materials and components to accelerate the shift of paradigm of mobility has already begun.