Improving the efficiency and power density of electric vehicle powertrain systems is the focus of a partnership between UWindsor researchers and a leading global automotive supplier.

Engineering professor Ram Balachandar will conduct a $326,000 project — in collaboration with mobility technology company Magna International, the largest automotive supplier in North America — that aims to improve cooling systems for electric motors and power electronics while reducing costs.

As temperatures rise inside the power electronic converters and electric motors, their peak power rating, operational efficiency, and power density are diminished.

“This necessitates the need for improved thermal management and packaging design of the inverters and motors keeping stringent automotive cost targets,” Dr. Balachandar says.

The first phase of the project included the development of an innovative, cost-effective liquid cooling solution for power electronics, which is being optimized for manufacturing and commercialization within Magna. The University and Magna have already co-filed patent applications for similar products through previous research projects and have established a partnership in the collaborative development of new technologies.

The second phase of the project will focus on developing novel turbulence enhancing stator, rotor, and power electronics cooling systems that include multiple liquids and unconventional designs with simple flow paths and mixers.

Researchers will use thermal analysis software to design, model, and optimize the cooling systems against data obtained from simulations and field tests conducted at Magna. The developed cooling systems will then be tested in UWindsor labs using real-vehicle conditions data provided by Magna.

“This thermal management system will increase the overall efficiency and reliability of the electric motor and associated electronics by ensuring operation at optimal temperatures during the various stages of the drive cycle,” Balachandar says. “This will eventually lead to increased driving range and safer operational life for electric vehicles.”

The project is funded by Magna and the Ontario Centres of Excellence Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) program, which supports partnerships between Ontario companies and post-secondary institutions to develop, implement, and commercialize technical innovations. Smart Computing for Innovation (SOCCIP) is providing approximately $26,000 in computation resources.

Balachandar points to market research that predicts the global electric vehicle motor market will grow steadily and post a compound annual growth rate of almost 23 per cent by 2021.

“This project will create significant knowledge that can be incorporated in Magna’s range of motors and power electronic systems as well as commercialization opportunities through the development of new-generation e-drive systems,” he says.

“Furthermore, employing technical and manufacturing expertise from the University of Windsor and Magna is expected to enable significant breakthroughs by bridging the gap between academia and industrial based research in the area of thermal management and packaging of e-drives.”

—Kristie Pearce

The University will be flexible in accommodating members of the campus community who wish to take part in the labour action proposed by Scholar Strike Canada for Sept. 9 and 10, provost Douglas Kneale said in a statement released Tuesday.

Organizers are calling on academics to pause their regular duties to protest anti-Black police violence and anti-Indigenous colonial violence.

Dr. Kneale noted the University’s enhanced institutional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and asked faculty members to consider alternative ways to demonstrate support without cancelling the first day of classes.

“Because students may not be aware of the action, we are asking instructors who participate to clarify in advance with their students how their courses will be adjusted to ensure completion of learning outcomes over the rest of the semester,” he wrote.

Read the entire memorandum.

The Office of Student Experience has a message on the topic of large gatherings for all students living on or near campus: Just say no.

“We are respectfully asking all of students to avoid any large gatherings or parties this fall,” says Ryan Flannagan, associate vice-president, student experience. “We know the first month of classes is that time of the year when students like to host and attend gatherings to celebrate the reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.

“While we understand the desire to get together, this fall we’re asking all students to be aware of and to comply with public health directives on gatherings.”

Windsor-Essex is in stage three of the province’s re-opening strategy, and the region’s public health unit has provided the following direction:

• Indoor gathering limited to a maximum of 50 people, subject to physical distancing of at least two metres with people from outside their households or social circles.
• Outdoor gathering limited to a maximum of 100 people, subject to physical distancing of at least two metres with people from outside their households or social circles.

The key consideration is the requirement to social distance two meters. Students looking to host friends must keep this two-metre requirement in mind.

Herman Dayal, president of the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance, supports students socializing, but in ways that are consistent with the direction provided by public health officials.

“The fall semester marks an incredible opportunity to celebrate. However, it's important to ensure social gatherings are within the guidelines recommended, limiting the number of people present and practising effective sanitary measures,” he says.

“Instead of delivering its iconic tent parties for Welcome Week, the UWSA has chosen to deliver a blend of virtual and restricted in-person events. When we've all done our part to limit the pandemic, the UWSA will once again connect with students in person, and that’s a celebration we can't wait for.”

For further information on the Windsor Essex County Health Unit’s directives concerning the region’s phase three status, visit its COVID-19 info page.

Parking Services will not be collecting fees from students, faculty, or staff to park on campus until further notice.

Students may park in any of the lots designated for student parking; faculty and staff in any lot designated for employee parking. Here is a map indicating these locations.

The parking garage may be used only by faculty and staff who currently have access to the garage.

The pay-and-display lot in front of Vanier Hall is not a designated parking area for students, faculty, or staff.

Parking Services encourages anyone parking on campus to follow standard parking protocols. Enforcement officers will be returning to campus and will monitor all lots on campus for the safety of the UWindsor community by ensuring that drivers respect fire routes, laneways, and accessible spaces.

As a preview of Continuing Education's October launch of the Applied Leadership Program, instructors and community leaders are joining representatives from Highline Mushrooms — the program’s industry project sponsor — for an interactive, livestreamed session on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The panel will delve into the challenges, techniques, and successes of leading teams through periods of change and navigating transition.

Register for the “Leading through Change” panel discussion.

A program designed to help women overcome the systemic barriers they face in entrepreneurship is accepting applications until Sept. 24 for its next four-month term.

The Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovations Centre (EPICentre) provides participants in its VentureWomen program with skills, competencies, and know-how on a wide range of topics, says director Wen Teoh.

“We kicked off our first cohort of the EPIC VentureWomen program this past February and it was a huge success,” Teoh says. “The EPICentre team wants all future female leaders to realize their full potential by gaining the tools and knowledge needed to break down barriers and made a real impact within our community.”

The program is valued at over $7,500 and is free to all participants. Find more information, including benefits and eligibility, at www.epicentreuwindsor.ca/epic-venturewomen/.

Try to get outside each day and enjoy the fresh air, says a message shared by the Department of Human Resources with UWindsor faculty and staff Tuesday.

In a tip provided by Sarah Woodruff Atkinson, head of the kinesiology department, it advises keeping exercise fun and at a pace manageable for each individual.

Read the entire message.