Page 12 - Research and innovation In advanced materials with application to the railway sector

high-performance thermoplastics, a multitude of metal components in indoor and outdoor
applications.

In terms of energy consumption, and speaking of traction technologies, the current trend is
to replace classic IGBTs using SIC semiconductors, to gain efficiency, lightweight and
reducing consumption. At the same time, the possibility of creating multiple systems in
parallel of miniaturized capacitors would allow acquiring energy while the train is in
motion.

Regarding the issue of batteries, the same development that is taking place in the
automotive industry, with new battery technologies, moving from Li-Ion to other materials
that are more accessible, cheap, with a higher energy density and that are not located in
unstable geographical areas. New terms are being coined: post-Li-ion, post-Li, post-lithium,
“beyond-lithium”, “beyond-lithium-ion”, and so on. To refer to different technologies of
sodium-ion (Na ions), zinc-ion (Zn ions), metal-sulfur (Na-S, Li-S), metal-air (Na-air, Li-air)
batteries), and solid state batteries, redox flow, etc. All of them differ each other in the main
components and their chemistry, with different levels of development, although they all aim
to improve storage capacity and therefore autonomy. It will be necessary to rely on capacity
and knowledge in R+D+I of advanced batteries throughout the entire value chain (materials,
modelling and simulation, cell manufacturing, “Battery Packs”, Engineering and
manufacturing, testing and characterization, etc.)

Regarding energy, it is essential to dedicate a few lines to hydrogen technologies and fuel
cells. Currently, many initiatives are being moved at all levels, especially in the EU, in favour
of the development and implementation of this solution to suppress the consumption of
fossil fuels, so this seems to be a path already mapped out.

Finally, a mention of additive manufacturing technologies, both in composite material,
complying with fire and smoke regulations, and in metallic material. The high production
costs and the insufficient validation of the materials used (steel, Ti, Al) mean that this
technology is still far from its widespread implementation, but which, surely, will be a
benchmark in the future, having the potential to radically transform manufacturing.

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Position paper: Research and innovation in advanced materials with application to the railway sector
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