Quantum and SB Electronics Form Technology Partnership

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. and SBE (News - Alert), Inc. have entered into a technology partnership. As part of the pact, SBE is providing a novel integrated capacitor/bus structure design solution for Quantum power electronics for automotive applications.

"Quantum (News - Alert) continues to optimize and improve the efficiencies of our advanced electric drive-train products. We expect the SBE integrated capacitor/bus structure to enable substantial packaging and performance advantages in our next generation electric and hybrid-electric drive systems," said Alan Niedzwiecki, CEO Quantum Technologies, in a statement. 

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., a fully integrated alternative energy company, is a leader in the development and production of advanced propulsion systems, energy storage technologies, and alternative fuel vehicles.

"SBE is pleased that Quantum Technologies is one of the first implementers of our advanced integrated capacitor/bus designs,” said Ed Sawyer, president and CEO for SBE, Inc., in a statement.

Sawyer said that the company is proud to be partnering with a leading technology drivetrain provider like Quantum.

Jon Bereisa, senior technical advisor for SBE, Inc. said that the electrification of the automobile has successfully reached the technical feasibility stage today.

Bereisa said that cost improvements are needed to reach the commercial viability stage for mass market acceptance. Cost must be attacked everywhere.

“The SBE power ring capacitor technology is a major enabler for power electronics design simplification, up-integration, and higher temperature operation to significantly drive down the cost while improving performance," he added.

SBE, Inc. is a leading developer and manufacturer of film capacitor solutions that provide a much higher degree of reliability, higher power density, and simpler cooling infrastructure in demanding applications, particularly for automotive/transportation, alternative energy, utilities, power supplies/laser and military/aerospace.

Back in August 2010, SBE had announced that they will be partnering with the nonprofit Vermont HITEC and the Vermont Department of Labor to educate and train unemployed and underemployed Vermonters.