Chalmers presents advances in structural batteries

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg, Sweden) have developed a special carbon fiber material—a load-bearing material that can simultaneously store energy. This technology, called structural batteries, could in the future be highly significant for industries such as automotive and aviation. Perhaps we will soon see planes and drones generating their own electrical power. Chalmers researchers have already demonstrated this in pocket flashlights that are also their own batteries. The solution is based on structural batteries, which combine load-bearing and energy storage functions, allowing electricity to be stored directly in a product's structure rather than in separate batteries. This carbon fiber-based technology can reduce both weight and energy consumption by replacing traditional battery packs and construction materials. Potential applications include drones, electronics, and the automotive, aviation, and space industries, where weight savings are particularly crucial. "We have managed to create a much better combination of energy storage properties and stiffness in our material," said Leif Asp, Professor of Material Mechanics at Chalmers University of Technology, in an interview with SVT Nyheter. Although researchers are making clear progress, technical challenges remain, including achieving the same energy density and power as conventional lithium-ion batteries