Chalmers develops stronger, lighter structural battery
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have created a structural battery using carbon fiber composite with improved stiffness and energy density. The development could enable lighter, more energy-efficient vehicles.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have advanced structural battery technology by developing a carbon fiber composite material that offers increased stiffness and improved energy density. This breakthrough has the potential to facilitate the creation of lighter and more energy-efficient vehicles.
The research group's latest iteration of the structural battery achieves an energy density of 30 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), an increase from the previous 24 Wh/kg. While this capacity is still lower than conventional lithium-ion batteries, the integration of the battery into a vehicle's structure eliminates the need for separate battery components, significantly reducing overall weight. This weight reduction, in turn, decreases the energy required to operate the vehicle.
The material's stiffness has also seen substantial improvement, with an elastic modulus now measuring 70 gigapascals (GPa). This allows the battery to perform load-bearing functions comparable to aluminum but at a reduced weight. "In terms of multifunctional properties, the new battery is twice as good as its predecessor – and is actually the best ever made in the world," stated research leader Leif Asp.
To accelerate the commercialization of this technology, Chalmers has launched a venture company named Sinonus AB. Although significant engineering work remains to transition from laboratory-scale production to large-scale manufacturing, potential applications are broad. Near-term possibilities include thin and lightweight electronic devices like mobile phones and laptops. The automotive and aerospace industries have also expressed considerable interest in the technology.
Structural batteries are materials that can both store energy and bear structural loads. This allows the battery material itself to function as a component of the product's construction, leading to significant weight savings for electric vehicles, drones, and other devices. The latest findings have been published in the journal Advanced Materials.