Imagine a battery that’s not just a power source, but also a structural component, like a human skeleton. That’s the vision of researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, who have developed a revolutionary structural battery made from carbon fiber. This groundbreaking technology promises to reshape various industries, from automotive to aerospace, by offering lightweight, durable power solutions.
The structural battery, billed as the “world’s strongest battery,” is made from a carbon fiber composite that is as stiff as aluminum and energy-dense enough for commercial use. This means it can serve as a load-bearing structure while simultaneously storing energy. “We have succeeded in creating a made of carbon fiber composite that is as stiff as aluminium and energy-dense enough to be used commercially,” says Chalmers scientist Richa Chaudhary, one of the authors of the paper recently published in the journal Advanced Materials. “Just like a human skeleton, the battery has several functions at the same time.”
The implications of this technology are vast. Imagine “credit card-thin” mobile phones or laptops that are half the weight they are today, or electric vehicles that can travel significantly further on a single charge. These are just a few of the possibilities envisioned by the researchers.
One of the biggest challenges in electric transportation is the weight and space required for batteries. Traditional batteries are significantly heavier than jet fuel, making it difficult to achieve long ranges in electric vehicles and aircraft. The structural battery, however, could be integrated into the design of the vehicle itself, eliminating the need for bulky, separate battery packs.
While critics point out the difficulty of replacing integrated batteries later down the line, the potential benefits are undeniable. The Chalmers team claims their structural battery could increase the driving range of electric cars by up to 70 percent. “We have made calculations on electric cars that show that they could drive for up to 70 per cent longer than today if they had competitive structural batteries,” says Professor Leif Asp, lead researcher from Chalmers University of Technology. “It could also be that components such as or planes are powered by structural batteries. It will require large investments to meet the transport industry’s challenging energy needs, but this is also where the technology could make the most difference.”
This isn’t the first time the Chalmers team has made waves with their structural battery research. Their initial findings in 2018 sparked significant interest in the scientific community. In 2021, they achieved a breakthrough with a battery that had an energy density of 24 watt-hours per kilogram, about 20 percent of the capacity of comparable batteries. The latest iteration has an energy density of 30 watt-hours per kilogram, still lower than conventional batteries, but offering significant advantages in terms of structural functionality.
“In terms of multifunctional properties, the new battery is twice as good as its predecessor – and actually the best ever made in the world,” Asp claims. The potential of this technology is undeniable. It could lead to a future where electric vehicles are lighter, more efficient, and have longer ranges, and where aircraft are powered by lightweight, integrated batteries. As the researchers continue to refine this technology, the world is eagerly watching to see how it will reshape the landscape of transportation and energy storage.
