Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a carbon fiber composite battery technology that combines energy storage and structural integrity, potentially revolutionizing the design of electronic devices and vehicles. This “massless” battery is as stiff as aluminum and possesses sufficient energy density for commercial use. By integrating the battery into the structural material of cars, planes, ships, or computers, significant weight reduction and energy savings can be achieved.
The innovative battery concept utilizes carbon fiber as both the positive and negative electrodes, with the positive electrode coated with lithium iron phosphate. The carbon fiber serves multiple functions: in the anode, it acts as reinforcement, an electrical collector, and active material; in the cathode, it provides reinforcement, current collection, and a scaffold for lithium deposition. This multifunctionality reduces the need for additional materials like copper or aluminum current collectors, further decreasing overall weight.
“We have succeeded in creating a battery made of carbon fiber composite that is as stiff as aluminum and energy-dense enough to be used commercially. Just like a human skeleton, the battery has several functions at the same time,” said Richa Chaudhary, a researcher at Chalmers University and first author of the study published in Advanced Materials.
The research team has been working on structural batteries for several years, aiming to increase both stiffness and energy density. Their latest development has achieved an energy density of 30 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), an improvement over their previous milestone of 24 Wh/kg. While still lower than conventional lithium-ion batteries, the overall weight reduction in vehicles could lead to up to a 70% increase in electric car driving range on a single charge.
“Investing in light and energy-efficient vehicles is essential if we are to economize on energy and think about future generations. We have made calculations showing that electric cars could drive up to 70% longer than today if they had competitive structural batteries,” said Professor Leif Asp, research leader at Chalmers.
The new structural battery also offers increased safety due to its semi-solid electrolyte, which reduces the risk of fire compared to liquid electrolytes. The research has garnered significant interest from the automotive and aerospace industries, although further engineering work is needed to scale up production for commercial applications.
Reference: “Unveiling the Multifunctional Carbon Fiber Structural Battery” by Richa Chaudhary et al., published in Advanced Materials. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202409725
