Structural batteries: redefining energy and device design
¿Qué pasaría si las baterías no solo almacenaran energía, sino que también formaran parte de la estructura de los dispositivos que alimentan? Las structural batteries are redefining what is possible in sectors such as electric aviation and mobile technology.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden) have created a solution that combines strength and lightness, enabling more innovative and sustainable designs. This technology promises not only to change how we use energy but also how we design the future. Are you ready to discover this revolution?
Batteries that redefine the limits of electric transportation
The key to this technology lies in its carbon fiber construction, a material rigid enough to serve as an integral part of a structure. According to researchers, the battery can function as structural support while storing and supplying energy, similar to how the human skeleton works.
“We have developed a battery made from a carbon fiber compound as rigid as aluminum, but with enough energy density for commercial applications,” explained Richa Chaudhary, Chalmers scientist and co-author of the study published in Advanced Materials. This breakthrough could be crucial to reducing the weight of electric vehicles and increasing their range.
New possibilities for phones and airplanes
The potential uses for this battery are astounding. From mobile phones “the thickness of a credit card” to ultra-light laptops, this technology could mark the beginning of an era of thinner and more efficient devices. According to Leif Asp, lead researcher, the benefits are also evident in the automotive and aerospace industries.
One of the biggest challenges in electric aviation is finding batteries that combine high energy density with a compact, lightweight design. Structural batteries could be integrated into the aircraft design itself, eliminating the need for dedicated compartments and significantly reducing total weight. However, this integration also presents a challenge: the difficulty of replacing batteries, as they would be part of the vehicle’s structure.
Significant advances in battery technology
The Chalmers team has been perfecting this technology for years, achieving significant progress since 2018. Their first prototype reached an energy density of 24 watt-hours per kilogram, 20% of conventional lithium-ion batteries’ capacity. The latest version reaches 30 watt-hours per kilogram and, although still below most commercial batteries, offers unique benefits due to its multifunctional capability.
“In terms of combined properties, this battery is the best ever created,” said Asp. They also estimate it could increase electric car range by 70%, making this technology especially promising for transportation applications.
Driving a greener, more efficient future
Structural battery technology not only promises technical benefits but also represents a paradigm shift toward more sustainable mobility. By reducing electric vehicles’ weight and improving their energy efficiency, dependency on fossil fuels and carbon emissions associated with transportation could decrease.
In aviation, where electrification has faced numerous challenges due to traditional battery limitations, this innovation could catalyze the development of viable electric planes. With less weight and more range, airlines could offer greener flights, paving the way for a cleaner air transport sector.
In consumer technology, the ability to integrate structural batteries directly into a device’s structure could revolutionize smartphone, tablet, and laptop design. Imagine credit-card-thin phones or ultra-light laptops with longer battery life—this technology could make it real. Additionally, material savings and compact designs could significantly reduce production and shipping costs.
Beyond efficiency and design, structural batteries could play a crucial role in combating the growing electronic waste problem, one of today’s greatest environmental challenges. Integrating the battery into the device structure reduces the number of separate components, simplifying manufacturing and disassembly. This could extend device lifespan and facilitate recycling at the end of life, minimizing landfill waste.
Moreover, by making devices lighter and more efficient, structural batteries could reduce the need to extract critical raw materials like lithium and cobalt, essential for traditional batteries. This would lower the environmental impact of mining and mitigate risks associated with sourcing, such as labor exploitation and ecosystem degradation. In a world of rapid technological advancement, adopting sustainable solutions like these is not just desirable—it is essential.
