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Structural Batteries: A Review
Federico Danzi1,2, Rui Martim Salgado3, Joana Espain Oliveira1,2
1LAETA, Department of Engineering Physics, Engineering Faculty, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Structural power composites integrate electrochemical properties into high-performance materials for efficient, eco-friendly vehicles. This review covers integrated batteries and carbon fiber multifunctional materials, highlighting challenges and future directions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Modern transportation demands more efficient and eco-friendly vehicles.
- High-performance composites can be engineered with electrochemical properties.
- Structural power composites offer a potential solution by combining structural integrity with energy storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review recent developments in structural power composites.
- To cover two main technologies: integrated batteries and carbon fiber-based multifunctional materials.
- To address challenges and explore future configurations for these advanced materials.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on integrated lithium-ion batteries in composite structures.
- In-depth analysis of fabricating carbon fiber-based multifunctional materials.
- Discussion of synergistic combinations of fibers, matrices, ionic salts, and cathodic materials for monolithic structural batteries.
Main Results:
- Two primary technologies for structural power composites have been identified and analyzed.
- Key challenges include optimizing curing cycles for embedded configurations and developing conductive structural electrolytes for monolithic designs.
- An overview of multiphysics material models and a potential solid-state electrolyte configuration are presented.
Conclusions:
- Structural power composites represent a promising avenue for next-generation energy storage in transportation.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges related to material integration, performance, and manufacturing.
- Solid-state electrolytes offer a potential alternative for future structural battery designs.
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