STRUCTURAL BATTERY COMPOSITES
Structural battery composites are materials that can store energy like a battery while also being strong and lightweight, similar to components of a vehicle or device structure.
The most common approach to realize such multifunctional composites has been to embed thin-film batteries within composite laminates to create a multifunctional composite structure. They are made of more than one material, so they can store electrical energy like a regular battery and also be used as a
structural part of a vehicle or building, like a panel or beam. This integration makes the system lighter and more efficient because the energy storage medium also serves a mechanical purpose.
BENEFITS OF SBCs
- Multifunctionality: it performs two tasks simultaneously i.e. load bearing and energy storage
- Weight Reduction: It reduces overall system weight by eliminating separate battery packs.
- Space Efficiency: It embeds energy storage into the structure itself to free up space.
- Increased energy density: SBCs can achieve higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries by utilizing materials like silicon-carbon composites that extends driving range.
- Reduced energy consumption: Lighter vehicles require less energy to operate, leading to lower fuel consumption or electricity usage.
- High mechanical strength: SBCs are often based on carbon fiber reinforced polymers that offers excellent tensile and flexural strength for load-bearing applications.
