Breakthrough in battery technology paves the way for electric planes
Swedish scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in electric battery technology, developing what is being hailed as the "world's strongest battery." This advancement can potentially revolutionise industries, with substantial implications for smartphones, electric vehicles, and even aviation.
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have made a groundbreaking discovery that could pave the way for the first fully electric-powered aircraft. Until now, such advancements have been hindered by existing battery technology, as the batteries required for electric vehicles, such as cars, are approximately 40 times heavier than jet fuel for the same capacity.
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"World’s strongest battery" made in Sweden
Researchers at Chalmers have developed what they are calling the "world’s strongest battery" – a structural battery made from carbon fibre composite. Unlike conventional batteries, this innovation is so stiff that, rather than adding extra weight to vehicles, it can significantly reduce it by serving as part of the structure. One of the study’s authors, Dr Richa Chaudhary, stated: "We have succeeded in creating a battery made of carbon fibre composite that is as stiff as aluminium and energy-dense enough to be used commercially."
The material used for the "world’s strongest battery" is strong enough to act as a structural support, Euronews reports. This could enable its integration into vehicle designs, reducing weight and increasing range. Dr Chaudhary further explained: "Just like a human skeleton, the battery has several functions at the same time."
How can structural batteries change technology?
According to the researchers, the unique properties of the structural battery offer a wide range of potential applications. In commercial use, this breakthrough could lead to "credit card-thin" smartphones and laptops that are half the weight of current models.
Professor Leif Asp, one of the co-authors of the paper outlining the development of this revolutionary technology, published on 10 September in the scientific journal Advanced Materials, noted that the Swedish discovery is already drawing significant interest from both the automotive and aerospace industries.
"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," Asp says. "In terms of multifunctional properties, the new battery is twice as good as its predecessor - and actually the best ever made in the world."
Source: euronews.com
