Swedish scientists develop world's strongest battery, revolutionizing technology
Swedish scientists have made a breakthrough in electric battery technology. They have successfully created the "world’s strongest battery." Why will this discovery change smartphones, cars, and aeroplanes?
13 September 2024 13:03
Scientists from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have made a breakthrough that could enable the creation of the first electrically powered airplanes. This was impossible with the existing technology used, for example, in electric cars, because batteries with the same efficiency are about 40 times heavier than jet fuel.
The world's toughest battery was created in Sweden
Researchers from Chalmers have created a new type of battery - a structural battery. Made from carbon fibre, it is so tough that instead of being an additional load for vehicles, it can drastically reduce their weight as a structural element. One of the study's authors, Dr. Richa Chaudhary, explained: "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 from which the toughest battery in the world is made is strong enough to serve as a load-bearing structural element. This will allow it to be integrated into vehicle structures to reduce weight and significantly increase range. Dr Chaudhary explained: "Just like a human skeleton, the battery has several functions at the same time."
How will structural batteries change technology?
According to scientists, the properties of the structural battery mean it can be used in numerous ways. Commercial use could mean "credit card-thin" smartphones and laptops half the weight of current models. Prof. Leif Asp, one of the co-authors of the article summarising the breakthrough technology, which was published on 10 September in the scientific journal "Advanced Materials," stated that the Swedish discovery had attracted significant interest from the automotive and aviation industries.
Prof. Asp stated, "We have made calculations on electric cars that show that they could drive for up to 70% longer than today if they had competitive structural batteries." The scientist is certain: "In terms of multifunctional properties, the new battery is twice as good as its predecessor—and actually the best ever made in the world."
