Building on pioneering work done at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Swedish startup Sinonus is looking to commercialize a new multifunctional carbon fiber composite that can function as a battery, hoping its technology can eliminate battery packs. traditional devices such as laptops. electric vehicles and airplanes.
The creation of carbon fiber provides structural strength while reducing weight and improving system performance by using existing mass to store energy. This trick is achieved by using carbon fibers as electrodes in a battery cell, combined with a specially developed electrolyte, to create strong, lightweight constructions with integrated electrical storage.
As reported in New Atlas, this journey began more than a decade ago when Volvo research in collaboration with Chalmers University identified carbon fibers with optimal electrical conductivity and structural rigidity. In 2022, Chalmers Ventures spun off the project into Sinonus, focusing on multifunctional materials to save resources.
Small cost problem
Although current prototypes have lower energy density than traditional batteries, they offer advantages in safety and resource conservation. The company's laboratory tests have already replaced AAA batteries in low-power applications with carbon electrode batteries. The next goal is to expand it for more demanding uses, such as IoT devices and, eventually, electric cars and airplanes.
“Carbon fiber electrical energy storage may not be as efficient as traditional batteries, but since our carbon fiber solution also has structural load capacity, large system-level gains can be achieved,” said Sinonus CEO Markus Zetterström.
Some pretty big challenges remain, including achieving higher energy density and reducing costs. As New Atlas points out: “EV batteries are expensive on their own, but would replacing them with specially interspersed electric-grade carbon fiber really be cheaper?”
Sinonus, however, remains optimistic, pointing to studies suggesting structural carbon fiber batteries could extend the range of electric vehicles by up to 70%, emphasizing their potential for safer and more efficient energy storage.
