Euronews.green writes that the battery cell is lightweight, but it doesn't sacrifice on the durability side of things. Scientist Richa Chaudhary, one of the researchers who worked on the project, said that "we have succeeded in creating a battery made of carbon fiber composite that is as stiff as aluminum and energy-dense enough to be used commercially."

Because the battery is so thin and yet, durable, scientists say that it will be suitable for portable applications that run on electricity, currently or in the future. Thus, phones can get thinner, EVs lighter and electric aviation could be soon taking off.

"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", Professor Leif Asp, lead researcher from Chalmers University of Technology, said.

He mentioned that this technology, although costly for the transport industry, is where it could make the biggest difference in supporting electrification.

The first structural battery developed by the Swedish researchers was revealed in 2021 with an energy density of 24 watt-hours per kilogram, just 20% of what lithium-ion cells can achieve and the new model can reach 30 Wh/kg.

Professor Asp explains that "in terms of multifunctional properties, the new battery is twice as good as its predecessor - and actually the best ever made in the world."

Photo source: Chalmers University of Technology