Energy Storage Structural Composites with Integrated Lithium‐Ion Batteries: A Review

Integration of lithium‐ion batteries into fiber‐polymer composite structures so as to simultaneously carry mechanical loads and store electrical energy offer great potential to reduce the overall system weight. Herein, recent progresses in integration methods for achieving high mechanical efficiencies of embedding commercial lithium‐ion batteries inside composite materials are reviewed. The manufacturing techniques used to fabricate energy storage structural composites are discussed together with a comparison of their mechanical properties, energy storage capacity, and electrical performance. The mechanical performance of energy storage composites containing lithium‐ion batteries depends on many factors, including manufacturing method, materials used, structural design, and bonding between the structure and the integrated batteries. Energy storage composites with integrated lithium‐ion pouch batteries generally achieve a superior balance between mechanical performance and energy density compared to other commercial battery systems. Potential applications are presented for energy storage composites containing integrated lithium‐ion batteries including automotive, aircraft, spacecraft, marine and sports equipment. Opportunities and challenges in fabrication methods, mechanical characterizations, trade‐offs in engineering design, safety, and battery subcomponents are also discussed. Published research into energy storage structural composites containing fully integrated lithium‐ion batteries that can simultaneously carry mechanical loads and store electrical energy are reviewed in this paper. Challenges that require further research are identified, and these broadly include alternate fabrication methods, mechanical characterization, trade‐offs in engineering design, safety, and battery subcomponents.