ElViS

Development and testing of ultra-light composite structures with integrated electrical storage function

Research into reduced resource consumption is focussing on innovative concepts for the storage and provision of electrical energy.
Heavy compact batteries lead to challenges in terms of weight distribution and limit the design possibilities. Weight savings are therefore absolutely essential, especially in the field of electrified aviation (drones, air taxis).

Five bubbles with various smaller bubbles arranged in an open ring. These are connected to the neighbouring bubbles by lines. Also: Labelling. — Schematic diagram of how a fibre-reinforced Li-ion battery works during the charging and discharging process.

One promising approach here are so-called structure-supporting batteries. These are innovative, multifunctional lightweight composite materials based on carbon fibres that also enable energy storage.
The ElViS project is investigating various ways of optimising the capacity per unit mass of Li-ion batteries. The main focus is on the production and testing of carbon fibre-reinforced thin-film electrodes. Here, the special properties of carbon fibres are used both electrochemically and mechanically. This should enable batteries to take on structural tasks in addition to storing electrical energy. This enables the substitution of existing, pure structural components and thus a reduction in the mass of the overall system.

Three illustrations. Fig. 1 (left) various layers, Fig. 2 (right): round, elongated, stacked moulds, Fig. 3: stacked moulds from Fig. 2 on a plate, above: Li+ bubbles. — Layer build-up of a structure-supporting pouch cell with fibre-reinforced thin-film electrodes.

Period

01.05.2022–30.04.2025

Project partners

Funding

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK): Federal Aviation Research Programme LuFo VI-2 "Disruptive technologies and innovative systems (eco-efficient flying)"
Funding code: 20E2118A