Multifunctional composite materials are the future

Our goal is to produce high performance materials which have the ability to simultaneously carry mechanical loads and store electrical energy; the key here is not simply to bind two disparate components together, but to produce a single coherent material that inherently performs both roles. Structural power composites are expected to impact everyday life as we seek to generate, store and consume energy differently. 

To develop this technology is challenging and requires expertise and collaboration from chemists to aeronautical engineers, and a close connection between academics and industry leaders. We investigate suitable materials including the synthesis of electrodes/scaffolds and electrolytes, to scalable manufacturing/architectures and modelling to produce multifunctional components. We are also active in studies into damage, improving energy capacity, multifunctional design and adoption strategies for automotive and aeronautical applications. For our latest research, please see our Publications from the Team and our Collaborators.

Funding

The Structural Power Group is grateful for the funding provided by the Royal Academy of Engineering (Chair in Emerging Technologies), the UK Research and Innovation: Beyond structural - Multifunctional composites that store electrical energy (EP/P007465/1), the Future Composites Manufacturing Hub (EP/P006701/1) and the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (IOE Grant FA9550-17-1-0251) for additional funding. 

The Imperial Structural Power Group is also a member of The Structural pOweR CompositEs foR futurE civil aiRcraft (SORCERER) Project, a collaboration between Chalmers (Sweden), IMDEA (Spain), and KTH (Sweden) which receives funding from EU Horizon 2020 Programme and is part of the Clean Sky 2 Funding Scheme.