Unveiling Top-Tier Electronics: Insider Reviews by Tom's Hardware Professionals
Carbon Fiber Structural Battery Breakthroughs: Lighter and Stronger Tech Devices Ahead
A Swedish startup could revolutionize building lighter laptops and other portable devices through its work with multipurpose materials. Specifically, its work with carbon fiber could lead to “massless” batteries where the material serves as energy storage and as part of the device’s outside case.
Tech startupSinonus sprang from research at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. A research team there has been working for years ondeveloping carbon fiber that offers both the stiffness required for structural integrity and the electrochemical performance needed to store energy.
Diagram showing layers of carbon fiber material offering structural and electrochemical properties Diagram showing layers of carbon fiber material offering structural and electrochemical properties (Image credit: Sinonus) Diagram showing layers of carbon fiber material offering structural and electrochemical properties (Image credit: Sinonus) ](https://newatlas.com/materials/sinonus-structural-carbon-fiber-battery/ )
Chalmers University of Technology and venture capital firm Chalmers Ventures spun the project into the startup, and Sinonus is now working to commercialize carbon fibers that double as electrodes. Sinonus has already developed a proof of concept, replacing AAA batteries in the lab with its carbon-electrode batteries.
Of course, AAA batteries are a far cry from the ones you find in your laptop or smartphone. The challenge lies in engineering the carbon fiber crystals to have the energy density required to be effective. While Sinonus hasn’t published its current energy-density metrics, the 2021 prototype at Chalmers University only came in at 24 Watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). By comparison, existing lithium-ion batteries in laptops typically have an energy density between 80 and 120 Wh/kg.
A sample of Sinonus’s energy-storing carbon fiber material A sample of Sinonus’s energy-storing carbon fiber material (Image credit: Sinonus) A sample of Sinonus’s energy-storing carbon fiber material (Image credit: Sinonus) ](https://sinonus.com/#About )
The recently appointed CEO at Sinonus, Markus Zetterström, acknowledged this challenge. However, he also pointed out that the material doubling as a structural integrity component helps justify the loss of electrical storage efficiency. “Storing electrical energy in carbon fiber may perhaps not become as efficient as traditional batteries, but since our carbon fiber solution also has a structural load-bearing capability, very large gains can be made at a system level,” hetold New Atlas .
As Sinonus describes it, using “the mass that is already there” to store energy could serve to reduce the weight and volume of the device while still improving overall system performance. After all, if your laptop is smaller and lighter while still giving the same battery life, it hardly matters that the material storing the energy isn’t as efficient as a LiON battery pack.
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom’s Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
By submitting your information you agree to theTerms & Conditions andPrivacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Also read:
- [New] Encompassing VSCO Photo Editor Explained
- [Updated] Virtual Aid FB Stories Downloader for 2024
- A Kinemaster Editor's Roadmap for Flawless Transitions for 2024
- Affordable Valkyrie AL125 MicroATX CPU Air Cooler with Customizable RGB & IPS Display Support - Less Than $20
- Arctic Freezer 36 Air Cooler Reviewed: A Game Changer for Affordable Climate Control Solutions
- Benchmark Analysis: How the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon Sets New Standards in 3D Printing
- Comprehensive Analysis of the ID-Cooling FX360 Pro - Top Performance for Under $70!
- Computex Highlight: ADATA's Revolutionary Air/Water Combination in Cooling Towers, Upcoming PSUs, and Next-Gen PCIe Gen 5 SSDs Teased
- Cost-Effective Cooling Solutions Uncovered: A Detailed Analysis of the Silent Efficiency in Iceberg Thermal's IceFLOE Model Lineup (240 and 360)
- Creating a Channel Focused on Reviewing Marketplace Items for 2024
- Discover the Best Deal on Eleegoo Neptune 4 Pro 3D Printer: Unbeatable Price of $240 at Newegg
- Discover Top-Notch Computer Tech Advice with Tom's Equipment Experts
- Dive Into Hardware Evaluations with Tom's Technological Perspectives
- Eco-Friendly Creations: Crafting Quality 3D Print Filaments From Used Plastic Utensils
- Expert Picks: Top SBCs with RP2040 Chipset Set to Release
- In 2024, 3 Ways to Track Infinix Note 30i without Them Knowing | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How Can We Unlock Our Oppo Reno 11 5G Phone Screen?
- Introducing the Sleek and Powerful Valkyrie AL125 CPU Cooling Solution: Crisp IPS Display, Dazzling RGB Light Effects, All for Less than Twenty Bucks
- Navigating Facebook to Play YouTube Videos Without Interruption for 2024
- Premiere's Role in Your YouTube Creation Process
- Step Into Song Savvy YouTube Playlist Excellence for 2024
- The Best Ergonomic Wireless Mouse Options of 2024: Increase Workplace Efficiency and Comfort
- The Definitive Source for All Things Technical: Discover Tom's Hardware Wisdom
- The Expertise of Tom's Hardware Solutions Explained
- The Most Effective Thermal Compounds for Computers - Rankings After Extensive Evaluation of 90 Products
- The Ultimate List of Leading RP20n040 Microcontroller Boards
- Tom's Tech Advice: The Ultimate Guide to Computer Equipment
- Tom's Technical World: The Ultimate Hardware Compendium
- Top Rated Portable SSD Drives of 2024
- Transform Your Document Drafting Process: Mastering Automated Content Creation with ChatGPT & Word
- Ultimate Buyer's Guide: Leading PC Configurations for Gamers in 2E3 (Budget to Luxury)
- Ultimate Guide to the Most Cost-Effective Gaming Laptops Under $1,000
- Unlocking Performance Potential: Top Tips From Tom's Hardware Experts
- US Imposes Penalties on DeepCool's Sales Support to Russia Amidst Conflict with Ukraine
- WU & Orchestrator: The Pillars of Update Routine
- Title: Unveiling Top-Tier Electronics: Insider Reviews by Tom's Hardware Professionals
- Author: George
- Created at : 2024-08-19 02:50:48
- Updated at : 2024-08-20 02:50:48
- Link: https://hardware-tips.techidaily.com/unveiling-top-tier-electronics-insider-reviews-by-toms-hardware-professionals/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.