Scientists and researchers are continuously looking for ways to generate and store energy. The most common form nowadays is lithium-ion which is extensively used in portable electronic devices like phones, tablets, and laptops. This extensive use cannot guarantee that it is the best method. Moreover, people are becoming concerned about environmental issues and are increasingly looking for sustainable forms of energy.
The researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden have come up with new cement-based battery technology. Cement is widely used in the construction industry and the researchers are trying out ways in which buildings can be constructed with this technology which will, in turn, help it to store energy and give out enough energy to power the building.
The researchers have mixed short carbon fibers with the cement-based mixture which will increase properties like conductivity and flexural toughness. To help carry the electrons back and forth, a metal-coated carbon-fiber mesh is also added to the mixture. The energy density here is low compared to other available batteries, but the researchers hope that they can overcome this by using it in large volumes as when used to construct a building.
Emma Zhang, who is a member of the research team told that “We have a vision that in the future, this technology could allow for whole sections of multi-story buildings made of functional concrete. Considering that any concrete surface could have a layer of this electrode embedded, we are talking about enormous volumes of functional concrete.”
