Rechargeable concrete batteries can now be possible, using buildings as batteries
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| Credit: Yen Strandqvist |
The research, Advanced Concrete Materials in Construction, is published in the journal, Buildings
Researchers from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering of the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have now succeeded in developing the world-first concept of rechargeable cement-based batteries, they were able to make a concrete based mixture, with small amounts of short carbon fibers which have the concrete mix increased conductivity and flexural toughness, and within that mixture, a metal-coated carbon-fiber mesh, iron for the anode and nickel for the cathode, this is the prototype which researchers now present.
Different combinations of tests were conducted, like using materials like Zinc, Manganese Dioxide, Iron, Nickel, Maganese Hydroxides. and the results showed that the best performance of the rechargeable battery was the Ni-Fe battery. “Results from earlier studies investigating concrete battery technology showed very low performance, so we realized we had to think out of the box, to come up with another way to produce the electrode. This particular idea that we have developed – which is also rechargeable – has never been explored before. Now we have proof of concept at lab scale," says Emma Zhang, the author of the article.
The battery has an average energy density of 7 Watthours per square meter, and estimates are that the new Chalmers battery's performance could be ten times than the earlier attempts at concrete batteries, although the energy density is still low in comparison to commercial batteries, its limitation could be overcome because of the high volume at which the battery could be constructed when used in buildings.
The idea is still at a very early stage, and what could this technology be used for is more like powering LEDs, providing 4G connections, coupled with solar cells, used for surveillance, monitoring systems in highways using sensors operated by a concrete battery. The entire fact that the battery is rechargeable is its most important quality, and the possibilities for utilisations will increase if the concept is further developed and commercialized.
Using structures as batteries could be revolutionary because it would offer an alternative solution to the energy crisis. “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”, says Emma Zhang.
Well, everything sounds good on paper and in labs, but still, there are some challenges, like concrete infrastructure is usually built to last fifty to hundred years, from this battery to be commercialized its service life will have to be extended and also the development of recycling techniques when their service life is over. But the researchers are hopeful that their innovation has a lot to offer.
Refernce: DOI: 10.3390/buildings11030103
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