Concrete "battery" developed at MIT now packs 10 times the power
13 hours ago
- #energy-storage
- #sustainable-construction
- #nanotechnology
- Concrete can now store and release electrical energy, potentially turning structures like walls and bridges into giant 'batteries.'
- MIT researchers improved the energy storage capacity of electron-conducting carbon concrete (ec3) by optimizing electrolytes and manufacturing processes.
- The latest ec3 version requires only 5 cubic meters (the volume of a basement wall) to meet a home's daily energy needs, down from 45 cubic meters.
- The conductive 'nanonetwork' inside ec3 was studied using FIB-SEM tomography, revealing a fractal-like web that enables electrolyte infiltration and current flow.
- Organic electrolytes, including quaternary ammonium salts and acetonitrile, achieved the highest energy storage density (over 2 kWh per cubic meter).
- ec3 can be integrated into architectural elements, lasting as long as the structure itself, and may enable self-monitoring of structural health.
- Potential applications include charging roads for electric vehicles, off-grid homes, and coastal/marine structures using seawater as an electrolyte.
- The team built a miniature ec3 arch that powered an LED light, demonstrating structural and energy storage capabilities.
- ec3 could help address renewable energy storage challenges, such as solar power intermittency, without relying on scarce or harmful materials.
- The technology merges ancient concrete with modern nanoscience, opening possibilities for multifunctional infrastructure.