Multifunctional sandwich composites containing embedded lithium-ion polymer batteries under bending loads

Abstract

Multifunctional composites that combine high load-bearing properties and energy storage capacity have potential application in next-generation electric vehicles. The effect of high structural bending loads on the flexural properties and electrical energy storage capacity of sandwich composites containing lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) batteries embedded within the polymer foam core is explored in this paper. Three-point bend tests which induce failure by plastic indentation or cracking of the core are performed on sandwich composites containing single or multiple LiPo batteries. The bending properties of the sandwich material are not changed significantly by embedding batteries within the core. The energy storage capacity of the sandwich composite can be increased by inserting multiple batteries without adversely affecting the bending properties. Furthermore, the internal electrical resistance and capacity of the batteries is not degraded when the sandwich composites are damaged by high bending loads. The implications of the results for the design of light-weight multifunctional sandwich composites with high energy storage capacity are discussed.