Structural Supercapacitors for Energy Storage in Airframe Components

In this Phase I SBIR proposal, Structured Ions, LLC, will develop and demonstrate a structural supercapacitor that synergistically provides both structural load-bearing capabilities and electrical energy storage and distribution capabilities. The proposed structural supercapacitor is based on carbon-fiber--epoxy composite laminates suitably modified to provide the required multifunctionality of electrical energy storage in load-bearing aerospace structures. These multifunctional structural supercapacitors provide increased operational parameters in electrical propulsion aircraft without introducing parasitic weight by using batteries. Thereby, Structured Ions, LLC, provides a key enabling technology for commercial development and deployment of both unmanned and manned aircraft powered by electrical propulsion.