Part 4/11:
While the concept of structural batteries is exciting, their development is fraught with complexities. Creating materials that fulfill the demanding roles of both structural support and energy storage is a daunting task. This balancing act must consider multiple factors, including performance, safety, weight, cost, and manufacturability. For instance, as batteries charge, they tend to swell—a characteristic known as the lithiation process. This issue becomes critical when the battery serves as structural components, as physical distortion could lead to significant safety concerns.