Mechanical Model Development for Composite Structural Supercapacitors

Ricks, Trenton M.; Lacy, Thomas E., Jr.; Santiago, Diana; Bednarcyk, Brett A.

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NASA NTRS · 20160013861

Mechanical Model Development for Composite Structural Supercapacitors

Ricks, Trenton M.·Lacy, Thomas E., Jr.·Santiago, Diana·Bednarcyk, Brett A.

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Abstract

Novel composite structural supercapacitor concepts have recently been developed as a means both to store electrical charge and to provide modest mechanical load carrying capability. Double-layer composite supercapacitors are often fabricated by impregnating a woven carbon fiber fabric, which serves as the electrodes, with a structural polymer electrolyte. Polypropylene or a glass fabric is often used as the separator material. Recent research has been primarily limited to evaluating these composites experimentally. In this study, mechanical models based on the Multiscale Generalized Method of Cells (MSGMC) were developed and used to calculate the shear and tensile properties and response of two composite structural supercapacitors from the literature. The modeling approach was first validated against traditional composite laminate data. MSGMC models for composite supercapacitors were developed, and accurate elastic shear/tensile properties were obtained. It is envisioned that further development of the models presented in this work will facilitate the design of composite components for aerospace and automotive applications and can be used to screen candidate constituent materials for inclusion in future composite structural supercapacitor concepts.

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Ricks, Trenton M., Lacy, Thomas E., Jr., Santiago, Diana, Bednarcyk, Brett A.. 2016-11-01. Mechanical Model Development for Composite Structural Supercapacitors. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20160013861

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