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.

NASA applications included manned and unmanned aerial systems powered by electrical propulsion. This includes cargo and passenger transport electric airplanes, and UAVs for payload delivery, surveillance, data gathering, and weather monitoring applications

Non-NASA applications include power storage for portable electronics, automotive panels for electric vehicles, UAVs for payload delivery and recreation, UAVs for law enforcement, DoD, and other security applications, and electric aircraft for urban air transport.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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