Lead Chief Investigator
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Project Team
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Technical Case
Making structures multifunctional is an efficient way of reducing system weight, especially for hybrid and electrical vehicles. Typical
batteries have 50% dead weight and adversely affect fuel consumption, extend range, space shortage, and dynamic handling of vehicles. This project aims to develop new design concepts for efficient integration of energy storage with load-carrying structures, building on the recent research which has found that rechargeable batteries integrated with fibre-reinforced composite structures remain fully functional when the structures are designed to operate within a certain load range. However, the ultimate adoption of this revolutionary technology demands new lightweight construction design with a high level of safety in a ve1y wide range of risk and accident scenarios. Researchers will develop unique design and research skills by extending the corrugated sandwich design demonstrated as having superior bending and energy absorption than other sandwich designs.
This project will involve close collaborate with POs CME, CSIRO and Ford to develop an integration technique such that (i) the mechanical deformation does not adversely affect battery performance and (ii) the structure can protect the batteries under representative accident scenarios, such as front and side crashes.