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UCSD’s New Device Stores Energy and Supports Weight at the Same Time

Imagine a phone case that not only protects your phone but also charges it. Or picture an electric car whose body panels help power the engine. This may sound like science fiction, but it’s now closer to reality thanks to a groundbreaking innovation by engineers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).

The team has developed a new kind of device called a structural supercapacitor. What makes this invention so special is that it can store energy like a battery and hold weight like a structural material. In short, it does the job of two devices in one, without adding any extra weight. This is a major step forward in making electronics and electric vehicles lighter, stronger, and more energy-efficient.

Let’s explore how this futuristic invention works, what it’s made of, and why it matters for our future.

What Is a Structural Supercapacitor?

A supercapacitor is a device that stores and releases energy quickly—much faster than traditional batteries. But it usually isn't strong enough to support any kind of load or weight.

On the other hand, structural materials like metal or hard plastic are great at holding weight, but they can’t store energy.

A structural supercapacitor combines the best of both: it works like a power bank and also acts like a building block for electronic devices, electric vehicles, or even lightweight boats. This combination helps reduce the need for separate batteries and structural frames—making devices lighter, stronger, and more efficient.

Why Is This a Big Deal?

In the world of engineering, every gram matters. Whether you're building a smartphone or a spacecraft, reducing weight without sacrificing performance is a key goal.

This new device can:

  • Provide electrical energy like a battery or capacitor.

  • Support physical loads like a structural frame.

  • Save space and weight by combining two functions into one material.

That means we could see lighter drones, faster electric cars, longer-lasting electronics, and more compact wearable devices—all without compromising on strength or energy storage.

The Genius Behind the Design

The team behind this innovation was led by Professors Tse Nga (Tina) Ng and Xinyu Zhang from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UC San Diego.

To test their invention, they built a tiny solar-powered boat. They used their structural supercapacitor as the hull of the boat (the part that floats on water). When the boat was placed under sunlight, a solar cell charged the supercapacitor. The stored energy was then used to power a small motor, allowing the boat to move.

This real-world demonstration proved that the device could both store energy and support the weight of the boat—without any extra battery or frame.

How Does the Device Work?

Let’s break it down into simple parts:

1. Electrodes: The Energy Storage Layers

The electrodes are the parts that store and release energy. In this device, they’re made of carbon fiber fabric. Carbon fibers are strong and lightweight. These fibers are then coated with:

  • Conductive polymer mixture: Helps conduct electricity.

  • Reduced graphene oxide: Improves energy storage and flow of ions.

This makes the electrodes strong and efficient at energy transfer.

2. Electrolyte: The Middle Layer That Balances Strength and Performance

Between the two electrodes is the electrolyte, which allows ions (tiny charged particles) to move during charging and discharging.

The electrolyte in this device is made of:

  • Epoxy resin: Provides strong mechanical support.

  • Polyethylene oxide (PEO): A special polymer that helps ions move.

Here’s the clever part: The amount of PEO varies in different parts of the electrolyte.

  • Near the electrodes, there’s more PEO, allowing faster ion movement and better energy performance.

  • In the center, there’s less PEO, which reduces pores and makes the material stronger.

This gradient design gives the device the best of both worlds: strong in the middle and highly conductive at the edges.

3. No Wires or Bulky Batteries Needed

Because the energy storage is built into the structure itself, there’s no need for additional wiring or bulky battery packs. This simplifies design and improves durability.

What’s Next for This Technology?

While the invention is impressive, it’s still in early stages. Right now, supercapacitors can release energy quickly (high power density) but don’t store as much energy over time as batteries (lower energy density).

Lulu Yao, a Ph.D. student and the study’s first author, says that future work will focus on increasing the energy density of the device. The goal is to match or even exceed some battery packs in both energy storage and performance.

If successful, this could lead to widespread use in:

  • Electric vehicles (cars, bikes, buses)

  • Wearable technology (smartwatches, fitness trackers)

  • Drones and aerospace (where weight is critical)

  • Consumer electronics (phones, tablets, e-readers)

  • Renewable energy systems (like solar-powered gadgets)

Real-World Impact: The Possibilities Are Endless

Let’s imagine how this structural supercapacitor could transform different industries:

🚗 Electric Cars:

Right now, electric vehicles carry heavy batteries under the floor. If the doors, roof, and seats could all store energy too, cars could become much lighter and go farther on a single charge.

📱 Phones and Laptops:

Instead of carrying separate batteries, devices could use their cases and frames to store energy—leading to thinner, longer-lasting electronics.

🚀 Aerospace:

Satellites and space vehicles need lightweight materials. Structural supercapacitors could reduce weight while improving power supply systems—an essential combination for space missions.

🏃‍♀️ Wearable Tech:

Fitness bands, smart clothes, and medical wearables could become more compact and efficient, with their fabrics or straps doubling as energy sources.

☀️ Solar-Powered Gadgets:

Devices that run on solar power often struggle with storing enough energy. These supercapacitors could hold more energy in the same space, improving off-grid tech.

Backed by Science and Support

This work was made possible with the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and was partly carried out at the San Diego Nanotechnology Infrastructure (SDNI). This facility is part of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure, which helps researchers across the U.S. develop cutting-edge technologies.

The research findings were published in the scientific journal Science Advances, in a paper titled “Structural Pseudocapacitors with Reinforced Interfaces to Increase Multifunctional Efficiency.”

Final Thoughts: A Step Toward Smarter, Lighter Futures

The UC San Diego team’s new structural supercapacitor is more than just a smart idea—it’s a real solution to one of modern technology’s biggest challenges: doing more with less.

By combining strength and energy storage in one material, this innovation opens the door to more efficient, compact, and powerful designs in everything from consumer electronics to space travel.

As engineers work to improve energy density and commercial applications, we could soon live in a world where the walls of your home store solar energy, your shoes charge your phone, and your car body powers your ride.

One material. Two functions. Infinite possibilities. 🌍⚡🛠️

Reference: 

  • Lulu Yao et al.
    •  
,
Structural pseudocapacitors with reinforced interfaces to increase multifunctional efficiency.Sci. Adv.9,eadh0069(2023).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adh0069

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