The design and application of multifunctional structure-battery materials systems

Combining structure and battery (power) functions in a single material entity permits improvements in system performance not possible through independent subsystem optimizations. The design of composite multifunctional materials for optimal system performance involves selection of constituents, material architecture, and interface connections. This overview focuses primarily on plastic lithium-ion structure-battery materials. Three main topic areas are considered: rules and tools for analysis and design of multifunctional materials; multifunctional structure-battery material systems; and structure-battery in the Defense Advanced Resources Projects Agency Wasp micro-air vehicle.