Characterization and reporting protocols for structural power composites: a perspective
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Structural power composites, multifunctional materials that can withstand mechanical loads while storing/delivering electrical energy, are gaining significant interest. However, a consequence of melding disparate structural and electrochemical technologies is that there are no common characterization and reporting protocols, undermining the advancement of this emerging field. This Perspective paper sets out the challenges and resulting issues in the literature and recommends best practices and requirements for future protocols for reporting multifunctional performance. A key recommendation is that a “universal coupon” should be developed to be used for both mechanical and electrochemical characterization of cells, and hence credibly declare multifunctional performance. Ultimately, such a universal coupon can simultaneously characterize both functions, so as to glean electrochemical–mechanical coupling phenomena. This article recommends reporting guidelines so as to avoid the current ambiguities associated with normalization and permit robust comparison across the literature. The aspiration is that the guidelines and framework outlined in this paper lay the groundwork for formal standard methods to be developed and agreed upon. Establishing robust characterization and clearer reporting permits researchers and industry to take an informed view of the literature and provides a better grounding for the adoption of this technology, underpinning future industrialization of these emerging materials.
Date Issued
2025-11-11
Date Acceptance
2025-07-08
Citation
Advanced Energy Materials, 2025, 15 (42)
ISSN
1614-6832
Publisher
Wiley
Journal / Book Title
Advanced Energy Materials
Volume
15
Issue
42
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Advanced Energy Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e04702
Date Publish Online
2025-08-11