“Even in that simplified, proof-of-concept drone, the printed battery achieves a 50 percent boost in energy density, and uses 35 percent more available volume.”
Interesting idea, though no word on cost. I doubt they could compete with the economies of scale lithium-ion batteries benefit from. Then again, it isn’t always about being the cheapest. The world is full of hundreds of thousands of different models of machines that might benefit from this. Some people will happily pay extra to get a 50% boost in capacity.
Material’s Printed Batteries Put Power in Every Nook and Cranny
Interesting, but:
Elias notes that Apple and other companies are investing massive amounts of money to create conformable batteries, such as the L-shaped batteries in some iPhones, but are using costly and limited traditional methods.
See, the thing with molds and specialised tools is that they get really, really cheap at scale. It you’re making something like a drone, using a mass-produced drone-shaped battery and fastening chips and motors on seems like it would be better than painstakingly printing a battery into whatever cheap plastic body.
The tech eliminates the metal casings, bus bars and other components that hog space in conventional cells.
Those things also all have purposes. I have to wonder if there’s some kind of tradeoff not being advertised here.
Everyone’s talking about weight, what about weight distribution?
Does the extra capacity make up for the incresed consumption due to extra weight?
You could get the same battery capacity in a smaller and/or more aerodynamic drone body, which would make it more efficient.
Also, the battery itself could be used to supply rigidity, meaning less devoted support structures are needed.
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Yes, if battery density wasn’t enough to overpower the weight of the batteries, it would t fly to begin with.
Like, you didn’t even have to click the article or even be able to understand that, it’s me tioned in OPs summary
But they’re limited by weight, not volume. I could just sling a bigger battery underneath
Let’s assume they are talking about supercaps.
More weight and worse heat dissipation.
Great idea!/S
A weird shape is probably going to have better heat dissipation, because of the greater surface area.
More battery > more weight > more motor > more consumption > same battery lifespan
The life span is not going to stay the same. Adding more capacity yield more time in air, it’s just that the effect is not linear.
Not exactly. They are increasing energy density. So for the same mass they are providing more mAh. More charge. Equal weight. Equal motor. Equal consumption. Longer flight time.
This doesn’t really impact sUAS because they are already using pocket cells. Larger things that use jellyrolls, but need a better packing factor or would benefit from not carrying around all of those capsules and button tops are the target here
that is essentially the rocket equation: More fuel - > more weight - > more fuel needed, etc. It is a balancing act.
