In an effort to increase fuel efficiency, save space, and reduce the weight of mobile systems, there is an increasing need for mulitfunctionality. In particular, we are exploring the integration of energy storage into structures in a manner that is truly multifunctional - where individual material elements simultaneously carry load and store energy. In the present work, we explore the fabrication and testing of load-bearing capacitors composed of structural, fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials. We demonstrate that, through careful material choice and system design, structural capacitors with significant capacitive energy densities can be manufactured using scalable, conventional composites processing techniques.
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