Development of multifunctional materials with power storage and structural capabilities poses many challenges, of which the formulation of a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) with adhesive like properties may be the greatest. This is due to the targeted properties of the SPE, i.e. high ionic mobility combined with high mechanical strength and good adherence to multiple substrates, which are all mostly divergent. To date, gel electrolytes have been used to prove the feasibility of power storage flexible materials. However, mechanically, these materials do not exhibit notable properties. This presentation will discuss the development process and electrochemical and mechanical properties of a PEG based SPE and highlight the remaining challenges to be surmounted for the successful development of a true structural composite material with power storage capabilities.
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