Design of a Multi-functional Energy Storage Composite Electric Skateboard

Abstract

In previous work a multi-functional energy storage composite (MESC) battery has been developed by integrating Lithium-ion batteries into a carbon fiber sandwich structure. Presented here is the first complete system level design of an MESC battery application, demonstrating an improvement in specific energy over a commercially available electric skateboard. Finite element analysis of the design has been validated by mechanical testing within 3% error. The complex modeling of the interactions between the battery core and carbon fiber sandwich is discussed. Integrated piezoelectric sensors provide battery state of charge (SoC) estimation with 98% accuracy through novel ultrasonic guided wave propagation while strain gauges and temperature sensors track battery swelling and heat generation respectively to provide full battery state awareness. Details of the design process are included for completeness.