Multitudes of researchers have exercised their mental muscles trying to make man-made products mimic naturally-occurring structures. According to University of Michigan researchers, the cartilage in your knees might provide the inspiration for a “structural battery” prototype that would be durable and easy to shape. This blog has long promoted the idea of structural batteries, energy storage systems that could double as strengthening elements in the aircraft shell. Storing energy in car bumpers or airplane wings has some risk elements. What will happen to a battery cracked by collisions on the ground or excessive loads in the air, for instance. Nicking or puncturing existing batteries can cause flaming catastrophes. As U of M researchers note, “[Structural batteries] been a long-term goal …
