ChalmersUniversityofTechnology
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Electric cars could store energy in their carbon fiber bodies
Electric cars typically need larger, denser batteries if they're going to meet the range expectations of people used to gas-powered vehicles, but available space and weight limit the size of that battery. Researchers might have a solution: turn the very body of the car into a battery. They've conducted a study showing that carbon fiber shells could serve as battery electrodes. The trick is to optimize the size and orientation of the fibers so there's a good balance between stiffness and the electrochemical traits needed to store energy.
3D-printed cartilage cell implants thrive in baby mice
Somewhere in Sweden, a few lab mice have human cartilage cells living and growing within their bodies. A team of researchers from Chalmers University of Technology and Sahlgrenska Academy used a CELLINK 3D bioprinter to make hydrogel out of human-derived cartilage cells. They then implanted the gels into six-week-old mice and found "something that begins to resemble cartilage" after 60 days. The researchers are working towards being able to use 3D bioprinting to create body parts for patients who need them. While they're far from achieving that goal, this particular experiment proves that it's a possibility in the future.
