13 May 2026
New materials move closer to faster charging
Shorter charging times and more sustainable energy systems could become possible thanks to new materials developed at Luleå University of Technology. Researchers have created metal-based materials for supercapacitors, a type of energy storage device that can be charged very quickly. The results show that the materials can withstand thousands of charging cycles and can be produced in a way that makes them relevant for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
The materials have also shown the ability to change their internal structure during operation without breaking down. This allows them to adapt to the stress that occurs during repeated charging and discharging, which is crucial if energy storage systems are to remain reliable in real-world applications.
“The materials are alive in a way. When subjected to working conditions, they change their structure to adapt to external stress without breaking. In some cases, their performance even improves over time,” says Isabella Concina, Professor of Experimental Physics at Luleå University of Technology.
Isabella Concina at work with the new materials.
Stable performance and scalability
Supercapacitors are used in technologies where rapid charging and discharging are essential, such as electrified transport and renewable energy systems connected to solar and wind power. For the technology to achieve broader impact, materials must be both durable and cost-effective to produce at scale.
Within the SUPERCAP project, the researchers demonstrated that the new electrode materials can operate for more than 2,000 charging cycles without losing capacity. They achieved around 60 percent of their original target for energy storage capacity, showing stable long-term performance.
Another important outcome is that the material composition can be fine-tuned in a simple and cost-efficient way. This increases the potential for large-scale production and makes the materials realistic candidates for future energy storage systems.
“We did not fully reach the ambitious target, but the results clearly show that the materials work and that we are on the right track. The research was so promising that we decided to continue developing them further,” says Isabella Concina.
The project received SEK 2 million in funding from the Jubilee Fund 2023. The research now continues with a focus on sustainability, recyclability and testing under more realistic operating conditions.
“These materials have the potential to function in real-world energy storage solutions if we continue developing and testing them. That is the path we are now following,” says Isabella Concina.
About the Jubilee Fund
The purpose of the Jubilee Fund is to create opportunities for more groundbreaking solutions and innovations for a sustainable future by supporting research that may otherwise be difficult to finance.
Based on Luleå University of Technology's 50th anniversary, the fund has been established with the support of foundations, individuals, companies and organizations. Through the Jubilee Fund, the university has the opportunity to invest in innovative research that can contribute to solutions to complex societal challenges.
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Isabella Concina
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