QAZAQ GREEN.  Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created advanced carbon-cement supercapacitors that could transform concrete structures into large-scale energy storage systems. The new electron-conducting carbon concrete (ec³) combines cement, water, nanocarbon, and electrolytes to form a conductive network within concrete.

According to a new PNAS publication, optimized electrolytes boosted ec³’s storage capacity by a factor of 10. While in 2023 powering an average home for a day required 45 cubic meters of ec³, the improved system now needs just 5 cubic meters — roughly the volume of a basement wall. A single cubic meter can store more than 2 kWh of energy.

The technology points to the potential of “multifunctional concrete” that integrates energy storage, load-bearing capacity, and structural health monitoring. MIT prototypes demonstrated arches and slabs that both support weight and power devices.

Researchers emphasize that ec³ could be deployed in buildings, infrastructure, and roadways, while supporting renewable energy integration.