Integration of lithium‐ion batteries into fiber‐polymer composite structures so as to simultaneously carry mechanical loads and store electrical energy offer great potential to reduce the overall system weight. Herein, recent progresses in integration methods for achieving high mechanical efficiencies of embedding commercial lithium‐ion batteries inside composite materials are reviewed. The manufacturing techniques used to fabricate energy storage structural composites are discussed together with a comparison of their mechanical properties, energy storage capacity, and electrical performance. The mechanical performance of energy storage composites containing lithium‐ion batteries depends on many factors, including manufacturing method, materials used, structural design, and bonding between the structure and the integrated batteries. Energy storage composites with integrated lithium‐ion pouch batteries generally achieve a superior balance between mechanical performance and energy density compared to other commercial battery systems. Potential applications are presented for energy storage composites containing integrated lithium‐ion batteries including automotive, aircraft, spacecraft, marine and sports equipment. Opportunities and challenges in fabrication methods, mechanical characterizations, trade‐offs in engineering design, safety, and battery subcomponents are also discussed.

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Polymer matrix composite materials have the capacity to aid the indirect transmission of viral diseases. Published research shows that respiratory viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2 or COVID‐19), can attach to polymer substrata as a result of being contacted by airborne droplets resulting from infected people sneezing or coughing in close proximity. Polymer matrix composites are used to produce a wide range of products that are “high‐touch” surfaces, such as sporting goods, laptop computers and household fittings, and these surfaces can be readily contaminated by pathogens. This article reviews published research on the retention of SARS‐CoV‐2 and other virus types on plastics. The factors controlling the viral retention time on plastic surfaces are examined and the implications for viral retention on polymer composite materials are discussed. Potential strategies that can be used to impart antiviral properties to polymer composite surfaces are evaluated. These strategies include modification of the surface composition with biocidal agents (e.g., antiviral polymers and nanoparticles) and surface nanotexturing. The potential application of these surface modification strategies in the creation of antiviral polymer composite surfaces is discussed, which opens up an exciting new field of research for composite materials.

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