Panels for a cabin of an aircraft

A method for filing a gap between a panel for a cabin of an aircraft and a cabin element, the first panel comprising a laminate including a first layer of lithiated carbon fibers, a second layer of carbon fibers with a cathode lithium coating, and an electrolyte-containing separator between the first and the second layers,

• the method comprising:
• detecting whether the gap is closed between the panel and the cabin element with a pressure sensor;
• and
• applying a voltage to the laminate based on an output of the pressure sensor indicative of whether the gap is closed, wherein the voltage applied to the laminate expands the panel to close the gap.

A panel for a cabin of an aircraft, the panel includes:

• a first laminate comprising a first layer comprising lithiated carbon fibers, a second layer comprising carbon fibers coated with cathode lithium, and a first electrolyte-containing separator sandwiched between the first and the second layers;
• first set of electrical contacts attached to the first laminate and configured to apply a voltage across the first layer, the second layer and the first electrolyte-containing separator, wherein the voltage expands the panel;
• an edge of the panel facing a cabin element adjacent to the panel;
• a sensor proximate the edge of the panel and configured to sense whether the edge abuts the cabin element;
• and
• a switch and controller circuit configured to regulate the voltage applied to the first laminate depending on whether the sensor detects abutment between the edge of the panel and the cabin element.