The INTAKE (integrated nanocomposites for thermal and kinetic energy harvesting) project will enable an international inter/multidisciplinary research collaboration, bringing together expertise from: physics, material science, mechanical engineering, electronics engineering and social science. The main research aim is to develop, for the first time, a novel nanocomposite stack that seamlessly integrates energy harvesting and sensing functionalities into fibre reinforced polymers at the nanoscale, without noticeable alterations to the physical profile or the mechanical properties of the macroscopic structural material. Unlike existing bulky and protruding harvester/sensor box solutions, the integrated nanomaterials approach will realise these functionalities at the nano/microscopic level. These novel smart structural materials can serve as fundamental building blocks across a variety of sectors including transport, energy, medical, space, utilities and infrastructure; to improve efficiency and safety, while reducing operation costs and carbon footprint. An early adopter application in wind energy, leveraging
academics’ existing track record in this sector, will be showcased as a feasibility demonstrator.
In a nutshell, the INTAKE vision is to infuse the inanimate building block materials around us with “eyes” and “ears”, “sewed” into its “seams”, as our technological society rapidly evolves towards an advanced information civilisation. The interdisciplinary manufacturing and social science expertise assembled within this consortium will help the network to be steered by wider socioeconomic considerations, such as sustainability and inequality, throughout research, exchange and training.
Objectives:
RO1 Develop a new integrated nanocomposite using graphene, zinc oxide, boron nitride and other nanomaterials in order to enable advanced transduction capabilities at a nanoscopic scale
RO2 Achieve useful power output levels from kinetic and thermal energy harvesting functionalities, at a subsystem-level, to self-sustain wireless sensing capabilities
RO3 Develop a mechanically robust system-level self-powered/sensing multifunctional composite
RO4 Scope an environmentally and socioeconomically sustainable advanced manufacturing process for the proposed INTAKE technology in order to maximise positive impact
