Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SUINK (SUstainable self-charging power systems developed by INKjet printing)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2023-12-31
The next generation of functional electronics must incorporate new sustainable design (reduce CRM), manufacturing (energy-efficient processes), use and end-of-life techniques (eco-design principles) that are scalable, safer, cheaper, cleaner and less energy consuming.
In this context, the main objective of SUINK is to design and implement sustainable, flexible and printable self-charging power systems (SCPS) able to supply power to a wide range of sensors. This SCPS will be formed by sustainable elements: (1) a piezoelectric energy generator to harvest electrical energy from mechanical vibrations, (2) a rectifying system as a connection circuit with (3) a supercapacitor (SC) as energy storage component.
The overall solution will be based on the proper combination of biobased conductive, dielectric and piezoelectric inks that will be applied by inkjet printing. The printed substrates will be implemented in textile, thermoplastic polymers, and thermoset composites. the full SCPS will be validated for its use in the automotive sector feeding temperature, humidity and strain sensors.
In this context, the main objective of SUINK is to design and implement sustainable, flexible and printable self-charging power systems (SCPS) able to supply power to a wide range of sensors. This SCPS will be formed by sustainable elements: (1) a piezoelectric energy generator to harvest electrical energy from mechanical vibrations, (2) a rectifying system as a connection circuit with (3) a supercapacitor (SC) as energy storage component.
The overall solution will be based on the proper combination of biobased conductive, dielectric and piezoelectric inks that will be applied by inkjet printing. The printed substrates will be implemented in textile, thermoplastic polymers, and thermoset composites. the full SCPS will be validated for its use in the automotive sector feeding temperature, humidity and strain sensors.
The WP1 has the objective of defining the product specifications and functionality related to the prototype test cases, included the flexible printed electronic system parts, materials, processes of integration. This was duly down and reported in D1.1 together with the preliminary design of each use case.
The WP2 started doing a state of the art which it became in a publication of a Review. In this WP 3 types of inks are developing:
- Conductive inks: PEDOT:K-Carrageenan dispersions have been synthesized. In order to adjust the surface tension of the PEDOT:K-Carrageenan to do suitable for the inkjet printer and analyse the compatibility with other compounds, a screening of solvents was carried out. In the same way, a screening of carbonaceous materials were done selecting Porous Carbon Nanopowders that come from plants.
- Dielectric inks: Cellulose nanocrystals CNC-DS has been selected as the dielectric material for the formulation of dielectric inks, with an optimized concentration of 1%wt. The cellulose-based ink has a capacitance of 200pF at a frequency of 20 Hz.
- Piezoelectric PLA inks: Different approaches including solvent based inks, dispersion-based inks, and emulsion-based inks have been used for the development of PLA based inks. However, an ink deposited by printing does not have such properties from itself and needs orienting by either stretching or poling. Poling is expected to be the best method for these inks and will be tested in the project
The WP3 activies carried out are:
- PEHs production using extrusion-orientation techniques: PLA films with adequate dimensions were first produced by a pilot-scale extrusion-calendaring process and films were fully characterized. Orientation-annealing experiments were first attempted on a lab-scale batch technique The best properties were obtained with high annealing temperatures (130°C) and interesting piezoelectric coefficients up to 10 pC/N were measured. Moreover, as-produced films are thermally-stabilized up to 110°C at least. These films are good candidates for SUINK studies.
- PEHs production using ink-based techniques: Preliminary experiments indicated that current PLA inks do not display interesting ferroelectric properties. Alternative solutions based on PLA - barium titanate (BT) inks are considered. A robust ink-based technique (direct ink writing technique) is also inspected for easy production of multi-stack PEHs. Based on WP2 results, current activities are focussed on the optimisation of the BT dispersion into a sustainable PLA.
The work of WP4 aim to find a suitable substrate material, PLA, PHB and PHBV films, as well as an aluminium-coated PET film as a reference material, have been studied. TAU tested the PLA supplied by CTB by printing the commercially available graphite ink. The other substrates, such as PHB and PHBV, are currently in the synthesis stage, and their potential applications will also be studied as substrates.
For electrode materials, PEDOT: PSS was mentioned in the plan. It was found from the literature that heterogeneous electrical and morphological characteristics of PEDOT: PSS may contribute to inadequate long-term stability, leading to material degradation over time. Hence, composite materials comprising bioderived quinones, either doped or grafted onto activated carbon (AC) through physical or chemical means are proposed for utilization as an electrode material.
The energy harvester system follows a harvest-store-use architecture. Different components are investigated and compared for the implementation.
IN WP6,It created a logo and a visual identity, produced a series of project’s promotion material (roll-up, brochures), and created the online communication channels (website and social media account).
Concerning exploitation activities, the project’s key exploitable results has been defined, clarifying the joint ownerships and specifying individual exploitation routes for each partner.
In, WP7 the activities carried out are:
- 1st Circular Design Scoping Workshop:The purpose was to introduce the SUINK project strategic sustainability goals, get to know Circular Design (CE) key principles, prepare team’s sustainable design challenges, and form mutual understanding of the project mission.
- 2nd Circular Economy evaluation matrix
Circular Economy evaluation matrix first version with Initial Technical research, URS, FRS and tentative PDS tools.
The WP2 started doing a state of the art which it became in a publication of a Review. In this WP 3 types of inks are developing:
- Conductive inks: PEDOT:K-Carrageenan dispersions have been synthesized. In order to adjust the surface tension of the PEDOT:K-Carrageenan to do suitable for the inkjet printer and analyse the compatibility with other compounds, a screening of solvents was carried out. In the same way, a screening of carbonaceous materials were done selecting Porous Carbon Nanopowders that come from plants.
- Dielectric inks: Cellulose nanocrystals CNC-DS has been selected as the dielectric material for the formulation of dielectric inks, with an optimized concentration of 1%wt. The cellulose-based ink has a capacitance of 200pF at a frequency of 20 Hz.
- Piezoelectric PLA inks: Different approaches including solvent based inks, dispersion-based inks, and emulsion-based inks have been used for the development of PLA based inks. However, an ink deposited by printing does not have such properties from itself and needs orienting by either stretching or poling. Poling is expected to be the best method for these inks and will be tested in the project
The WP3 activies carried out are:
- PEHs production using extrusion-orientation techniques: PLA films with adequate dimensions were first produced by a pilot-scale extrusion-calendaring process and films were fully characterized. Orientation-annealing experiments were first attempted on a lab-scale batch technique The best properties were obtained with high annealing temperatures (130°C) and interesting piezoelectric coefficients up to 10 pC/N were measured. Moreover, as-produced films are thermally-stabilized up to 110°C at least. These films are good candidates for SUINK studies.
- PEHs production using ink-based techniques: Preliminary experiments indicated that current PLA inks do not display interesting ferroelectric properties. Alternative solutions based on PLA - barium titanate (BT) inks are considered. A robust ink-based technique (direct ink writing technique) is also inspected for easy production of multi-stack PEHs. Based on WP2 results, current activities are focussed on the optimisation of the BT dispersion into a sustainable PLA.
The work of WP4 aim to find a suitable substrate material, PLA, PHB and PHBV films, as well as an aluminium-coated PET film as a reference material, have been studied. TAU tested the PLA supplied by CTB by printing the commercially available graphite ink. The other substrates, such as PHB and PHBV, are currently in the synthesis stage, and their potential applications will also be studied as substrates.
For electrode materials, PEDOT: PSS was mentioned in the plan. It was found from the literature that heterogeneous electrical and morphological characteristics of PEDOT: PSS may contribute to inadequate long-term stability, leading to material degradation over time. Hence, composite materials comprising bioderived quinones, either doped or grafted onto activated carbon (AC) through physical or chemical means are proposed for utilization as an electrode material.
The energy harvester system follows a harvest-store-use architecture. Different components are investigated and compared for the implementation.
IN WP6,It created a logo and a visual identity, produced a series of project’s promotion material (roll-up, brochures), and created the online communication channels (website and social media account).
Concerning exploitation activities, the project’s key exploitable results has been defined, clarifying the joint ownerships and specifying individual exploitation routes for each partner.
In, WP7 the activities carried out are:
- 1st Circular Design Scoping Workshop:The purpose was to introduce the SUINK project strategic sustainability goals, get to know Circular Design (CE) key principles, prepare team’s sustainable design challenges, and form mutual understanding of the project mission.
- 2nd Circular Economy evaluation matrix
Circular Economy evaluation matrix first version with Initial Technical research, URS, FRS and tentative PDS tools.
WP1:The UCs’ specifications, targets, and testing methodology were defined.
The current production and benchmark devices were also reported, the product qualification standards were identified, the conceptual designs of the SUINK devices were carried out.
WP2: The inks are currently developing. The first article of the project has been published: "A Review on sustainable inks for printed electronics: Materials for conductive, dielectric and piezoelectric sustainable inks"
WP3:Sustainable piezoelectric films (from biosourced and easy-to-recycle materials without toxic / critical elements) produced by a cost-effective, solvent-free and energy-efficient MDO technique at pilot-scale with enhanced performances compared to previous results.
Expected results: Sustainable PEHs fabricated from above materials and techniques with electromecanical performances matching automotive needs to power low-power IoT sensors without batteries.
WP4:The main results thus far include the selection of electrode and electrolyte materials for supercapacitors from the literature. Additionally, potential substrate materials for supercapacitors have been identified.
WP6:Communication, dissemination and exploitation activities have been set out in the plan drafted at M6 of the project and updated at M16.
When it comes to exploitation activities, the project is progressing according to the timeline defined in the GA. The Key exploitable results have been defined and characterized with each partner.
According to the intermediate version of the exploitation plan, SUINK project will produce a total of 6 key exploitable results including four results where patenting is foreseen and 1 result is planned to be directly commercialized.
WP7:The initial analysis on the demonstrator or chosen demonstrators will be delivered at M32 with 2nd version of the Circular Economy evaluation matrix.
The current production and benchmark devices were also reported, the product qualification standards were identified, the conceptual designs of the SUINK devices were carried out.
WP2: The inks are currently developing. The first article of the project has been published: "A Review on sustainable inks for printed electronics: Materials for conductive, dielectric and piezoelectric sustainable inks"
WP3:Sustainable piezoelectric films (from biosourced and easy-to-recycle materials without toxic / critical elements) produced by a cost-effective, solvent-free and energy-efficient MDO technique at pilot-scale with enhanced performances compared to previous results.
Expected results: Sustainable PEHs fabricated from above materials and techniques with electromecanical performances matching automotive needs to power low-power IoT sensors without batteries.
WP4:The main results thus far include the selection of electrode and electrolyte materials for supercapacitors from the literature. Additionally, potential substrate materials for supercapacitors have been identified.
WP6:Communication, dissemination and exploitation activities have been set out in the plan drafted at M6 of the project and updated at M16.
When it comes to exploitation activities, the project is progressing according to the timeline defined in the GA. The Key exploitable results have been defined and characterized with each partner.
According to the intermediate version of the exploitation plan, SUINK project will produce a total of 6 key exploitable results including four results where patenting is foreseen and 1 result is planned to be directly commercialized.
WP7:The initial analysis on the demonstrator or chosen demonstrators will be delivered at M32 with 2nd version of the Circular Economy evaluation matrix.