Project description
Stretchable skin-like nanocomposites: a new class of thermoelectrics
Wearable technology is booming in areas spanning from consumer goods to healthcare, finance and even worker safety. As these devices become increasingly complex, their energy requirements increase. Self-powered systems using thermoelectrics to convert body heat directly into electrical energy have great potential. However, this potential is hindered by the high thermal contact resistance of current substrate materials due to their poor contact with the skin and their insulating nature. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BEST-TEC project aims to overcome these challenges with new, skin-like nanocomposites. These materials will feature high mechanical compliance and tuneable heat/electrical transport along preferential directions, enabling a tenfold increase in performance when used as a substrate for skin thermoelectric devices.
Objective
As the world is rapidly adopting wearable technology, the demand for efficient, self-powering devices is becoming increasingly critical. Thermoelectrics (TEs) are important because they can convert body heat directly into electrical energy to power wearable electronics and enable efficient on-skin heating/cooling for applications such as skin thermoregulation. Existing wearable TE devices inevitably face reduced energy conversion efficiency due to 1) high contact thermal resistance at the interface between the substrate and the skin due to non-conformal contact and poor attachment; 2) high parasitic thermal resistance across the substrate, which is typically a thermally insulating flexible polymer; and 3) high electrical contact resistance between the TE legs and their interconnects due to a poor electromechanical interface. In BEST-TEC, I target a 3-in-1 solution to these challenges by proposing novel skin-like nanocomposites with high mechanical compliance and tunable heat/electrical transport across preferential directions. Used as a substrate for skin thermoelectric (sTE) devices, these nanocomposites will result in a tenfold increase in performance.
BEST-TEC is innovative because while most sTE research to date has focused on the development of new materials and device architectures, BEST-TEC addresses a largely overlooked aspect that is currently holding back device performance - the substrate and its interfaces. The project is timely because it will enable new wearable biomedical devices, needed more than ever in our aging population. As the project lead, I possess a robust background in wearables, nanotechnology, and device engineering. My customized devices have been used on diverse surfaces, such as marine animals and human skin, new racing cars, and drones, underscoring my ability to deliver versatile impactful solutions. With an understanding of the challenges faced by sTE devices, I aim to pioneer the advancement of the field.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences internet internet of things
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- engineering and technology materials engineering nanocomposites
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels energy conversion
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3000 LEUVEN
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.