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Energy-Autonomous Microgrids: Integrated DC Energy Scavenging and On-Chip Micro-batteries for Self-Sustained Smart Electronics

Objective

Artificial intelligence now depends on continuous, real-time data from vast IoT networks (microsensors, RFID, wearables, smart infrastructure). With >50 billion devices projected by 2030, disposable batteries and wiring are neither sustainable nor operationally manageable. Prior self-powered schemes pairing piezoelectric/triboelectric harvesters with micro-supercapacitors often yield irregular AC, high impedance and rapid self-discharge, forcing rectifiers/PMICs and undermining long-term operation. This Global Fellowship will deliver the first Autonomous-µGrids: a fully printed, monolithically integrated platform that directly couples DC tribovoltaic and moisture-electric generators with on-chip Zn//I2 micro-batteries to supply stable, maintenance-free power without external rectification or bulky power management. The research is organised into four objectives : (i) fabricate on-chip, high-performance Zn//I2 MBs; (ii) design scalable, low-impedance DC harvesters (tribovoltaic, moisture-electric) that capture ambient energy, including human micromotions, under real conditions; (iii) realise a monolithic platform via impedance/output matching to eliminate lossy stages; (iv) validate by powering commercial ultra-low-power micro-IoT (RFID, microsensors, microrobots). The approach combines printed Au interdigitated collectors on PET/Kapton, micro-plotter deposition of Zn and cathode inks, and printable MEG/tribovoltaic layers engineered for high output and environmental robustness. This fellowship will move self-powered IoT from lab prototypes to deployable infrastructure, establishing a generalisable, maintenance-free power platform for next-generation autonomous electronics.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 276 187,92
Address
GOWER STREET
WC1E 6BT London
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — West Camden and City of London
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

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