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High-energy-density on-chip zinc-air batteries

Objective

The advent of smart dust, minuscule autonomous devices capable of sensing, processing, and transmitting data, has opened new frontiers in medicine, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. However, their operation is significantly constrained by the limitations of existing power sources, particularly in terms of energy density and footprint, as was highlighted by the host [Nature, 2021, 589, 195]. This research proposal aims to address these challenges by developing a novel microbattery technology based on zinc-air chemistry. We propose a micro-origami approach to fabricate high-capacity, dust-sized zinc-air microbatteries. This method involves folding large-area thin films into three-dimensional (3D) structures by a micro-origami self-assembly method, significantly enhancing volumetric energy density while maintaining a compact footprint. By leveraging the abundant oxygen in the environment, the air cathode eliminates the need for onboard material storage, further improving energy efficiency. The core goal is to develop an on-chip microbattery with a footprint capacity exceeding 5 mAh/cm2 and a size under 1 mm2. To overcome the inherent challenges associated with zinc-air batteries, such as corrosion, bubble formation, and three-phase interface construction, we will combine detailed mechanism study with realistic numerical model to optimize electrode wettability, electrolyte composition, and cell configuration. Additionally, we will explore the integration of these microbatteries with various smart dust microsystems for demonstration. By achieving these goals, we can provide a reliable and high-performance power source for a wide range of smart dust applications, including environmental and agriculture monitoring, healthcare, and industrial automation. The successful development of this novel microbattery will have a profound impact on the field of microsystems and pave the way for the realization of advanced intelligent devices with unprecedented capabilities.

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Topic(s)

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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

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET CHEMNITZ
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.

€ 217 965,12
Address
STRASSE DER NATIONEN 62
09111 Chemnitz
Germany

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Region
Sachsen Chemnitz Chemnitz
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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