On the front of the comprehension of what applications the industry is currently investing on, the development of devices and materials viable for the technology transfer all ESRs have been involved through secondment periods at the premises of the Industrial Partners, Academic partners and literature review all focusing on several technical aspects ranging from materials to devices. The optimisation of growth processes of different potential lead-free materials (BiFeO3, LiNbO3, and K1-xNaxNbO3) and their physical properties is considered by chemical methods such as CVD, spray pyrolysis, and electrospinning techniques (Fig. 2). The design/control of the deposited coatings are supported by synthesis and physico-chemical/mechanistic studies of precursors and modelling/simulation of chemical processes. The vibrational energy harvesting device, based on LN (YXl)/128° film showed resonance frequency at 105.9 Hz and power density of 976 μW/cm²/g², that is comparable to both lead and lead-free current devices (Fig. 3). Harvesters able to work at leat up to 450°C were demonstrated. Different modes of scavenging and architectures for adaptation of an Amplified Piezo Actuators (APAs®) were considered. The combination on the Pi-EM conversion effects by further developing of SSHI interface allowed to demonstrate a global converted energy gain of 40%. Wireless electromagnetic energy transfer from the harvester to the sensor, and fabrication of the complete systems including nonlinear and bistability configurations in order to validate the stable targeted output supply in real-world applications is considered, as well. The novel self-powered and battery-free device for vibration sensing based on the conversion of vibration energy to time data was proposed for reliable sensing in the acceleration range [0.6 g–1.2 g] .
The ENHANCE network is committed to prepare the ESRs to their future career. The main training categories on which the network focuses span from practical research skills to broad- based multidisciplinary training; commercial and other transferable skills will give the researchers a solid knowledge base to be leveraged in both the academic and non-academic environment. The Consortium provides, either locally or at a network level, the trainings by means of lectures, seminars, summer schools, workshops and online e-learning, and web-based tools. Six training schools open to external participants were organized by the ENHANCE network: "Introductory School", "Career Opportunities", and "Molecular engineering and advanced materials", "Piezoelectric, MEMS & Energy Harvesting", "Knowledge transfer and Patenting", "Mechatronics & Electronics". The lectures held during the Network’s training events have been live-streamed, and when made available online (on YouTube channel “ITN-ENHANCE Project” & www.itn-enhance.com).
