Project description
Self-powered systems for smart devices
The world is rapidly filling with smart devices – sensors, wearables and other gadgets – expected to surpass 50 billion by 2030. Powering this vast network with disposable batteries or complex wiring is neither sustainable nor practical. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Auto-microGrids project will introduce self-powered systems that combine energy harvesters with micro-batteries. By capturing energy from movement and moisture in the air, these systems will provide stable, maintenance-free power. Unlike traditional methods, this approach eliminates the need for bulky components, making them ideal for real-world applications such as RFID, micro-sensors and micro-robots. The proposed platforms could transform the IoT into a more efficient and eco-friendly network.
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.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids amorphous semiconductors
- natural sciences computer and information sciences internet internet of things
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies microtechnology
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-2025-PF
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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.
WC1E 6BT London
United Kingdom
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.