Menu
MapConnectionsTopicsBulgariaThe Night (K-TRIO)Marie Skłodowska-CurieFor studentsFor teachersMethodologySurprise me
H2020Staff exchange2022–2026

INTAKE · Integrated nanocomposites for thermal and kinetic energy harvesting

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2022-09-30 → 2026-09-29
EU contribution
€575,000
Participants
11
Scheme
MSCA-RISE

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Integrated nanocomposites for thermal and kinetic energy harvesting

The INTAKE (integrated nanocomposites for thermal and kinetic energy harvesting) project will enable an international inter/multidisciplinary research collaboration, bringing together expertise from: physics, material science, mechanical engineering, electronics engineering and social science. The main research aim is to develop, for the first time, a novel nanocomposite stack that seamlessly integrates energy harvesting and sensing functionalities into fibre reinforced polymers at the nanoscale, without noticeable alterations to the physical profile or the mechanical properties of the macroscopic structural material. Unlike existing bulky and protruding harvester/sensor box solutions, the integrated nanomaterials approach will realise these functionalities at the nano/microscopic level. These novel smart structural materials can serve as fundamental building blocks across a variety of sectors including transport, energy, medical, space, utilities and infrastructure; to improve efficiency and safety, while reducing operation costs and carbon footprint. An early adopter application in wind energy, leveraging academics’ existing track record in this sector, will be showcased as a feasibility demonstrator. In a nutshell, the INTAKE vision is to infuse the inanimate building block materials around us with “eyes” and “ears”, “sewed” into its “seams”, as our technological society rapidly evolves towards an advanced information civilisation. The interdisciplinary manufacturing and social science expertise assembled within this consortium will help the network to be steered by wider socioeconomic considerations, such as sustainability and inequality, throughout research, exchange and training. Objectives: RO1 Develop a new integrated nanocomposite using graphene, zinc oxide, boron nitride and other nanomaterials in order to enable advanced transduction capabilities at a nanoscopic scale RO2 Achieve useful power output levels from kinetic and thermal energy harvesting functionalities, at a subsystem-level, to self-sustain wireless sensing capabilities RO3 Develop a mechanically robust system-level self-powered/sensing multifunctional composite RO4 Scope an environmentally and socioeconomically sustainable advanced manufacturing process for the proposed INTAKE technology in order to maximise positive impact

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

INTAKE (integrated nanocomposites for thermal and kinetic energy harvesting) is an inter/multidisciplinary research focused exchange and training programme that brings together researchers from various disciplines (engineering, physics and social science) with expertise spanning across energy harvesting, nanomaterials, micro/nanotechnology, functional composites, manufacturing and socioeconomic development. The network is specifically designed to foster an inter/multidisciplinary outlook in order to embed socioeconomic awareness and sustainability considerations within the research culture.INTAKE’s innovation vision aims to achieve a step change towards the next generation of hybrid energy harvesting nanocomposites, which can be integrated into lightweight and ultra-strong structural composites at the nanoscopic level. This would infuse composite laminates with inherent intelligent functionalities (such as energy harvesting, sensing and wireless communication), without noticeable alterations or adverse effects to the macroscopic structural properties. The resulting smart multifunctional composite material will have immense socioeconomic benefits to Europe and the world, as it can help to improve productivity and safety, while reducing operating costs and carbon footprint. This can then serve as a fundamental building block for numerous future engineering systems across the transport, energy, medical, space, utilities and infrastructure sectors. INTAKE consists of 4 European partners (in the UK, Hungary and Poland) and 4 Asian partners (in China and Japan). The network will help nurture the next generation of creative, highly skilled and socially responsible young researchers for the European innovation sectors. INTAKE will forge a mutually beneficial collaboration platform for energy harvesting, composites and nanotechnology researchers between Europe and Asia, which can be morphed into a worldwide network in the long-term.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • ASTON UNIVERSITY · BirminghamCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
  • AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR · EspooFinland
  • HUN-REN ENERGIATUDOMANYI KUTATOKOZPONT · BudapestHungary
  • HUN-REN Energiatudomanyi Kutatokozpont · BudapestHungary
  • NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION TOHOKU UNIVERSITY · SendaiJapan
  • POLITECHNIKA WROCLAWSKA · WroclawPoland
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM NINGBO · NINGBOChina
  • TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY · BEIJINGChina
  • UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER · ChesterUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS · LeedsUnited Kingdom
  • WASEDA UNIVERSITY · TokyoJapan

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union