Materials, components and characterization of energy harvesters for self-powered electronics

Energy harvesting, the collection of small amounts of energy from the environment to power devices, can help solve the global energy challenge without depleting natural resources. Piezoelectric, multiferroic, photovoltaic, thermoelectric and electromagnetic are some examples of materials that transduce energy from one to another. The implementation of these materials has notably prompted a shift in the design approach of electronic systems towards the goals of miniaturization, multi-functionality, high levels of integration, light weight and self-powered.

This symposium will address current challenges and strategies in materials synthesis and micro-/nanofabrication technology, device integration and advanced characterization with special emphasis on energy generation for self-powered electronics.

Hot topics to be covered by the symposium:

• Synthesis and fabrication of nanomaterials and nanostructures (including ALD/CVD, solution processing, sputtering, plasma)
• Fundamental physics of energy conversion/harvesting systems based on mechanical energy, thermal energy, chemical energy, solar energy
• Atomic scale (structure, chemical, electrical, optical) characterization
• Multisource energy harvesting
• Flexible, portable, wearable devices
• Energy-efficient emerging memory technology
• Power challenges in emerging devices
• Applications in IoT, AI

Confirmed invited speakers:

• Yang Bai, University of Oulu, Finland “Band gap engineering of piezoelectrics for multi-energy harvesting - Tricks, lessons, and opportunities”
• Mari Napari, University of Southampton, UK “Atomic layer deposition for emerging energy scavenging  technologies in low-power electronics”
• Marina Freitag, Newcastle University, UK, “Zombie Solar Cells for Ambient Applications"
• Naoufal Bahlawane, LIST, Luxembourg “Hybrid ALD-CVD processing of tailored nanocomposite coatings for energy applications”
• Inkyu Park, KAIST, Korea “Micro/nano-engineered, self-powered physical/chemical sensors for smart IoT”
• Sohini Kar-Narayan, University of Cambridge, UK,"Materials-related Strategies for Highly Efficient Triboelectric Energy Generators"

Publication:

Selected papers will be published in a special issue of Applied Research (Wiley).