The mission of the Energy Harvesting and Autonomous Sensors group is to develop low power sensors as well as energy harvesting systems by exploiting low-cost technologies aiming to the design of autonomous systems for Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications. Furthermore, the group evaluates suitable technologies for large area energy scavenging for medium power energy applications.

To achieve its mission the group’s research unfolds in two directions:

a) Exploitation of low cost, environmentally friendly, biocompatible techniques for the synthesis of materials for sensing and energy harvesting applications. Hydrothermal, low temperature processing is used for the growth of nanostructured materials, including ZnO nanowires, ZnO nanowire arrays, 3D ZnO networks and Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs). In addition, porous materials, including Porous Silicon and Porous Alumina, are fabricated using electrochemical techniques as templates for devices and sensors.

b) Development of energy harvesting systems and low power sensors for IoT applications. Silicon sensors as well as sensors on flexible substrates are developed for environmental monitoring, safety and security and medical applications. Mechanical energy harvesters (triboelectric and piezoelectric) as well as thermoelectric generators are utilized for self-powered electronic devices. 

Main Scientific Directions

• Exploitation of low cost, biocompatible and environmentally friendly material synthesis technologies for sensing and energy harvesting materials (based mainly on ZnO nanostructures and Carbon Quantum Dots).

• Development of environmentally friendly, biocompatible energy storage systems based on Porous Silicon technology.

• Design and development of multi-energy harvesting systems (triboelectric, piezoelectric, solar, hybrid systems).

• Design and development of low power sensors on silicon and flexible substrates.• Integration of energy harvesters and sensors for self-powered systems for IoT applications, especially in the field of personalized healthcare, safety and security and smart cities.