SELF-CAP · Self-powered wireless sensor node through ultrahigh performance energy storage capacitors

Wireless sensor nodes (WSN) are enablers for the Internet of Things (IoT), as they allow to collect distributed data about the environment, machine conditions, etc., even at remote locations. The key aspect for WSN is their energy-autonomy, namely perpetual operation without any external energy source. This is generally achieved by combining an energy harvesting module (e.g. solar cell) with a suitable energy storage module. Common energy storage devices for WSNs are batteries and supercapacitors, which both present challenges in terms of spike power supply and stable, long-term cyclic operation. Dielectric ceramic capacitors, owing to their high power density and cyclic stability, offer an intriguing energy storage alternative, particularly to supply power-hungry wireless transceivers within WSNs. In the parent ERC Consolidator Grant CITRES (GA 817190), we discovered a novel lead-free perovskite material (BNT-6BZT40) reaching ultra-high recoverable energy density values. Within SELF-CAP, we will produce BNT-6BZT40 prototype devices, which will be able to withstand the power spikes of common transceiver modules for WSN. SELF-CAP will also integrate the produced capacitor devices onto WSN demonstrator nodes realized from off-the-shelf components, and test both the energy-autonomous functionality and reliability of the WSNs in relevant environment. The demonstrated advantages of the capacitor devices developed in SELF-CAP will then be central to a PR campaign we will start during this project, aimed at attracting interest for funding, crowdfunding, investment and thus future commercialization of the SELF-CAP capacitors. PR activities will be documented, including the planned follow-up, and the necessary steps for IP protection will be carried out, which will also facilitate in-depth discussions with potential stakeholders.