Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1322: Micro Energy Harvesting
Subject Area
Systems Engineering
Term
from 2006 to 2015
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 13001660
Today, distributed embedded microsystems are found in a rapidly growing number in almost every area of our daily life. Modern technologies of microfabrication and system integration deliver small, highly autonomous and ubiquituous systems with multiple applications. Distributed sensor networks, decentralised systems for medical diagnosis and distributed systems in building automation, or the latest products of the so-called "smart label" technologies are a few examples of this highly dynamic development.
The application of distributed microsystems depends on a reliable and durable decentralised energy supply. Research and Development is still in its beginnings in this exceptionally important area. The existing supply concepts are based on exhaustible energy storage (batteries, fuel tanks) or power grids. They are error prone, maintenance intensive, limited to certain applications and, therefore, not feasible in many cases for various technical, economic and ecological reasons.
The focus of the Research Training Group is on the development of scientific basics, technical concepts and practical applications of "Micro Energy Harvesting". As an alternative to batteries or power grids, the energy supply for an embedded microsystem is gained from its ambient via a suitable conversion mechanism. Further areas of research are energy storage concepts and methods for an efficient management of the converted energy.
The Research Training Group is hosted at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) and the Freiburg Materials Research Centre (FMF), both part of the Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (FhG-ISE) is an associated partner.
In total, 21 projects will study methods for energy conversion from mechanical, thermal, chemical and optical energy, hydrogen-based energy storage and microelectronic energy management. The Research Training Group will host 16 DFG-funded PhD students and five PhD students funded by industry.
The application of distributed microsystems depends on a reliable and durable decentralised energy supply. Research and Development is still in its beginnings in this exceptionally important area. The existing supply concepts are based on exhaustible energy storage (batteries, fuel tanks) or power grids. They are error prone, maintenance intensive, limited to certain applications and, therefore, not feasible in many cases for various technical, economic and ecological reasons.
The focus of the Research Training Group is on the development of scientific basics, technical concepts and practical applications of "Micro Energy Harvesting". As an alternative to batteries or power grids, the energy supply for an embedded microsystem is gained from its ambient via a suitable conversion mechanism. Further areas of research are energy storage concepts and methods for an efficient management of the converted energy.
The Research Training Group is hosted at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) and the Freiburg Materials Research Centre (FMF), both part of the Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (FhG-ISE) is an associated partner.
In total, 21 projects will study methods for energy conversion from mechanical, thermal, chemical and optical energy, hydrogen-based energy storage and microelectronic energy management. The Research Training Group will host 16 DFG-funded PhD students and five PhD students funded by industry.
DFG Programme
Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Spokesperson
Professor Dr.-Ing. Peter Woias
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Oliver Ambacher; Professor Dr. Johannes Gescher; Professor Dr.-Ing. Thomas Hanemann; Professor Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Haußelt; Professor Dr. Jan Gerrit Korvink; Dr. Michael Krüger; Professor Dr.-Ing. Yiannos Manoli; Professor Dr.-Ing. Claas Müller; Professor Dr. Oliver Paul; Professor Dr. Leonhard Michael Reindl; Professor Dr. Holger Reinecke; Professor Dr. Jürgen Rühe; Professor Dr.-Ing. Gerald A. Urban; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Ulrike Wallrabe; Professor Dr.-Ing. Roland Zengerle
