Integration of innovative micro-devices for electrical energy storage and harvesting – MIDISTOCK

This project will focus on the influence of the miniaturization on the electrochemical properties of micro-supercapacitors, and concomitantly on different electrolytes and electrodes based on different charge storage mechanism (capacitive, pseudo-capacitive), nano-structuration and surface functionalization. Based on these results, we will focus on fully encapsulated components and on the validation of a prototype in a WSN node.

Our objective is to realize integrated micro-supercapacitors with a complete range of properties (temperature range, stability, potential range, energy, power, lifetime…) to meet the specifications of a wide range of self-powered applications and Wireless Sensors Networks (WSN).

The implementation of an efficient and inexhaustible micro-source of energy (combining an energy-harvesting and a long-lasting energy-storage micro-device) will deeply impact the development of autonomous Wireless Sensors Networks (WSN) and embedded Microsystems in many applications such as transport, home automation, medicine, environment and security.

• D. Pech, M. Brunet, T.M. Dinh, K. Armstrong, J. Gaudet, D. Guay, Journal of Power Sources Accepted.

• K. Armstrong, T.M. Dinh, D. Pech, M. Brunet, J. Gaudet, D. Guay, MRS Fall Meeting 2012, Boston (USA), 25-30 novembre 2012.

• K. Armstrong, J. Gaudet, M. Brunet, D. Guay, D. Pech, ISEE’Cap11, Poznan (Pologne), 12-16 juin 2011

We propose with MIDISTOCK project to develop innovative electrical energy storage micro-devices integrated on silicon with dramatically improved energy and power density, and quasi-illimited lifetime. It is an interdisciplinary project which involves micro- and nano-technologies, materials science, and electrochemistry.
The dimensions of a micro-scale system characterized by a high surface-to-volume ratio give an advantage over conventional electrochemical devices in terms of higher volumetric energy and power densities due to significantly reduced ohmic losses, better impregnation by the electrolyte, higher accessibilities, and reduced dimensions of inactive materials. Major scientific breakthroughs in the performance of harvesting energy micro-storage devices and new insights in charge storage mechanism are therefore expected
This project will focus on the influence of the miniaturization on the electrochemical properties of micro-supercapacitors, and concomitantly on different electrolytes and electrodes based on different charge storage mechanism (capacitive, pseudo-capacitive), nano-structuration and surface functionalization. Our objective is to realize integrated micro-supercapacitors with a complete range of properties (temperature range, stability, potential range, energy, power, lifetime…) to meet the specifications of a wide range of self-powered applications and Wireless Sensors Networks (WSN). An asymmetric hybrid micro-device, combining a capacitive and a pseudo-capacitive electrode, will be ultimately investigated in order to combine the characteristics of both electrodes, and obtain a device with enhanced performances. Based on these results, we will focus on fully encapsulated components and on the validation of a prototype in a WSN node.
The implementation of an efficient and inexhaustible micro-source of energy (combining an energy-harvesting and a long-lasting energy-storage micro-device) will deeply impact the development of autonomous Wireless Sensors Networks (WSN) and embedded Microsystems in many applications such as transport, home automation, medicine, environment and security.