Systems and Transducers for Energy Harvesting from Renewables

The specific objectives are functional to the professional figure that the course aims to address, that of the expert in the field of energy harvesting devices from conventional and also  unconventional environmental sources. The “smart” context concerns the possibility of assisting other functions of interest in the engineering field, including the possibility of measuring physical quantities of interest. Different fields of application will be considered with particular emphasis on electrical machines, power systems, industrial architectures.

 

Detailed Course Content

Unit 1. Introduction

Energy harvesting, conventional and unconventional environmental sources, application areas.

Unit 2. Transduction systems

Materials, technologies and transduction mechanisms in energy harvesters from external sources (eg vibrations, noisy environments, thermal gradients, light sources, moving fluids, etc.).

Unit 3. Metrics and performance

Metrological characteristics of interest for estimating performance in energy harvesters. Metrological characterization.

Unit 4. Energy harvesting from periodic sources

Linear dynamical systems, conversion mechanisms, efficiency. Sources and waveforms. Design, modeling and simulation. Case studies: 50 Hz sources, electromechanical systems, power systems and electrical network.

Unit 5. Energy harvesting from random sources

Nonlinear dynamical systems, role of nonlinearities and efficiency. Sources and waveforms. Design, modeling and simulation. Case studies: noisy industrial vibration sources, noisy environments and induced signals.

Unit 6. Scaling

Energy harvesting in macro/micro and nano-metric scale. Processes, materials and fabrication. Design, modeling and simulation. Performance.

Unit 7. Conditioning circuits

Classic solutions. Innovative approaches for energy harvesting from vibrations, including random and low amplitude diode-less solutions and converters. Zero‑standby methods. Coupled systems for signal conditioning.

Unit 8. Autonomous and quasi-autonomous measurement systems

Characteristics of measurement systems and autonomous or quasi-autonomous nodes. Smart energy harvesting for sensing and scavenging. Design criteria.

Unit 9. Energy harvesting systems based on innovative materials/solutions

Hybrid solutions, multi-source energy harvesting, multifunctional materials.

Unit 10. Green energy harvesters

Materials, structures and principles for the realization of eco-friendly and biodegradable transducers. Realization processes, design and characterization. Linear and nonlinear systems based on bacterial cellulose for energy harvesting from vibrations. Sensors based on plants (Living sensors) and conversion mechanisms based on chemo-electrical principles.

Unit 11. Laboratory

Validation of the theoretical concepts. Design/implementation/characterization of energy harvesters and intelligent measurement devices in the context of electrical systems and industrial architectures.

 

  • Basic principles of sensors, transducers, and measurements
  • English language proficiency
  • Study Level: Master’s and Doctoral

Study Level: Master, PhD

  • Submit your application via the button ‘Apply Now’.
  • Please keep in mind that the number of participants could be limited for each course. Application does not guarantee enrolment in the course.
  • The course participants will be selected based on criteria specified in the study guide.
  • Your home university will inform you whether you have been accepted and provide further information about the next steps.

Specific instructions in some universities:

  • BTU students: a Learning Agreement must be completed in advance in coordination with your departmental advisor. Please contact your examination office and study programme coordinator in good time once you are accepted for the courses you would like to attend. For any other questions you can contact: eunice@b-tu.de
  • UPHF students: make sure to ask the approval of your director of studies (responsable pédagogique) before applying. For any question, you can contact the EUNICE office: eunice@uphf.fr
  • UoP students: for questions about enrolment and recognition please consult  the responsible person at your university (Director of Studies or ECTS coordinator) or contact eunice@go.uop.gr
  • IPV students: for questions about enrolment and recognition, please contact rafaela.silva@sc.ipv.pt
  • UNICT students: for questions about enrolment please contact eunice@unict.it and for recognition please consult this site.

Any questions about enrolment or credit recognition? Contact your EUNICE courses coordinator.

Empowering a sustainable future through innovative electrical engineering and renewable energy solutions

Study Level
Master, PhD
Applications deadline
1 July 2025
Dates
10 October - 16 January, 2026
Mode
Online live / Onsite