SUINK (SUstainable self-charging power systems developed by INKjet printing) is a Horizon Europe research and innovation project aiming to design and implement sustainable, flexible and printable self-charging power systems to supply power to a wide range of sensors for the automotive industry.

It aims to develop green solutions to produce innovative sensors able to create their own energy rather than needing electricity from the vehicle’s battery. These self-charging power systems will be based on the combination of biobased, conductive, dielectric and piezoelectric inks that will be applied by inkjet printing on biobased flexible surfaces. They will harvest electrical energy from mechanical vibrations.

The project follows circular principles from design to the end-of-life of products, implementing new recyclability and reusability protocols. Further applications will include the development of a new recyclable energy-harvesting textile material to be used in vehicles’ interiors.

As the SUINK project enters its final year, it is ready to showcase its innovative, sustainable and flexible solutions designed to support the development and testing of autonomous sensors in the automotive sector. It will therefore be holding three webinars.

The second of these will focus on two core technological solutions: a printed, recyclable piezoelectric harvesting system designed to harvest electrical energy from mechanical vibrations, and a printed bio-based supercapacitor for energy storage. To conclude, it will present the implementation of the SUINK self-charging power system (SCSP), which integrates these two elements with a power conditioning unit. The power system is currently being tested in various automotive industry demonstrators for temperature, humidity and strain sensors.

This webinar will take place at 10.00-11.45 CET on 10 March. It will be in English. Registration and programme.