Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

This three-year highly original strategic research project is concerned with the investigation and development of Emerging Sources of Renewable Energy based on efficient harvesting of ambient electromagnetic power, as well as wireless delivery of electrical power. The project is derived from the direct research outcome of the applicant's group at the École Polytechnique de Montréal in the development of high-efficiency radio-wave power harvester and wireless power transmission (WPT) as a solution targeting fundamental energy problems in connection with the powering of ICT devices and systems. A unique device called Spindiode, resulted from a recent discovery in the spin physics, will be used to develop a new low-power radio-wave energy recycling technology with knowledge on Spintronics-based power harvesting pioneered by the applicants. Special efforts will be made to investigate a mobile/wearable energy platform capable of delivering power wirelessly. This will be accomplished by properly modeling the Spindiode, choosing and optimizing component configuration, system architecture, and structure integration. This work will be coordinated with frequent exchanges, group meetings and mutual visits between the academic researchers and industrial partners for various tasks involving both theoretical and experimental aspects. The research will be conducted for discovering new technical features, new design rules, and new knowledge on Spintronics. The anticipated activities consist of device characterization and parameter extraction, architecture modeling, circuit design, experimental prototyping and system demonstration, which will create a highly visible example of Canadian research. The project focuses on fundamental research, commercial and emerging industrial needs, and timely addresses worldwide challenges in wireless energy. The research will attract, involve and train numerous highly qualified personnel for emerging wireless energy sector development. Research expertise and knowledge generated by this program will not only enhance the Canadian research profile and stimulate corporate growth of the project partners, but will have an impact on our daily energy use. This will promote a sustainable development of Canadian society.