Development and integration of an antenna for RF energy harvesting

internationally recognized for the quality of its research, is a leading general engineering school under the authority of the Ministry of Industry and Digital Technologies, ranked in the 3 main international rankings (THE, SHANGAI, QS). With three campuses in Brest, Nantes and Rennes, IMT Atlantique aims to combine digital technology and energy to transform society and industry through training, research and innovation.

The Optics teaching and research department is located on the Brest site and covers several research areas. Among them is the CAI² group which develops sensors for health and environmental applications. This can be performed using flexible substrates, organic materials and innovative structuring technologies available through the ARAGO platform.

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/sites/default/files/recherche/plateformes/arago.pdf

The decrease in power consumption of electronic components has enabled the development of wireless devices. An interesting application concerns IoT connected sensor networks. Wireless sensors allow to collect different data such as temperature, pressure, or humidity, and are used in various domains such as intelligent surveillance systems, home automation, medical or military applications. Today, these sensors are mainly powered by batteries, which implies a limited life span and sometimes a complicated replacement. A promising process consists in recovering the energy available in the ambient environment of these microsystems.

Within the framework of an eco-design project in partnership with an ETI specialized in IoT, we propose to explore solutions for the integration of radio-frequency energy recovery devices. Several technological solutions will be considered by developing additive manufacturing processes (screen printing) with conductive inks on memory shape substrates. In this context, you will work on the integration of the receiving antenna for the RF energy harvester within the research teams of IMT Atlantique.

Our approach of fabrication enables the realization of 3-D shapes for a discrete integration depending on the applicative context.  The successful candidate will contribute to the study, design and fabrication of metalic layers, onto 3D printed shape memory polymeric materials. 

To fulfil the tasks assigned by IMT Atlantique in this project, the selected student’s tasks will include:

• Antenna and RF circuits  Simulations using HFSS ADS CST
• Characterization of material properties,
• Serigraphy of conductive layers,
• Characterization of shape recovery after deposition of conductive layers,
• Characterization of rectenna,
• Participation in progress meetings, report writing, …,
• Dissemination of the scientific results (reports and publications).

• Master or engineering school student with microwave background,
• Taste and aptitude for laboratory experimentation (fabrication) and practical applications,
• Ability to work and write scientific reports,
• Knowledge of French is an advantage but not required initially,
• Knowledge of English (written).