Project directory

HEATEC

The HEATec project is the result of an internal innovation challenge in ST Microelectronics, resting on the development of innovative solutions for the recuperation of thermal energy. For example, the presence of uncommon heat gradients in our environment (fluid piping, facade heating, electronic equipment…) constitute a poorly exploited energy source.

Recovery systems for this wasted energy opens new applications and methods to power autonomous systems when the quantity of converted energy is weak, or to create electricity generation systems when the effectiveness of conversion is more important.

Within this framework, the HEATec project proposes new thermal energy recuperation systems, and thanks to collaborations established with several project partners upstream, the relevance of these solutions could be shown.

The aiml of the project is to revolutionize the field of thermal energy recuperation and this following several axes:

– (1) the development of the energy recuperation systems compatible with properties such as large surface, flexibility,  low cost and of course efficiency;

– (2) the realization of systems compatible with providing the necessary power to run the autonomous communication systems;

– (3) the optimization of the energy recuperation technologyin order to consider energy production systems with an  improved efficiency.

In order to develop these innovating energy recuperation systems, a single consortium was set up, gathering public laboratories (CEA-LITEN and CEA-LETI) and industrialists (ST Microelectronics, Genes’ Ink, Delta-Concept, ESI-group) offering state-of -the-art knowledge in the fields of materials, physical phenomena, technological integration and systems on various supports (silicon and organics), plus circuit integration and heterogeneous solutions.

The potential in terms of application and use opens doors to many markets following to axes:

– (1) autonomous energy systems able to fill the function of smart sensors and to transmit wireless information;

– (2) energy production starting from the heat gradients present on a large scale on large surfaces in our environment.

This project is carried by Cluster MINALOGIC,  SCS Cluster and S2E2.