Advances in Hybrid Energy Harvesting: Materials, Structures and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Hybrid energy harvesting can be defined as a procedure in which wasted ambient energy from various sources, such as light, heat, movement, vibration, or electromagnetic signals, is captured and converted to electric energy through transduction mechanisms such as photovoltaic, thermoelectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric, and electromagnetic. Compared to conventional energy-harvesting  devices, hybrid systems possess a significant advantage in that they can produce energy continuously, regardless of the environmental conditions. For example, a hybrid harvester consisting of a photovoltaic panel and a thermoelectric generator (TEG) can produce electric power during the day, mainly due to solar energy conversion. However, at night, TEGs continue to provide energy, taking advantage of temperature differences. Therefore, hybrid energy harvesters continuously provide stable, constant energy.  As such, hybrid energy-harvesting systems could represent promising alternatives, especially for replacing batteries in low-power electronic devices and wearables, making them an important technology for achieving a sustainable society in the future.

Considering the above, the main purpose of the proposed Special Issue is to carry out an in-depth exploration of hybrid energy-harvesting technology, especially regarding the materials used. Moreover, we aim to highlight recent progress and prospects in this exciting and evolving field of science.

Potential topics for this Special Issue include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. Novel materials for ambient energy harvesting (thermoelectrics, piezoelectrics, pyroelectrics, metamaterials, etc.);
2. Hybrid energy-harvesting devices;
3. Additive manufacturing in hybrid energy-harvesting systems;
4. Applications of hybrid energy-harvesting devices;
5. Design of energy harvesters;
6. Energy management for harvesting devices.

We look forward to receiving submissions of scientific impact that address and overcome the challenges in this field.

Dr. Zacharias A. Viskadourakis
Dr. George Kenanakis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• hybrid energy harvesting
• materials for energy harvesting
• combine harvesters
• harvester design
• energy management