International collaboration within the INTAKE project – Integrated Nanocomposites for Thermal and Kinetic Energy Harvesting is gaining momentum in Sendai (Tohoku University, Japan)!

At the turn of August and September 2025, researchers from Politechnika Wrocławska are carrying out tasks at Tohoku University in the field of interdisciplinary energy harvesting technologies and advanced nanocomposites.

At Wrocław Tech, the leader of the INTAKE project is the Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems. Karolina Laszczyk, Ph.D. Eng. (Department of Microsystems) serves as the project coordinator. The Faculty contributes significantly through research on microsystems, 3D printing, and piezoelectric nanocomposites, which form the basis of new sensors and energy harvesting technologies.

The research team visiting Tohoku University includes:

• Anna Maria Kamińska, Ph.D.Eng (Wydział Zarządzania Politechniki Wrocławskiej, Department of Project, Quality and Logistics Management) – conducts Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA).
  
  
• Paweł Piórkowski Ph.D. Eng. (Wydział Mechaniczny Politechnika Wrocławska, Department of Machine Tools and Mechanical Technologies) – investigates the mechanical properties of composite components.
  
  
• Mirosław Gierczak Ph.D. Eng. (Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems, Department of Microsystems) – designs and develops a prototype vibration sensor based on a piezoelectric nanocomposite transducer.
  
  
• MSc. Oliwia Frankiewicz (Faculty of Electrical Engineerin, Department of Electrical Machines, Drives and Measurements) – applies machine learning to analyze and investigate the properties of composites.
  
  
• MSc. Michał Żółtowski and MSc. Jan Sobków (Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems, Department of Microsystems) – conduct research on composites, including 3D-printed ones, and measurement techniques for 3D-printed composites.

The INTAKE project aims to create innovative nanocomposites integrating energy harvesting and sensing functions within structural materials – from wind energy to medicine and infrastructure. The approach combines engineering, materials science, electronics, and social sciences, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and circular economy.

The researchers are hosted by Prof. Hiroki KURITA and Prof. Fumio Narita from Tohoku University, whose support and openness foster inspiring knowledge exchange.
The collaboration has already resulted in joint publications and a vision of future projects that will further strengthen interdisciplinarity and innovation in science.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Prof. Andrzej Dziedzic, Head of the Department of Microsystems, and Prof. Rafał Walczak, Dean of the Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems, for their support in enabling this visit within the INTAKE project.

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