Microwave Long Range Wireless Power Transfer System

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is a cutting-edge technology with applications in every corner, ranging from space exploration, process/production, environment monitoring to healthcare inspection and disease diagnosis, and essentially forms the core of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Energy-harvesting devices allow the wireless sensor networks to be deployed to areas where the power cannot be accessed or with limited access. Thus, they enables a completely battery-less operation and reduces the operation cost of WSNs, which is mainly due to battery replacement, thus making it very important for a sustainable ‘‘near-perpetual’’ WSN operability.

Current approaches for deploying large-scale sensor networks involve miles of cabling that provide source power and collect data, or battery-operated wireless sensors, which pose a serious environmental risk with the disposal of billions of batteries every year. While these methods are necessary in some situations where real-time data or harsh environments prohibit manual monitoring of critical environment parameters, the cost, installation difficulty, and maintenance rarely justify their use over manual inspections and monitoring. Due to the above reasons, the concept of energy harvesting was introduced to alleviate this problem.

The project’s aim is to develop an autonomous wireless sensor network system with energy transfer and harvesting capability. This work will focus on the development of RF energy harvesting systems for battery-less wireless sensor network. This research work will require to design, develop and implement a generic low-cost smart sensing environment and communication protocol for monitoring the nation's ageing infrastructure and harsh environment. Due to the complexity of the monitoring system requires the following published literatures to be explored: sensor systems, energy harvesting/transfer/storage technologies, antennas, wireless communications, autonomous systems, information management, programming and design tools, trust security and privacy, systems theory, human factors and social issues. It is also important that the system allows communication between different infrastructure owners. Hence there is a need to take a holistic approach rather than an infrastructure specific approach to tackle this problem.

This project is suitable for applicants with interests and good background in electromagnetics, battery/power management theory, cyber security and microwave engineering particularly in electromagnetic wave propagation, antennas, rectennas and antenna arrays for communication systems. Indicatively, applicants should have good performance in the following subjects: Electromagnetic Theory and Fields, Microwave and mm-Wave Transmission Systems and Devices, Sensors, Communication Principles/Theory, power/battery management and storage, Engineering Mathematics.  

Academic qualifications 

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements ideally in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. 

English language requirement 

If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language. 

Application process 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr Chan Hwang See (C.See@napier.ac.uk) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application. 

The application must include:  

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about 

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results. 
• Research questions or 
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods. 
• List of references 

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support. 

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project. 
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate. 
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates. 
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here. 

Applications can be submitted here.

Download a copy of the project details here.