Thermal and solar energy as well as body movement are all sources of energy. They can be exploited by advanced technology, obviating the need for battery recharging. These local ambient sources of energy can be captured and stored. However, their low intensity and intermittent nature reduces the recovery of energy by microscale instruments, highlighting the need for an integrated multisource energy harvester. Existing methods combine different single source scavengers in one instrument or use multifunctional materials to concurrently convert various energy sources into electricity.

The EU-funded 3DScavengers project proposes a compact solution based on the nanoscale architecture of multifunctional three-dimensional materials to fill the gap between the two existing methods. These nanoarchitectures will be able to simultaneous and individual harvesting from light, movement and temperature fluctuations. 3DScavengers ultimate goal is to apply a scalable and environmental friendly one-reactor plasma and vacuum approach for the synthesis of this advanced generation of nanomaterials.