FAST-SMART
FAST and Nano-Enabled SMART Materials, Structures and Systems for Energy Harvesting
This project is supported by the European Commission under the HORIZON2020 Framework Programme
PLUG AND FORGET is the inspirational motif that generated FAST-SMART, an international European project funded by EC that gathered together for 48 months top-rated universities, research centres and companies expert in materials, solar panels and transport systems.
The objective of the project is to improve the efficiency of how we can collect alternative forms of energies generated by our surroundings (e.g. light, heat, mechanical vibrations) and convert them in energy that we can reuse to feed our devices, such as sensors and solar panels. This process is called ENERGY HARVESTING.
Energy harvesting happens using devices called ENERGY HARVESTERS. Their science and development is relatively new and, at the moment, it is possible to obtain only small amounts of energy that, by the way, can already allow small devices such as mobile phones handset to have their own power supply without being plugged.
Energy harvesting is beneficial to our environment because reuse natural forms of energies that otherwise would be dissipated or wasted.
At present energy harvesters are produced using toxic material (such as Lead) and other strategic materials classified as Critical Raw Materials (such as Titanium) available in limited quantities in Europe and making our continent vulnerable and dependent from external sources.
FAST-SMART project aims to develop energy harvesters based on new materials without elements that can harm our planet or elements no present in Europe mining portfolio. In particular, two categories of energy harvesters will be innovated: piezoelectric and thermoelectric and tested in three application fields: sensors for railway track vibration detection, solar panels and hybrid engines. FAST SMART project will bring innovation not only in materials but also in the assembly steps, with more efficient low energy consumption synthesis process and faster assembly techniques.
Explore our web-site to know more or contact us!!

Overview of the FAST-SMART project
Beneficiary organisations from
EU countries
Consortium Composition
Companies
RES
HES
Total Budget (€)
Total Personnel Effort (Person-Month). Equal to approximately 18 full-time workers per year
Start date
Project duration
FAST-SMART Project Overall Structure
FASTER and GREENER are the main characteristics of FAST SMART technologies.
We aim to produce more efficient, reliable and cost – effective energy harvesters decreasing drastically the use of rare – elements and eliminating Lead and Critical Raw Materials.
Our methodology is based on a 4 – year Work Plan constituted by 9 Work Packages. The concept behind the project is to improve materials, process chain and final products through the redesign of each single production step, in particular:
- Upscaling hydrothermal process for Nano lead-free piezoelectric BCZT with controlled stoichiometry;
- Upscaling high-energy ball mining (HEBM) for Nano-structured thermoelectric Mg-Silicide (MgS) materials and Hf- free half-Heusler alloys;
- Delivering high-performance and low-cost Piezoelectric (PE) and Thermoelectric (TE) materials for high – efficient energy harvesters for the railway, photovoltaic and automotive sector. Click here to discover the end users of the project.

Latest News and Events
Newsletter – Issue April 30th 2023
LAUNCH OF THE ERHASE CLUSTER: EneRgy HArvesting for a Sustainable future
FAST SMART project is glad to announce the launch of a new international initiative related to the launch of the ERHASE cluster formed by three projects funded by the European Commission under the same action in 2019 call on energy harvesters: the FAST-SMART Project,...
Newsletter – Issue September 15th 2022
Newsletter – Issue November 30th 2021
FAST-SMART 18 Months Review Meeting – 19 October 2021, Online Meeting
The FAST-SMART Project had its 18 Months review meeting on the 19th of October 2021. 29 representatives from the 13 Partner organisations, along with Project Officer, Dr Achilleas Stalios, and Project Monitor attended this meeting. The project co-ordinator, Professor...
Newsletter – Issue April 27th 2021
Contact us
Professor Yi Qin
Project Coordinator
Centre for Precision Manufacturing
Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management
The University of Strathclyde, UK
Dr. Eng. Maddalena Rostagno
Project Exploitation Manager
GAe Engineering, Italy
