The energy transition requires innovative technologies that not only reduce energy consumption but also harness previously untapped energy sources. This presentation demonstrates how smart coatings, textiles and composite materials can sustainably generate, store and manage energy. Examples include harvesting vibrational energy from automotive components (SUINK), recovering waste heat through thermoelectric and pyroelectric materials (ThermoHarv), electrically conductive heating coatings, thermal management solutions and textile-based supercapacitors for energy storage. Together, these developments illustrate how advanced materials can contribute to more energy-efficient, circular and climate-friendly products and systems.

With the support of Interreg France–Wallonia–Flanders, Wallonia and POM West Flanders (ThermoHarv).