Project coordinator Matti Mäntysalo, leader of WP8 (Tampere University)

Prof. Matti Mäntysalo is a full professor at the Laboratory for Future Electronics at Tampere University, Finland. He has published over 200 research papers, with more than 5600 citations (h-index 35), was awarded for the first inkjet printed GSM BB integration, and has given many scientific and technical talks, including keynotes. He has served as an external expert in IEEE, IEC, and the Organic Electronics Association. His research interests include printed electronics materials, fabrication processes, stretchable electronics, sensors, and the integration of printed electronics with silicon-based technology (hybrid systems). His research interests include printed and flexible electronics, deformable electronics, sensors, self-powered electronics, and system integration, especially the integration of printed and conventional electronics. His research vision is to achieve more sustainable electronics through material selection and low-temperature fabrication processes.

Could you explain the concept behind the ARMS project?

Supercapacitors have been widely accepted as an important type of electrochemical energy storage device due to their high power density, rapid charging time, and long cycle life. In contrast to batteries, which frequently contain toxic, corrosive and/or strategically problematic materials, supercapacitors can rely on eco-friendly materials. However, the energy density of most commercially available supercapacitors is significantly lower than batteries. ARMS is solving this by integrating materials and processes, including graphene-rich bio-based carbon materials and graphene-decorated carbon fibres, and developing scalable and cost-effective atomic layer deposition (ALD) manufacturing technology

As the project coordinator, could you explain the reason behind the ARMS project? What is the project’s origin story? How were the other consortium partners identified and selected?

This is a good question. At TAU, we have investigated printed flexible supercapacitors for several years, and many doctoral theses have been published. We made a strategic decision to focus on environmentally sustainable materials. These materials typically are not performing as well as some of their toxic or harmful counterparts.  Therefore, we often brainstormed with different ideas to overcome these obstacles. We knew some of the partners from our previous EU collaboration and developed the idea with some of them. During the development, we recognized that we needed expertise from different domains, which led to this consortium.

What does your organization do in the ARMS project? What is your role in it?

My role in ARMS is to coordinate the project. In addition to coordination, TAU is responsible for a work package that researches and develops electrode decoration using ALD. 

What are your expectations for the project from both your personal and organizational viewpoints?

I am enthusiastic about the project. It combines our expertise in supercapacitors and thin-film deposition. As a coordinator, I see that we have a talented and innovative consortium. The team members are genuinely interested and committed to the project. Therefore, it is easy to believe that our approach will dramatically improve supercapacitors' performance.

Could you outline the main innovations that the ARMS project will offer the world at the end of the project?

The project's main innovation is that we use 2D materials like graphene, which is used in supercapacitor electrodes, and decorate it with metal oxides using atomic layer deposition. First, in labs scale aiming to spatial ALD and roll-to-roll process. This will have a huge impact on energy storage. If and when, we are able to reach the energy density levels close to batteries, those can be replaced with more sustainable supercapacitors.

Can you foresee any potential future collaborations or expansions of the ARMS project beyond its current scope?