Aalto University and IIT Delhi to collaborate on ultra-low-power and sustainable wireless communications

Ultra-low-power Machine Type Communications (MTC) for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity is one of the key research areas of the 6G Flagship. The project Ultra-Low-Power and Sustainable Wireless Communications initiates an education and research platform to develop ultra-low-power and passive backscatter communication devices and energy harvesting. This research offers a way to produce battery-free IoT devices to shape a sustainable future.

 According to Professor Riku Jäntti, “There is an increase in the number of IoT devices that are disposable. They are used only as long as their battery lasts after which they become electronics waste part of which is toxic problem waste that cannot be easily recycled. A radically different approach is needed to make IoT devices sustainable. The purpose of the research collaboration is to develop solutions for sustainable IoT and educate future engineers on the topic”. 

The project implements several collaboration actions that aim to systemize continuous research between Aalto University and IIT Delhi. The project will strengthen both parties by combining their unique expertise in the area of sustainable wireless communications. The research team will jointly conduct research, workshops, doctoral exchange programs, and postdoc programs. The collaborators also plan to combine the synergies of relevant Finnish and Indian Institutes and lead this project towards long-term cooperation in drafting white papers for policy level funding, and dialogues with funding organizations and innovation ecosystems.

This project is seed-funded as part of the India Pilot initiative from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. Aalto is coordinating the India Pilot Network FICORE (Finnish Indian Consortia for Research and Education) which involves 38  higher education institutions from Finland and India.