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January (M14) – June 2026 (M19)
🌿EcoSentinel Newsletter #3 – From Integration to a New Research Cycle
Welcome to the third edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
The first half of 2026 has marked an important milestone in the EcoSentinel journey. After building the scientific foundations and experimentally exploring plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors, the project has taken a major step forward: integrating these different components into the first EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC).
At the same time, the consortium successfully completed its Midterm Review and launched the second research cycle, using the knowledge gained during the first phase to refine our scientific models, designs and experiments.
Our journey continues: from understanding individual components to developing integrated plant-based digital systems.
✅Highlights from Months 14 to 19 (January – June 2026)
🧪 Technical and Scientific Foundations
During this period, EcoSentinel reached one of its most important technical milestones so far: the design, assembly and validation of the first integrated EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC_v1).
The work carried out under WP3 brought together the models, designs and experimental results previously developed in WP1 and WP2. This process was documented through three key deliverables:
D3.1 – Design of the EcoSentinel PoC v1, which defined the system architecture, integration strategy, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and experimental plan for combining the different EcoSentinel components into a unified plant-based node.
D3.2 – PoC Elements Description v1, providing the detailed technical description of the individual elements selected for integration into the first Proof of Concept.
D3.3 – Results on the EcoSentinel PoC v1, presenting the implementation, testing and experimental validation of the first integrated system.
Three complementary research areas were progressively brought together:
Plants as Antennas, exploring how plant characteristics influence antenna performance.
Plants as Energy Sources and Communication Systems, combining Plant-Microbial Fuel Cells (P-MFCs), ultra-low-power electronics and wireless communication.
Plants as Living Biosensors, investigating how plant-soil-microbe interactions and electrical measurements can provide information about plant status.
Together, these elements form the basis of a self-powered plant-based sensing and communication node (Figure 1). The experimental results reported in D3.3 confirmed the technical feasibility of this approach, demonstrating that bio-harvested energy can support sensing and wireless data transmission within an integrated EcoSentinel system.
The completion of PoC_v1 also marked the conclusion of the first EcoSentinel research cycle and the transition towards a new stage of scientific refinement.
Figure 1. Extended view of the whole setup for EcoSentinel's PoC_v1 at UniCA. The dashboard with data reception can be seen in the smart screens.
🔄Cycle 2 begins
Building on the knowledge and experimental evidence generated during Cycle 1, EcoSentinel has now started its second research cycle, returning to the project's theoretical foundations and designs to refine the four main technological pillars:
Plants as Antennas
Plants as Energy Sources
Plants as Communication Systems
Plants as Living Biosensors
Two new deliverables capture this evolution:
D1.4 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation v2, which revisits and updates the scientific models developed during the first cycle. The new framework moves towards understanding plants as integrated biohybrid systems, where physiology, water relations, environmental variability and plant-soil-microbe interactions can simultaneously influence sensing, electromagnetic behaviour, energy generation and communication.
D1.5 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation v2, which translates these updated scientific foundations into revised designs and validation strategies for the next generation of experiments.
One important lesson emerging from Cycle 1 is that the four EcoSentinel pillars cannot be understood entirely in isolation. For example, plant water content has emerged as a particularly relevant variable connecting plant physiology with electromagnetic behaviour and other system functionalities. This more integrated perspective will guide the project's next scientific developments.
Based on these updated foundations and designs, the consortium has also begun defining the second cycle of WP2 experiments, which will further investigate and validate plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors.
🗂️ Management & Governance
The consortium prepared D5.6 – RP1 Technical/Scientific Review Meeting Documents, consolidating the main scientific and technical results achieved during the first reporting period.
In February 2026, EcoSentinel underwent its Midterm Review with the European Commission Project Officer and external experts.
The review was successfully completed, confirming the project's progress and allowing EcoSentinel to continue its research programme and move into the next development cycle.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Main communication and dissemination actions:
3rd EcoSentinel General Meeting [Nice, France] 28–29/JAN/2026
The EcoSentinel consortium gathered at LEAT (Laboratoire d'Électronique, Antennes et Télécommunications), Université Côte d’Azur, at the SophiaTech Campus in Nice.
The meeting focused on reviewing the experiments performed under WP2, integrating the different components developed by the partners and preparing the first Proof of Concept.
A particularly important milestone was achieved during the meeting: the first EcoSentinel node was assembled.
The consortium conducted initial communication tests, evaluated the photosynthetic performance of the plants and prepared new propagation experiments.
EcoSentinel Task Force: Plants as Antennas
Researchers from Ignion and the University of Genoa met at Ignion's facilities in Barcelona to continue their joint research on Plants as Antennas.
The collaboration combines expertise in antenna engineering, plant physiology and botany to investigate how living plant tissues and Antenna Booster Technology can work together as part of future wireless communication systems.
During this semester, EcoSentinel also launched the “Meet the Researchers” campaign on LinkedIn, introducing some of the people behind the multidisciplinary research carried out within the project. Between January and June, we introduced:
More researchers will be joining the series in the coming months!
NEWS:
Second Newsletter – JAN/2026
PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES:
EcoSentinel at PI STORIES 2026 – 28/MAY/2026
Project Coordinator Alan Briones presented EcoSentinel as part of the PI STORIES 2026 seminar series, organised by the UniTrento IECS Doctoral School in Information Engineering and Computer Science.
The seminar introduced students, researchers and attendees to EcoSentinel's vision of digitally interconnected plants combining biological processes, energy harvesting and wireless communications.
A new research contribution entitled: “Propagation Modeling and Experimental Validation for Ultra-Low-Power Plant Communication Nodes with Leaf-Integrated Antenna Booster” was submitted for presentation at the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting, taking place in Detroit, USA, from 12–17 July 2026.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
“The Origin of Dielectric Permittivity in Plants”, by Margherita Festa, Marta Pianta, Pavel Miškovský, Esha Niaz, Jaume Anguera, Enrica Roccotiello and Armando Carpaneto.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067), Section Molecular Plant Sciences.
This research explores the physical mechanisms behind dielectric permittivity in plant tissues, an important property for understanding how electromagnetic waves interact with living plants.
The findings contribute to improving the scientific models used to investigate plants as part of wireless antenna systems, helping EcoSentinel better understand how biological characteristics can influence electromagnetic behaviour.
📄 Deliverables Submitted (sensitive deliverables are not linked)
D3.1 – Design of the EcoSentinel PoC v1
D3.2 – PoC Elements Description v1 – Not public (Sensitive)
D3.3 – Results on the EcoSentinel PoC v1
D1.4 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation v2
D1.5 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation v2 – Not public (Sensitive)
D5.6 – RP1 Technical/Scientific Review Meeting Documents – Not public (Sensitive)
🔍 What’s Next?
The next months will continue this transition into Cycle 2, with new experiments designed to refine and extend the results obtained so far.
Next steps include:
Continuing the second cycle of WP2 experiments on plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors.
Holding the 4th EcoSentinel General Meeting, hosted by the University of Genoa on 8-9 July 2026.
Meeting again with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to present project progress, discuss the first Proof of Concept and gather recommendations for the next research phase.
Hosting an EcoSentinel Open Seminar to share the project's scientific progress with students, researchers and the wider community.
Presenting “Propagation Modeling and Experimental Validation for Ultra-Low-Power Plant Communication Nodes with Leaf-Integrated Antenna Booster” at IEEE AP-S/URSI 2026 in Detroit.
Presenting the EcoSentinel project on 21 July 2026 at the Urban Ecological Security and Sustainability Annual Workshop (UESS), an international event jointly organized by Suffolk University (Boston, USA) and Fudan University (Shanghai, China), two institutions of internationally recognized prestige.
The project is now moving from its first integrated demonstration towards more refined models, new experiments and increasingly advanced plant-based communication systems.
💬 A Word to Our Community
The EcoSentinel community continues to grow alongside the project.
We would like to thank all our partners, researchers, advisors, collaborators and followers for supporting our work and following the discoveries emerging from this ambitious interdisciplinary journey.
With the first Proof of Concept successfully demonstrated and Cycle 2 already underway, an exciting new phase of EcoSentinel research has begun.
Stay connected, stay curious and keep growing with us. 🌱
There are many more discoveries ahead.
🔗 Stay connected and follow us on
🌐 Website: ecosentinel.eu
💼 LinkedIn: EcoSentinel Project
📸 Instagram: EcoSentinel Project
🎵 TikTok: EcoSentinel Project
July - December 2025
🌿EcoSentinel Newsletter #2 – From Theory to Tangible Designs
Welcome to the second edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
In the past six months, our project has made a major leap forward transitioning from solid theoretical foundations to early experimental validations and system designs. Each work package has contributed to this evolution, bringing us closer to the first EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC), where nature-inspired innovation meets sustainable communication.
Our consortium has been active across all work packages, contributing to the project's scientific depth, communication reach, and strategic alignment.
✅Highlights from Months 8 to 13 (July – December 2025)
🧪 Technical and Scientific Foundations
During this period, the project consolidated its theoretical models and transitioned into early-stage system design and testing:
D1.2 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation. Consolidated interdisciplinary models for components like antennas, biosensors, energy modules, and communication systems.
D1.3 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation. Translated theoretical models into design specifications to support experimentation.
D2.1–D2.4: First experimental results on all components validated initial hypotheses and informed system integration.
WP3 – EcoSentinel PoC Design was launched with a focus on architectural planning and integration strategy for the upcoming prototype.
🗂️ Management & Governance
WP5 – Management and Ethics ensured effective coordination and project alignment. Project Management Handbook, Financial Plan, and Data Management Plan.
The deliverable D5.5 captured progress and confirmed risk mitigation. No deviations were reported, and the project remains on track with full compliance to Horizon Europe standards.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Main communication and dissemination actions:
A major highlight was the EcoSentinel Research Symposium, hosted during the 2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 & IoT (1 – 3 July, EETAC-UPC Castelldefels, Barcelona):
📌 Special session: Techno-Natural Systems: Sustainable Wireless Communications for Ecosystem Preservation
🎤Tutorial by Prof. Jaume Anguera (Ignion): Enhancing Connectivity with Antenna Booster Technology for a Sustainable Future
📄 Six peer-reviewed papers presented, all available on IEEE Xplore
🔍 Private session with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to review early results
Paper presentation at Splitech Conference in Split (Croatia) – 19/JUN/2025
NEWS:
First Newsletter – JULY/2025
PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES:
Paper presentation at the URSI (XL National symposium) in Tarragona (Spain) – 5/SEP/2025
EcoSentinel presentation (online) as part of the De La Salle University Sustainability Sessions in Philippines – 29/OCT/2025 (🎥 Watch the full session here)
PAPERS:
P1. Enhancing Connectivity with Leaf-Based Ground Planes for IoT Devices Embedding Antenna Boosters
P2. Enhancing the Efficiency of IoT Devices by Ground Plane Shaping with Antenna Boosters
P3. Self-powered plant microbial fuel cell monitoring node with autonomous dynamic capacitance
P4. Stand-Alone Green Twin for Plant Microbial Fuel Cell (PMFC) Monitoring and Optimization
P5. Indoor Plant Health Monitoring System using NDVI Imaging, PMFC Sensing and Soil Moisture Data
P6. Wake-Up radio with Plant-Microbial Fuel Cells Power Budget
📄 Deliverables Submitted (sensitive deliverables are not linked)
D1.2 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation
D1.3 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation
D2.1 – Results on Plants as Antennas
D2.2 – Results on Plants as Energy Sources
D2.3 – Results on Plants as Communication Systems
D2.4 – Results on Plants as Living Biosensors
D5.5 – Reporting, Risk and Quality Assessment Plan (v2)
🔍 What’s Next?
The project enters an important phase with the design and implementation of the EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC).
Next steps include:
Final integration of components tested in WP2
Initial prototype assembly and evaluation under WP3
General Assembly at Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA) in January 2026
Expansion of communication activities via new articles and updates from the Symposium
💬 A Word to Our Community
The EcoSentinel consortium is proud of the progress achieved and inspired by the scientific dialogue generated so far.
As we move into the PoC phase, we thank all our partners, advisors, and readers for supporting this vision. Together, we’re making nature-powered digital systems a reality.
🔗 Stay connected and follow us on
🌐 Website: ecosentinel.eu
💼 LinkedIn: EcoSentinel Project
📸 Instagram: EcoSentinel Project
🎵 TikTok: EcoSentinel Project
July 2025
🌿 EcoSentinel Newsletter #1 – Laying the Groundwork
for a Greener Digital Future
Welcome to the first edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
EcoSentinel is a visionary research initiative funded under the European Innovation Council (EIC). Its mission: to transform the natural world into a critical player in digital sustainability. By exploring how plants can function as antennas, sensors, energy sources, and wireless communication systems, EcoSentinel is redefining how we harness nature to build a more connected and eco-conscious future.
In our first seven months, we’ve worked hard to build a strong foundation (technically, administratively, and scientifically). Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished so far.
✅ Highlights from Months 1 to 7 (Dec 2024 – June 2025)
🧪 Technical and Scientific Foundations
Kick-off Meeting and Interdisciplinary Seminars. Hosted by Plant-e, these events set the stage for deep collaboration across the different disciplines present in the project.
Definition of the EcoSentinel Research Requirements. A cornerstone deliverable that defines how plants will be modeled as antennas, energy sources, biosensors, and communication systems.
Experimental planning began, setting the groundwork for testing plant-based digital components.
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) established. A panel of international experts guiding project excellence and vision.
🗂️ Management & Governance
Consortium Agreement Signed. Formalized the project’s internal structure and partner roles.
Project Management Handbook, Financial Plan, and Data Management Plan. Ensured transparency, coordination, and ethical data practices.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Visual Identity Developed (Logo, Brand Book, Website). The EcoSentinel brand was born.
Community of Knowledge (CoK) launched. A collaborative and transdisciplinary space to connect with stakeholders and share findings.
Organization of the EcoSentinel Research Symposium. In fact, the event has already taken place. Held from 1–3 July 2025 in Castelldefels (Barcelona) as part of the 2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 & IoT (MetroInd4.0&IoT). The event brought together partners and external experts for strategic discussions and exchange on the future of bio-inspired technology. In addition to internal sessions, technical papers emerging from EcoSentinel’s early-stage research were presented as part of the conference programme, giving visibility to the project's scientific contributions within the international community.
📢 After the summer break, a full news article will be published on our website to highlight the outcomes and insights from the event in greater detail.
Main communication and dissemination actions:
NEWS
Hello world (EcoSentinel website) – JAN/2025
Kick-off meeting and Seminars at Plant-e (The Netherlands) – 25/JAN/2025
VIDEOS
1 minute promotion video – 21/MAR/2025
INTERVIEWS
Radio interview at Hombros de Gigantes (Spanish Radio program at RNE3) – 01/DEC/2024
Radio interview at Revolució 4.0 (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 15/JAN/2025 Radio interview at Futurs (Podcast) – 30/MAY/2025
PRESENTATIONS
EcoSentinel presentation at National EIC Pathfinder Infoday in Madrid (Spain) – 04/FEB/2025 EcoSentinel presentation in Vietnam – 12/JUN/2025
PAPERS and CONFERENCES
Special Session organisation at the MetroInd4.0IoT International Conference – MAR/2025
Paper presentation at the EUCAP (European Conference on Antennas and Propagation) in Stockholm (Sweden) – 01/APR/2025
Paper presentation at Splitech Conference in Split (Croatia) – 19/JUN/2025
AWARDS
Radio Award from Revolució 4.0 program (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 18/JUN/2025
🔍 What’s Next?
As we enter the next phase (M8–M13), EcoSentinel will:
Launch experimental setups under WP2, testing plant-based technologies.
Prepare for the Proof of Concept phase in WP3.
This transition will bring us from theory to tangible innovation.
💬 A Word to Our Community
We believe that by uniting nature and technology, we can reshape the way we communicate and live sustainably.
Thank you for following our journey, we’re just getting started!
Stay tuned, stay curious, and stay connected.
👉 Follow us on social media and visit our website to explore how EcoSentinel is helping nature speak the language of the future.
Welcome to the first edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
EcoSentinel is a visionary research initiative funded under the European Innovation Council (EIC). Its mission: to transform the natural world into a critical player in digital sustainability. By exploring how plants can function as antennas, sensors, energy sources, and wireless communication systems, EcoSentinel is redefining how we harness nature to build a more connected and eco-conscious future.
In our first seven months, we’ve worked hard to build a strong foundation (technically, administratively, and scientifically). Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished so far.
✅ Highlights from Months 1 to 7 (Dec 2024 – June 2025)
🧪Technical and Scientific Foundations
Kick-off Meeting and Interdisciplinary Seminars. Hosted by Plant-e, these events set the stage for deep collaboration across the different disciplines present in the project.
Definition of the EcoSentinel Research Requirements. A cornerstone deliverable that defines how plants will be modeled as antennas, energy sources, biosensors, and communication systems.
Experimental planning began, setting the groundwork for testing plant-based digital components.
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) established. A panel of international experts guiding project excellence and vision.
🗂️ Management & Governance
Consortium Agreement Signed. Formalized the project’s internal structure and partner roles.
Project Management Handbook, Financial Plan, and Data Management Plan. Ensured transparency, coordination, and ethical data practices.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Visual Identity Developed (Logo, Brand Book, Website). The EcoSentinel brand was born.
Community of Knowledge (CoK) launched. A collaborative and transdisciplinary space to connect with stakeholders and share findings.
Organization of the EcoSentinel Research Symposium. In fact, the event has already taken place. Held from 1–3 July 2025 in Castelldefels (Barcelona) as part of the 2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 & IoT (MetroInd4.0&IoT). The event brought together partners and external experts for strategic discussions and exchange on the future of bio-inspired technology. In addition to internal sessions, technical papers emerging from EcoSentinel’s early-stage research were presented as part of the conference programme, giving visibility to the project's scientific contributions within the international community.
📢 After the summer break, a full news article will be published on our website to highlight the outcomes and insights from the event in greater detail.
Main communication and dissemination actions:
NEWS
Hello world (EcoSentinel website) – JAN/2025
Kick-off meeting and Seminars at Plant-e (The Netherlands) – 25/JAN/2025
VIDEOS
1 minute promotion video – 21/MAR/2025
INTERVIEWS
Radio interview at Hombros de Gigantes (Spanish Radio program at RNE3) – 01/DEC/2024
Radio interview at Revolució 4.0 (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 15/JAN/2025 Radio interview at Futurs (Podcast) – 30/MAY/2025
PRESENTATIONS
EcoSentinel presentation at National EIC Pathfinder Infoday in Madrid (Spain) – 04/FEB/2025 EcoSentinel presentation in Vietnam – 12/JUN/2025
PAPERS and CONFERENCES
Special Session organisation at the MetroInd4.0IoT International Conference – MAR/2025
Paper presentation at the EUCAP (European Conference on Antennas and Propagation) in Stockholm (Sweden) – 01/APR/2025
Paper presentation at Splitech Conference in Split (Croatia) – 19/JUN/2025
AWARDS
Radio Award from Revolució 4.0 program (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 18/JUN/2025
🔍 What’s Next?
As we enter the next phase (M8–M13), EcoSentinel will:
Launch experimental setups under WP2, testing plant-based technologies.
Prepare for the Proof of Concept phase in WP3.
This transition will bring us from theory to tangible innovation.
💬 A Word to Our Community
We believe that by uniting nature and technology, we can reshape the way we communicate and live sustainably.
Thank you for following our journey, we’re just getting started!
Stay tuned, stay curious, and stay connected.
👉 Follow us on social media and visit our website to explore how EcoSentinel is helping nature speak the language of the future.
Welcome to the first edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
EcoSentinel is a visionary research initiative funded under the European Innovation Council (EIC). Its mission: to transform the natural world into a critical player in digital sustainability. By exploring how plants can function as antennas, sensors, energy sources, and wireless communication systems, EcoSentinel is redefining how we harness nature to build a more connected and eco-conscious future.
In our first seven months, we’ve worked hard to build a strong foundation (technically, administratively, and scientifically). Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished so far.
✅ Highlights from Months 1 to 7 (Dec 2024 – June 2025)
🧪Technical and Scientific Foundations
Kick-off Meeting and Interdisciplinary Seminars. Hosted by Plant-e, these events set the stage for deep collaboration across the different disciplines present in the project.
Definition of the EcoSentinel Research Requirements. A cornerstone deliverable that defines how plants will be modeled as antennas, energy sources, biosensors, and communication systems.
Experimental planning began, setting the groundwork for testing plant-based digital components.
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) established. A panel of international experts guiding project excellence and vision.
🗂️ Management & Governance
Consortium Agreement Signed. Formalized the project’s internal structure and partner roles.
Project Management Handbook, Financial Plan, and Data Management Plan. Ensured transparency, coordination, and ethical data practices.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Visual Identity Developed (Logo, Brand Book, Website). The EcoSentinel brand was born.
Community of Knowledge (CoK) launched. A collaborative and transdisciplinary space to connect with stakeholders and share findings.
Organization of the EcoSentinel Research Symposium. In fact, the event has already taken place. Held from 1–3 July 2025 in Castelldefels (Barcelona) as part of the 2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 & IoT (MetroInd4.0&IoT). The event brought together partners and external experts for strategic discussions and exchange on the future of bio-inspired technology. In addition to internal sessions, technical papers emerging from EcoSentinel’s early-stage research were presented as part of the conference programme, giving visibility to the project's scientific contributions within the international community.
📢 After the summer break, a full news article will be published on our website to highlight the outcomes and insights from the event in greater detail.
Main communication and dissemination actions:
NEWS
Hello world (EcoSentinel website) – JAN/2025
Kick-off meeting and Seminars at Plant-e (The Netherlands) – 25/JAN/2025
VIDEOS
1 minute promotion video – 21/MAR/2025
INTERVIEWS
Radio interview at Hombros de Gigantes (Spanish Radio program at RNE3) – 01/DEC/2024
Radio interview at Revolució 4.0 (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 15/JAN/2025 Radio interview at Futurs (Podcast) – 30/MAY/2025
PRESENTATIONS
EcoSentinel presentation at National EIC Pathfinder Infoday in Madrid (Spain) – 04/FEB/2025 EcoSentinel presentation in Vietnam – 12/JUN/2025
PAPERS and CONFERENCES
Special Session organisation at the MetroInd4.0IoT International Conference – MAR/2025
Paper presentation at the EUCAP (European Conference on Antennas and Propagation) in Stockholm (Sweden) – 01/APR/2025
Paper presentation at Splitech Conference in Split (Croatia) – 19/JUN/2025
AWARDS
Radio Award from Revolució 4.0 program (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 18/JUN/2025
🔍 What’s Next?
As we enter the next phase (M8–M13), EcoSentinel will:
Launch experimental setups under WP2, testing plant-based technologies.
Prepare for the Proof of Concept phase in WP3.
This transition will bring us from theory to tangible innovation.
💬 A Word to Our Community
We believe that by uniting nature and technology, we can reshape the way we communicate and live sustainably.
Thank you for following our journey, we’re just getting started!
Stay tuned, stay curious, and stay connected.
👉 Follow us on social media and visit our website to explore how EcoSentinel is helping nature speak the language of the future.
January 2025
🌱 Hello World! EcoSentinel Project Launches to Revolutionize Environmental Monitoring 🌍
🌱 Hello World! EcoSentinel Project Launches to Revolutionize Environmental Monitoring 🌍
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of EcoSentinel, an ambitious project aiming to redefine our relationship with nature through cutting-edge sustainable biotechnology! 🌿✨
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of EcoSentinel, an ambitious project aiming to redefine our relationship with nature through cutting-edge sustainable biotechnology!🌿✨
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of EcoSentinel, an ambitious project aiming to redefine our relationship with nature through cutting-edge sustainable biotechnology! 🌿✨
EcoSentinel is a research project funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under the Parthfinder Open Call 2024, aimed at revolutionizing environmental monitoring through sustainable, plant-based communication networks.
EcoSentinel is a research project funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under the Parthfinder Open Call 2024, aimed at revolutionizing environmental monitoring through sustainable, plant-based communication networks.
EcoSentinel is a research project funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under the Parthfinder Open Call 2024, aimed at revolutionizing environmental monitoring through sustainable, plant-based communication networks.
EcoSentinel leverages the natural processes of living plants, turning them into self-sustained digital nodes. By harnessing plant-microbial energy harvesting and enabling wireless electromagnetic signal propagation by using the leaves of the plants, plants will serve as carbon-negative communication systems, autonomously monitoring their ecosystems.
EcoSentinel leverages the natural processes of living plants, turning them into self-sustained digital nodes. By harnessing plant-microbial energy harvesting and enabling wireless electromagnetic signal propagation by using the leaves of the plants, plants will serve as carbon-negative communication systems, autonomously monitoring their ecosystems.
EcoSentinel leverages the natural processes of living plants, turning them into self-sustained digital nodes. By harnessing plant-microbial energy harvesting and enabling wireless electromagnetic signal propagation by using the leaves of the plants, plants will serve as carbon-negative communication systems, autonomously monitoring their ecosystems.
Spanning 37 months, from December 2024 to December 2027, EcoSentinel unites leading European partners: La Salle Campus BCN - Ramon Llull University, University of Genoa, Plant-e, University Côte d'Azur, Ignion, and University of Trento. Together, these institutions bring multidisciplinary expertise to pioneer this groundbreaking technology for a more sustainable future.
Spanning 37 months, from December 2024 to December 2027, EcoSentinel unites leading European partners: La Salle Campus BCN - Ramon Llull University, University of Genoa, Plant-e, University Côte d'Azur, Ignion, and University of Trento. Together, these institutions bring multidisciplinary expertise to pioneer this groundbreaking technology for a more sustainable future.
Spanning 37 months, from December 2024 to December 2027, EcoSentinel unites leading European partners: La Salle Campus BCN - Ramon Llull University, University of Genoa, Plant-e, University Côte d'Azur, Ignion, and University of Trento. Together, these institutions bring multidisciplinary expertise to pioneer this groundbreaking technology for a more sustainable future.
Why does it matter?
Why does it matter?
As the global challenges of biosphere integrity degradation and biodiversity loss intensify, EcoSentinel envisions a groundbreaking shift—a harmonious coexistence of technological innovation and environmental conservation. This project is set to establish a community of Ecological Sentinels (EcoSentinel), pioneering a new era of digitalized plant ecosystems.
As the global challenges of biosphere integrity degradation and biodiversity loss intensify, EcoSentinel envisions a groundbreaking shift—a harmonious coexistence of technological innovation and environmental conservation. This project is set to establish a community of Ecological Sentinels (EcoSentinel), pioneering a new era of digitalized plant ecosystems.
As the global challenges of biosphere integrity degradation and biodiversity loss intensify, EcoSentinel envisions a groundbreaking shift—a harmonious coexistence of technological innovation and environmental conservation. This project is set to establish a community of Ecological Sentinels (EcoSentinel), pioneering a new era of digitalized plant ecosystems.
This revolutionary approach enhances our ability to:
Safeguard forests and ecosystems from threats like wildfires.
Monitor biodiversity and prevent critical losses.
Create Techno-Ecological Systems (TES), merging technological solutions with ecological principles for proactive planetary stewardship.
This revolutionary approach enhances our ability to:
Safeguard forests and ecosystems from threats like wildfires.
Monitor biodiversity and prevent critical losses.
Create Techno-Ecological Systems (TES), merging technological solutions with ecological principles for proactive planetary stewardship.
This revolutionary approach enhances our ability to:
Safeguard forests and ecosystems from threats like wildfires.
Monitor biodiversity and prevent critical losses.
Create Techno-Ecological Systems (TES), merging technological solutions with ecological principles for proactive planetary stewardship.
What’s next?
What’s next?
Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this journey to digitally transform natural ecosystems and introduce the world to the potential of plant-based communication networks. Together, let’s foster innovation while preserving the integrity of our planet.
Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this journey to digitally transform natural ecosystems and introduce the world to the potential of plant-based communication networks. Together, let’s foster innovation while preserving the integrity of our planet.
Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this journey to digitally transform natural ecosystems and introduce the world to the potential of plant-based communication networks. Together, let’s foster innovation while preserving the integrity of our planet.
📢 Join our Community of Knowledge for more updates as we grow our EcoSentinel community!
📢 Join our Community of Knowledge for more updates as we grow our EcoSentinel community!
📢 Join our Community of Knowledge for more updates as we grow our EcoSentinel community!
🌿 EcoSentinel – Technology and Nature in Harmony.
🌿 EcoSentinel – Technology and Nature in Harmony.
🌿 EcoSentinel – Technology and Nature in Harmony.
#EcoSentinel #Sustainability #EnvironmentalInnovation #TechForNature #DigitalPlants #eNature
#EcoSentinel #Sustainability #EnvironmentalInnovation #TechForNature #DigitalPlants #eNature
#EcoSentinel #Sustainability #EnvironmentalInnovation #TechForNature #DigitalPlants #eNature
January 2025
July - December 2025
🚀 Join Us on the Cutting Edge of EcoSentinel Innovation!🌱
🚀 Join Us on the Cutting Edge of EcoSentinel Innovation!🌱
🌿EcoSentinel Newsletter #2 – From Theory to Tangible Designs
The EcoSentinel Project is forging a groundbreaking path in sustainability by transforming plants into self-sustaining digital nodes for environmental monitoring. Our mission is to address pressing global challenges like biodiversity loss and wildfires through a harmonious blend of technological innovation and ecological conservation.
We invite you to be part of this pioneering journey and engage with the EcoSentinel community in a way that aligns with your interests and expertise.
The EcoSentinel Community of Knowledge is an inclusive network of diverse stakeholders, including:
Researchers and scientists keen to follow project developments.
SMEs and start-ups looking to integrate EcoSentinel’s innovations into their solutions.
Local authorities, communities, and federations committed to sustainability and ecological stewardship.
By joining the CoK, you’ll gain access to:
Regular updates on project progress through our newsletter.
Opportunities for collaboration and networking.
Events and workshops designed to foster knowledge exchange and collective growth.
Whether you want to stay tuned to our advancements, there’s a place for you in the EcoSentinel initiative.
📩 Get Involved Now!
The EcoSentinel Project is forging a groundbreaking path in sustainability by transforming plants into self-sustaining digital nodes for environmental monitoring. Our mission is to address pressing global challenges like biodiversity loss and wildfires through a harmonious blend of technological innovation and ecological conservation.
We invite you to be part of this pioneering journey and engage with the EcoSentinel community in a way that aligns with your interests and expertise.
The EcoSentinel Community of Knowledge is an inclusive network of diverse stakeholders, including:
Researchers and scientists keen to follow project developments.
SMEs and start-ups looking to integrate EcoSentinel’s innovations into their solutions.
Local authorities, communities, and federations committed to sustainability and ecological stewardship.
By joining the CoK, you’ll gain access to:
Regular updates on project progress through our newsletter.
Opportunities for collaboration and networking.
Events and workshops designed to foster knowledge exchange and collective growth.
Whether you want to stay tuned to our advancements, there’s a place for you in the EcoSentinel initiative.
📩 Get Involved Now!
Welcome to the second edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
In the past six months, our project has made a major leap forward transitioning from solid theoretical foundations to early experimental validations and system designs. Each work package has contributed to this evolution, bringing us closer to the first EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC), where nature-inspired innovation meets sustainable communication.
Our consortium has been active across all work packages, contributing to the project's scientific depth, communication reach, and strategic alignment.
✅Highlights from Months 8 to 13 (July – December 2025)
🧪Technical and Scientific Foundations
During this period, the project consolidated its theoretical models and transitioned into early-stage system design and testing:
D1.2 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation. Consolidated interdisciplinary models for components like antennas, biosensors, energy modules, and communication systems.
D1.3 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation. Translated theoretical models into design specifications to support experimentation.
D2.1–D2.4: First experimental results on all components validated initial hypotheses and informed system integration.
WP3 – EcoSentinel PoC Design was launched with a focus on architectural planning and integration strategy for the upcoming prototype.
🗂️ Management & Governance
WP5 – Management and Ethics ensured effective coordination and project alignment. Project Management Handbook, Financial Plan, and Data Management Plan.
The deliverable D5.5 captured progress and confirmed risk mitigation. No deviations were reported, and the project remains on track with full compliance to Horizon Europe standards.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Main communication and dissemination actions:
A major highlight was the EcoSentinel Research Symposium, hosted during the 2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 & IoT (1 – 3 July, EETAC-UPC Castelldefels, Barcelona):
📌 Special session: Techno-Natural Systems: Sustainable Wireless Communications for Ecosystem Preservation
🎤Tutorial by Prof. Jaume Anguera (Ignion): Enhancing Connectivity with Antenna Booster Technology for a Sustainable Future
📄 Six peer-reviewed papers presented, all available on IEEE Xplore
🔍 Private session with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to review early results Paper presentation at Splitech Conference in Split (Croatia) – 19/JUN/2025
NEWS
First Newsletter – JULY/2025
PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES:
Paper presentation at the URSI (XL National symposium) in Tarragona (Spain) – 5/SEP/2025
EcoSentinel presentation (online) as part of the De La Salle University Sustainability Sessions in Philippines – 29/OCT/2025 (🎥 Watch the full session here)
PAPERS:
P1. Enhancing Connectivity with Leaf-Based Ground Planes for IoT Devices Embedding Antenna Boosters
P2. Enhancing the Efficiency of IoT Devices by Ground Plane Shaping with Antenna Boosters
P3. Self-powered plant microbial fuel cell monitoring node with autonomous dynamic capacitance
P4. Stand-Alone Green Twin for Plant Microbial Fuel Cell (PMFC) Monitoring and Optimization
P5. Indoor Plant Health Monitoring System using NDVI Imaging, PMFC Sensing and Soil Moisture Data
P6. Wake-Up radio with Plant-Microbial Fuel Cells Power Budget
📄 Deliverables Submitted (sensitive deliverables are not linked)
D1.2 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation
D1.3 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation
D2.1 – Results on Plants as Antennas
D2.2 – Results on Plants as Energy Sources
D2.3 – Results on Plants as Communication Systems
D2.4 – Results on Plants as Living Biosensors
D5.5 – Reporting, Risk and Quality Assessment Plan (v2)
🔍 What’s Next?
The project enters an important phase with the design and implementation of the EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC).
Next steps include:
Final integration of components tested in WP2
Initial prototype assembly and evaluation under WP3
General Assembly at Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA) in January 2026
Expansion of communication activities via new articles and updates from the Symposium
💬 A Word to Our Community
The EcoSentinel consortium is proud of the progress achieved and inspired by the scientific dialogue generated so far.
As we move into the PoC phase, we thank all our partners, advisors, and readers for supporting this vision. Together, we’re making nature-powered digital systems a reality.
🔗 Stay connected and follow us on
🌐 Website: ecosentinel.eu
💼 LinkedIn: EcoSentinel Project
📸 Instagram: EcoSentinel Project
🎵 TikTok: EcoSentinel Project
January (M14) – June 2026 (M19)
🌿EcoSentinel Newsletter #3 – From Integration to a New Research Cycle
Welcome to the third edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
The first half of 2026 has marked an important milestone in the EcoSentinel journey. After building the scientific foundations and experimentally exploring plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors, the project has taken a major step forward: integrating these different components into the first EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC).
At the same time, the consortium successfully completed its Midterm Review and launched the second research cycle, using the knowledge gained during the first phase to refine our scientific models, designs and experiments.
Our journey continues: from understanding individual components to developing integrated plant-based digital systems.
✅Highlights from Months 14 to 19 (January – June 2026)
🧪Technical and Scientific Foundations
During this period, EcoSentinel reached one of its most important technical milestones so far: the design, assembly and validation of the first integrated EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC_v1).
The work carried out under WP3 brought together the models, designs and experimental results previously developed in WP1 and WP2. This process was documented through three key deliverables:
D3.1 – Design of the EcoSentinel PoC v1, which defined the system architecture, integration strategy, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and experimental plan for combining the different EcoSentinel components into a unified plant-based node.
D3.2 – PoC Elements Description v1, providing the detailed technical description of the individual elements selected for integration into the first Proof of Concept.
D3.3 – Results on the EcoSentinel PoC v1, presenting the implementation, testing and experimental validation of the first integrated system.
Three complementary research areas were progressively brought together:
Plants as Antennas, exploring how plant characteristics influence antenna performance.
Plants as Energy Sources and Communication Systems, combining Plant-Microbial Fuel Cells (P-MFCs), ultra-low-power electronics and wireless communication.
Plants as Living Biosensors, investigating how plant-soil-microbe interactions and electrical measurements can provide information about plant status.
Together, these elements form the basis of a self-powered plant-based sensing and communication node (Figure 1). The experimental results reported in D3.3 confirmed the technical feasibility of this approach, demonstrating that bio-harvested energy can support sensing and wireless data transmission within an integrated EcoSentinel system.
The completion of PoC_v1 also marked the conclusion of the first EcoSentinel research cycle and the transition towards a new stage of scientific refinement.
🔄 Cycle 2 begins
Building on the knowledge and experimental evidence generated during Cycle 1, EcoSentinel has now started its second research cycle, returning to the project's theoretical foundations and designs to refine the four main technological pillars:
Plants as Antennas
Plants as Energy Sources
Plants as Communication Systems
Plants as Living Biosensors
Two new deliverables capture this evolution:
D1.4 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation v2, which revisits and updates the scientific models developed during the first cycle. The new framework moves towards understanding plants as integrated biohybrid systems, where physiology, water relations, environmental variability and plant-soil-microbe interactions can simultaneously influence sensing, electromagnetic behaviour, energy generation and communication.
D1.5 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation v2, which translates these updated scientific foundations into revised designs and validation strategies for the next generation of experiments.
One important lesson emerging from Cycle 1 is that the four EcoSentinel pillars cannot be understood entirely in isolation. For example, plant water content has emerged as a particularly relevant variable connecting plant physiology with electromagnetic behaviour and other system functionalities. This more integrated perspective will guide the project's next scientific developments.
Based on these updated foundations and designs, the consortium has also begun defining the second cycle of WP2 experiments, which will further investigate and validate plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors.
🗂️ Management & Governance
The consortium prepared D5.6 – RP1 Technical/Scientific Review Meeting Documents, consolidating the main scientific and technical results achieved during the first reporting period.
In February 2026, EcoSentinel underwent its Midterm Review with the European Commission Project Officer and external experts.
The review was successfully completed, confirming the project's progress and allowing EcoSentinel to continue its research programme and move into the next development cycle.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Main communication and dissemination actions:
3rd EcoSentinel General Meeting [Nice, France] 28–29/JAN/2026
The EcoSentinel consortium gathered at LEAT (Laboratoire d'Électronique, Antennes et Télécommunications), Université Côte d’Azur, at the SophiaTech Campus in Nice.
The meeting focused on reviewing the experiments performed under WP2, integrating the different components developed by the partners and preparing the first Proof of Concept.
A particularly important milestone was achieved during the meeting: the first EcoSentinel node was assembled.
The consortium conducted initial communication tests, evaluated the photosynthetic performance of the plants and prepared new propagation experiments.
EcoSentinel Task Force: Plants as Antennas
Researchers from Ignion and the University of Genoa met at Ignion's facilities in Barcelona to continue their joint research on Plants as Antennas.
The collaboration combines expertise in antenna engineering, plant physiology and botany to investigate how living plant tissues and Antenna Booster Technology can work together as part of future wireless communication systems.
During this semester, EcoSentinel also launched the “Meet the Researchers” campaign on LinkedIn, introducing some of the people behind the multidisciplinary research carried out within the project. Between January and June, we introduced:
More researchers will be joining the series in the coming months!
NEWS
Second Newsletter – JAN/2026
PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES
EcoSentinel at PI STORIES 2026 – 28/MAY/2026
Project Coordinator Alan Briones presented EcoSentinel as part of the PI STORIES 2026 seminar series, organised by the UniTrento IECS Doctoral School in Information Engineering and Computer Science.
The seminar introduced students, researchers and attendees to EcoSentinel's vision of digitally interconnected plants combining biological processes, energy harvesting and wireless communications.
A new research contribution entitled: “Propagation Modeling and Experimental Validation for Ultra-Low-Power Plant Communication Nodes with Leaf-Integrated Antenna Booster” was submitted for presentation at the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting, taking place in Detroit, USA, from 12–17 July 2026.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
“The Origin of Dielectric Permittivity in Plants”, by Margherita Festa, Marta Pianta, Pavel Miškovský, Esha Niaz, Jaume Anguera, Enrica Roccotiello and Armando Carpaneto.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067), Section Molecular Plant Sciences.
This research explores the physical mechanisms behind dielectric permittivity in plant tissues, an important property for understanding how electromagnetic waves interact with living plants.
The findings contribute to improving the scientific models used to investigate plants as part of wireless antenna systems, helping EcoSentinel better understand how biological characteristics can influence electromagnetic behaviour.
📄 Deliverables Submitted (sensitive deliverables are not linked)
D3.1 – Design of the EcoSentinel PoC v1
D3.2 – PoC Elements Description v1 – Not public (Sensitive)
D3.3 – Results on the EcoSentinel PoC v1
D1.4 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation v2
D1.5 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation v2 – Not public (Sensitive)
D5.6 – RP1 Technical/Scientific Review Meeting Documents – Not public (Sensitive)
🔍 What’s Next?
The next months will continue this transition into Cycle 2, with new experiments designed to refine and extend the results obtained so far.
Next steps include:
Continuing the second cycle of WP2 experiments on plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors.
Holding the 4th EcoSentinel General Meeting, hosted by the University of Genoa on 8-9 July 2026.
Meeting again with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to present project progress, discuss the first Proof of Concept and gather recommendations for the next research phase.
Hosting an EcoSentinel Open Seminar to share the project's scientific progress with students, researchers and the wider community.
Presenting “Propagation Modeling and Experimental Validation for Ultra-Low-Power Plant Communication Nodes with Leaf-Integrated Antenna Booster” at IEEE AP-S/URSI 2026 in Detroit.
Presenting the EcoSentinel project on 21 July 2026 at the Urban Ecological Security and Sustainability Annual Workshop (UESS), an international event jointly organized by Suffolk University (Boston, USA) and Fudan University (Shanghai, China), two institutions of internationally recognized prestige.
The project is now moving from its first integrated demonstration towards more refined models, new experiments and increasingly advanced plant-based communication systems.
💬 A Word to Our Community
The EcoSentinel community continues to grow alongside the project.
We would like to thank all our partners, researchers, advisors, collaborators and followers for supporting our work and following the discoveries emerging from this ambitious interdisciplinary journey.
With the first Proof of Concept successfully demonstrated and Cycle 2 already underway, an exciting new phase of EcoSentinel research has begun.
Stay connected, stay curious and keep growing with us. 🌱
There are many more discoveries ahead.
🔗 Stay connected and follow us on
🌐 Website: ecosentinel.eu
💼 LinkedIn: EcoSentinel Project
📸 Instagram: EcoSentinel Project
🎵 TikTok: EcoSentinel Project
Figure 1. Extended view of the whole setup for EcoSentinel's PoC_v1 at UniCA. The dashboard with data reception can be seen in the smart screens.
July - December 2025
🌿EcoSentinel Newsletter #2 – From Theory to Tangible Designs
Welcome to the second edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
In the past six months, our project has made a major leap forward transitioning from solid theoretical foundations to early experimental validations and system designs. Each work package has contributed to this evolution, bringing us closer to the first EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC), where nature-inspired innovation meets sustainable communication.
Our consortium has been active across all work packages, contributing to the project's scientific depth, communication reach, and strategic alignment.
✅Highlights from Months 8 to 13 (July – December 2025)
🧪Technical and Scientific Foundations
During this period, the project consolidated its theoretical models and transitioned into early-stage system design and testing:
D1.2 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation. Consolidated interdisciplinary models for components like antennas, biosensors, energy modules, and communication systems.
D1.3 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation. Translated theoretical models into design specifications to support experimentation.
D2.1–D2.4: First experimental results on all components validated initial hypotheses and informed system integration.
WP3 – EcoSentinel PoC Design was launched with a focus on architectural planning and integration strategy for the upcoming prototype.
🗂️ Management & Governance
WP5 – Management and Ethics ensured effective coordination and project alignment. Project Management Handbook, Financial Plan, and Data Management Plan.
The deliverable D5.5 captured progress and confirmed risk mitigation. No deviations were reported, and the project remains on track with full compliance to Horizon Europe standards.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Main communication and dissemination actions:
A major highlight was the EcoSentinel Research Symposium, hosted during the 2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 & IoT (1 – 3 July, EETAC-UPC Castelldefels, Barcelona):
📌 Special session: Techno-Natural Systems: Sustainable Wireless Communications for Ecosystem Preservation
🎤Tutorial by Prof. Jaume Anguera (Ignion): Enhancing Connectivity with Antenna Booster Technology for a Sustainable Future
📄 Six peer-reviewed papers presented, all available on IEEE Xplore
🔍 Private session with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to review early results Paper presentation at Splitech Conference in Split (Croatia) – 19/JUN/2025
NEWS
First Newsletter – JULY/2025
PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES:
Paper presentation at the URSI (XL National symposium) in Tarragona (Spain) – 5/SEP/2025
EcoSentinel presentation (online) as part of the De La Salle University Sustainability Sessions in Philippines – 29/OCT/2025 (🎥 Watch the full session here)
PAPERS:
P1. Enhancing Connectivity with Leaf-Based Ground Planes for IoT Devices Embedding Antenna Boosters
P2. Enhancing the Efficiency of IoT Devices by Ground Plane Shaping with Antenna Boosters
P3. Self-powered plant microbial fuel cell monitoring node with autonomous dynamic capacitance
P4. Stand-Alone Green Twin for Plant Microbial Fuel Cell (PMFC) Monitoring and Optimization
P5. Indoor Plant Health Monitoring System using NDVI Imaging, PMFC Sensing and Soil Moisture Data
P6. Wake-Up radio with Plant-Microbial Fuel Cells Power Budget
📄 Deliverables Submitted
(sensitive deliverables are not linked)
D1.2 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation
D1.3 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation
D2.1 – Results on Plants as Antennas
D2.2 – Results on Plants as Energy Sources
D2.3 – Results on Plants as Communication Systems
D2.4–Results on Plants as Living Biosensors
D5.5–Reporting, Risk and Quality Assessment Plan (v2)
🔍 What’s Next?
The project enters an important phase with the design and implementation of the EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC).
Next steps include:
Final integration of components tested in WP2
Initial prototype assembly and evaluation under WP3
General Assembly at Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA) in January 2026
Expansion of communication activities via new articles and updates from the Symposium
💬 A Word to Our Community
The EcoSentinel consortium is proud of the progress achieved and inspired by the scientific dialogue generated so far.
As we move into the PoC phase, we thank all our partners, advisors, and readers for supporting this vision. Together, we’re making nature-powered digital systems a reality.
🔗 Stay connected and follow us on
🌐 Website: ecosentinel.eu
💼 LinkedIn: EcoSentinel Project
📸 Instagram: EcoSentinel Project
🎵 TikTok: EcoSentinel Project
January (M14) – June 2026 (M19)
🌿EcoSentinel Newsletter #3 – From Integration to a New Research Cycle
Welcome to the third edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
The first half of 2026 has marked an important milestone in the EcoSentinel journey. After building the scientific foundations and experimentally exploring plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors, the project has taken a major step forward: integrating these different components into the first EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC).
At the same time, the consortium successfully completed its Midterm Review and launched the second research cycle, using the knowledge gained during the first phase to refine our scientific models, designs and experiments.
Our journey continues: from understanding individual components to developing integrated plant-based digital systems.
✅ Highlights from Months 14 to 19 (January – June 2026)
🧪Technical and Scientific Foundations
During this period, EcoSentinel reached one of its most important technical milestones so far: the design, assembly and validation of the first integrated EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC_v1).
The work carried out under WP3 brought together the models, designs and experimental results previously developed in WP1 and WP2. This process was documented through three key deliverables:
D3.1 – Design of the EcoSentinel PoC v1, which defined the system architecture, integration strategy, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and experimental plan for combining the different EcoSentinel components into a unified plant-based node.
D3.2 – PoC Elements Description v1, providing the detailed technical description of the individual elements selected for integration into the first Proof of Concept.
D3.3 – Results on the EcoSentinel PoC v1, presenting the implementation, testing and experimental validation of the first integrated system.
Three complementary research areas were progressively brought together:
Plants as Antennas, exploring how plant characteristics influence antenna performance.
Plants as Energy Sources and Communication Systems, combining Plant-Microbial Fuel Cells (P-MFCs), ultra-low-power electronics and wireless communication.
Plants as Living Biosensors, investigating how plant-soil-microbe interactions and electrical measurements can provide information about plant status.
Together, these elements form the basis of a self-powered plant-based sensing and communication node (Figure 1). The experimental results reported in D3.3 confirmed the technical feasibility of this approach, demonstrating that bio-harvested energy can support sensing and wireless data transmission within an integrated EcoSentinel system.
The completion of PoC_v1 also marked the conclusion of the first EcoSentinel research cycle and the transition towards a new stage of scientific refinement.
🔄 Cycle 2 begins
Building on the knowledge and experimental evidence generated during Cycle 1, EcoSentinel has now started its second research cycle, returning to the project's theoretical foundations and designs to refine the four main technological pillars:
• Plants as Antennas
• Plants as Energy Sources
• Plants as Communication Systems
• Plants as Living Biosensors
Two new deliverables capture this evolution:
• D1.4 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation v2, which revisits and updates the scientific models developed during the first cycle. The new framework moves towards understanding plants as integrated biohybrid systems, where physiology, water relations, environmental variability and plant-soil-microbe interactions can simultaneously influence sensing, electromagnetic behaviour, energy generation and communication.
• D1.5 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation v2, which translates these updated scientific foundations into revised designs and validation strategies for the next generation of experiments.
One important lesson emerging from Cycle 1 is that the four EcoSentinel pillars cannot be understood entirely in isolation. For example, plant water content has emerged as a particularly relevant variable connecting plant physiology with electromagnetic behaviour and other system functionalities. This more integrated perspective will guide the project's next scientific developments.
Based on these updated foundations and designs, the consortium has also begun defining the second cycle of WP2 experiments, which will further investigate and validate plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors.
🗂️ Management & Governance
The consortium prepared D5.6 – RP1 Technical/Scientific Review Meeting Documents, consolidating the main scientific and technical results achieved during the first reporting period.
In February 2026, EcoSentinel underwent its Midterm Review with the European Commission Project Officer and external experts.
The review was successfully completed, confirming the project's progress and allowing EcoSentinel to continue its research programme and move into the next development cycle.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Main communication and dissemination actions:
3rd EcoSentinel General Meeting [Nice, France] 28–29/JAN/2026
The EcoSentinel consortium gathered at LEAT (Laboratoire d'Électronique, Antennes et Télécommunications), Université Côte d’Azur, at the SophiaTech Campus in Nice.
The meeting focused on reviewing the experiments performed under WP2, integrating the different components developed by the partners and preparing the first Proof of Concept.
A particularly important milestone was achieved during the meeting: the first EcoSentinel node was assembled.
The consortium conducted initial communication tests, evaluated the photosynthetic performance of the plants and prepared new propagation experiments.
EcoSentinel Task Force: Plants as Antennas
Researchers from Ignion and the University of Genoa met at Ignion's facilities in Barcelona to continue their joint research on Plants as Antennas.
The collaboration combines expertise in antenna engineering, plant physiology and botany to investigate how living plant tissues and Antenna Booster Technology can work together as part of future wireless communication systems.
During this semester, EcoSentinel also launched the “Meet the Researchers” campaign on LinkedIn, introducing some of the people behind the multidisciplinary research carried out within the project. Between January and June, we introduced:
More researchers will be joining the series in the coming months!
NEWS
Second Newsletter – JAN/2026
PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES
EcoSentinel at PI STORIES 2026 – 28/MAY/2026
Project Coordinator Alan Briones presented EcoSentinel as part of the PI STORIES 2026 seminar series, organised by the UniTrento IECS Doctoral School in Information Engineering and Computer Science.
The seminar introduced students, researchers and attendees to EcoSentinel's vision of digitally interconnected plants combining biological processes, energy harvesting and wireless communications.
A new research contribution entitled: “Propagation Modeling and Experimental Validation for Ultra-Low-Power Plant Communication Nodes with Leaf-Integrated Antenna Booster” was submitted for presentation at the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting, taking place in Detroit, USA, from 12–17 July 2026.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
“The Origin of Dielectric Permittivity in Plants”, by Margherita Festa, Marta Pianta, Pavel Miškovský, Esha Niaz, Jaume Anguera, Enrica Roccotiello and Armando Carpaneto.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067), Section Molecular Plant Sciences.
This research explores the physical mechanisms behind dielectric permittivity in plant tissues, an important property for understanding how electromagnetic waves interact with living plants.
The findings contribute to improving the scientific models used to investigate plants as part of wireless antenna systems, helping EcoSentinel better understand how biological characteristics can influence electromagnetic behaviour.
📄 Deliverables Submitted
(sensitive deliverables are not linked)
D3.1 – Design of the EcoSentinel PoC v1
D3.2 – PoC Elements Description v1 – Not public (Sensitive)
D3.3 – Results on the EcoSentinel PoC v1
D1.4 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation v2
D1.5 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation v2 – Not public (Sensitive)
D5.6 – RP1 Technical/Scientific Review Meeting Documents – Not public (Sensitive)
🔍 What’s Next?
The next months will continue this transition into Cycle 2, with new experiments designed to refine and extend the results obtained so far.
Next steps include:
Continuing the second cycle of WP2 experiments on plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors.
Holding the 4th EcoSentinel General Meeting, hosted by the University of Genoa on 8-9 July 2026.
Meeting again with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to present project progress, discuss the first Proof of Concept and gather recommendations for the next research phase.
Hosting an EcoSentinel Open Seminar to share the project's scientific progress with students, researchers and the wider community.
Presenting “Propagation Modeling and Experimental Validation for Ultra-Low-Power Plant Communication Nodes with Leaf-Integrated Antenna Booster” at IEEE AP-S/URSI 2026 in Detroit.
Presenting the EcoSentinel project on 21 July 2026 at the Urban Ecological Security and Sustainability Annual Workshop (UESS), an international event jointly organized by Suffolk University (Boston, USA) and Fudan University (Shanghai, China), two institutions of internationally recognized prestige.
The project is now moving from its first integrated demonstration towards more refined models, new experiments and increasingly advanced plant-based communication systems.
💬 A Word to Our Community
The EcoSentinel community continues to grow alongside the project.
We would like to thank all our partners, researchers, advisors, collaborators and followers for supporting our work and following the discoveries emerging from this ambitious interdisciplinary journey.
With the first Proof of Concept successfully demonstrated and Cycle 2 already underway, an exciting new phase of EcoSentinel research has begun.
Stay connected, stay curious and keep growing with us. 🌱
There are many more discoveries ahead.
🔗 Stay connected and follow us on
🌐 Website: ecosentinel.eu
💼 LinkedIn: EcoSentinel Project
📸 Instagram: EcoSentinel Project
🎵 TikTok: EcoSentinel Project
Figure 1. Extended view of the whole setup for EcoSentinel's PoC_v1 at UniCA. The dashboard with data reception can be seen in the smart screens.
January 2025
🚀 Join Us on the Cutting Edge of EcoSentinel Innovation!🌱
The EcoSentinel Project is forging a groundbreaking path in sustainability by transforming plants into self-sustaining digital nodes for environmental monitoring. Our mission is to address pressing global challenges like biodiversity loss and wildfires through a harmonious blend of technological innovation and ecological conservation.
We invite you to be part of this pioneering journey and engage with the EcoSentinel community in a way that aligns with your interests and expertise.
The EcoSentinel Community of Knowledge is an inclusive network of diverse stakeholders, including:
Researchers and scientists keen to follow project developments.
SMEs and start-ups looking to integrate EcoSentinel’s innovations into their solutions.
Local authorities, communities, and federations committed to sustainability and ecological stewardship.
By joining the CoK, you’ll gain access to:
Regular updates on project progress through our newsletter.
Opportunities for collaboration and networking.
Events and workshops designed to foster knowledge exchange and collective growth.
Whether you want to stay tuned to our advancements, there’s a place for you in the EcoSentinel initiative.
📩 Get Involved Now!
January (M14) – June 2026 (M19)
January (M14) – June 2026 (M19)
🌿EcoSentinel Newsletter #3 – From Integration to a New Research Cycle
🌿EcoSentinel Newsletter #3 – From Integration to a New Research Cycle
Welcome to the third edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
The first half of 2026 has marked an important milestone in the EcoSentinel journey. After building the scientific foundations and experimentally exploring plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors, the project has taken a major step forward: integrating these different components into the first EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC).
At the same time, the consortium successfully completed its Midterm Review and launched the second research cycle, using the knowledge gained during the first phase to refine our scientific models, designs and experiments.
Our journey continues: from understanding individual components to developing integrated plant-based digital systems.
✅Highlights from Months 14 to 19 (January – June 2026)
🧪 Technical and Scientific Foundations
During this period, EcoSentinel reached one of its most important technical milestones so far: the design, assembly and validation of the first integrated EcoSentinel Proof of Concept (PoC_v1).
The work carried out under WP3 brought together the models, designs and experimental results previously developed in WP1 and WP2. This process was documented through three key deliverables:
D3.1 – Design of the EcoSentinel PoC v1, which defined the system architecture, integration strategy, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and experimental plan for combining the different EcoSentinel components into a unified plant-based node.
D3.2 – PoC Elements Description v1, providing the detailed technical description of the individual elements selected for integration into the first Proof of Concept.
D3.3 – Results on the EcoSentinel PoC v1, presenting the implementation, testing and experimental validation of the first integrated system.
Three complementary research areas were progressively brought together:
Plants as Antennas, exploring how plant characteristics influence antenna performance.
Plants as Energy Sources and Communication Systems, combining Plant-Microbial Fuel Cells (P-MFCs), ultra-low-power electronics and wireless communication.
Plants as Living Biosensors, investigating how plant-soil-microbe interactions and electrical measurements can provide information about plant status.
Together, these elements form the basis of a self-powered plant-based sensing and communication node (Figure 1). The experimental results reported in D3.3 confirmed the technical feasibility of this approach, demonstrating that bio-harvested energy can support sensing and wireless data transmission within an integrated EcoSentinel system.
The completion of PoC_v1 also marked the conclusion of the first EcoSentinel research cycle and the transition towards a new stage of scientific refinement.
Welcome to the first edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
EcoSentinel is a visionary research initiative funded under the European Innovation Council (EIC). Its mission: to transform the natural world into a critical player in digital sustainability. By exploring how plants can function as antennas, sensors, energy sources, and wireless communication systems, EcoSentinel is redefining how we harness nature to build a more connected and eco-conscious future.
In our first seven months, we’ve worked hard to build a strong foundation (technically, administratively, and scientifically). Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished so far.
✅ Highlights from Months 1 to 7 (Dec 2024 – June 2025)
🧪Technical and Scientific Foundations
Kick-off Meeting and Interdisciplinary Seminars. Hosted by Plant-e, these events set the stage for deep collaboration across the different disciplines present in the project.
Definition of the EcoSentinel Research Requirements. A cornerstone deliverable that defines how plants will be modeled as antennas, energy sources, biosensors, and communication systems.
Experimental planning began, setting the groundwork for testing plant-based digital components.
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) established. A panel of international experts guiding project excellence and vision.
🗂️ Management & Governance
Consortium Agreement Signed. Formalized the project’s internal structure and partner roles.
Project Management Handbook, Financial Plan, and Data Management Plan. Ensured transparency, coordination, and ethical data practices.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Visual Identity Developed (Logo, Brand Book, Website). The EcoSentinel brand was born.
Community of Knowledge (CoK) launched. A collaborative and transdisciplinary space to connect with stakeholders and share findings.
Organization of the EcoSentinel Research Symposium. In fact, the event has already taken place. Held from 1–3 July 2025 in Castelldefels (Barcelona) as part of the 2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 & IoT (MetroInd4.0&IoT). The event brought together partners and external experts for strategic discussions and exchange on the future of bio-inspired technology. In addition to internal sessions, technical papers emerging from EcoSentinel’s early-stage research were presented as part of the conference programme, giving visibility to the project's scientific contributions within the international community.
📢 After the summer break, a full news article will be published on our website to highlight the outcomes and insights from the event in greater detail.
Main communication and dissemination actions:
NEWS
Hello world (EcoSentinel website) – JAN/2025
Kick-off meeting and Seminars at Plant-e (The Netherlands) – 25/JAN/2025
VIDEOS
1 minute promotion video – 21/MAR/2025
INTERVIEWS
Radio interview at Hombros de Gigantes (Spanish Radio program at RNE3) – 01/DEC/2024
Radio interview at Revolució 4.0 (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 15/JAN/2025 Radio interview at Futurs (Podcast) – 30/MAY/2025
PRESENTATIONS
EcoSentinel presentation at National EIC Pathfinder Infoday in Madrid (Spain) – 04/FEB/2025 EcoSentinel presentation in Vietnam – 12/JUN/2025
PAPERS and CONFERENCES
Special Session organisation at the MetroInd4.0IoT International Conference – MAR/2025
Paper presentation at the EUCAP (European Conference on Antennas and Propagation) in Stockholm (Sweden) – 01/APR/2025
Paper presentation at Splitech Conference in Split (Croatia) – 19/JUN/2025
AWARDS
Radio Award from Revolució 4.0 program (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 18/JUN/2025
🔍 What’s Next?
As we enter the next phase (M8–M13), EcoSentinel will:
Launch experimental setups under WP2, testing plant-based technologies.
Prepare for the Proof of Concept phase in WP3.
This transition will bring us from theory to tangible innovation.
💬 A Word to Our Community
We believe that by uniting nature and technology, we can reshape the way we communicate and live sustainably.
Thank you for following our journey, we’re just getting started!
Stay tuned, stay curious, and stay connected.
👉 Follow us on social media and visit our website to explore how EcoSentinel is helping nature speak the language of the future.
🔄Cycle 2 begins
Building on the knowledge and experimental evidence generated during Cycle 1, EcoSentinel has now started its second research cycle, returning to the project's theoretical foundations and designs to refine the four main technological pillars:
Plants as Antennas
Plants as Energy Sources
Plants as Communication Systems
Plants as Living Biosensors
Two new deliverables capture this evolution:
D1.4 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation v2, which revisits and updates the scientific models developed during the first cycle. The new framework moves towards understanding plants as integrated biohybrid systems, where physiology, water relations, environmental variability and plant-soil-microbe interactions can simultaneously influence sensing, electromagnetic behaviour, energy generation and communication.
D1.5 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation v2, which translates these updated scientific foundations into revised designs and validation strategies for the next generation of experiments.
One important lesson emerging from Cycle 1 is that the four EcoSentinel pillars cannot be understood entirely in isolation. For example, plant water content has emerged as a particularly relevant variable connecting plant physiology with electromagnetic behaviour and other system functionalities. This more integrated perspective will guide the project's next scientific developments.
Based on these updated foundations and designs, the consortium has also begun defining the second cycle of WP2 experiments, which will further investigate and validate plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors.
🗂️ Management & Governance
The consortium prepared D5.6 – RP1 Technical/Scientific Review Meeting Documents, consolidating the main scientific and technical results achieved during the first reporting period.
In February 2026, EcoSentinel underwent its Midterm Review with the European Commission Project Officer and external experts.
The review was successfully completed, confirming the project's progress and allowing EcoSentinel to continue its research programme and move into the next development cycle.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Main communication and dissemination actions:
3rd EcoSentinel General Meeting [Nice, France] 28–29/JAN/2026
The EcoSentinel consortium gathered at LEAT (Laboratoire d'Électronique, Antennes et Télécommunications), Université Côte d’Azur, at the SophiaTech Campus in Nice.
The meeting focused on reviewing the experiments performed under WP2, integrating the different components developed by the partners and preparing the first Proof of Concept.
A particularly important milestone was achieved during the meeting: the first EcoSentinel node was assembled.
The consortium conducted initial communication tests, evaluated the photosynthetic performance of the plants and prepared new propagation experiments.
EcoSentinel Task Force: Plants as Antennas
Researchers from Ignion and the University of Genoa met at Ignion's facilities in Barcelona to continue their joint research on Plants as Antennas.
The collaboration combines expertise in antenna engineering, plant physiology and botany to investigate how living plant tissues and Antenna Booster Technology can work together as part of future wireless communication systems.
During this semester, EcoSentinel also launched the “Meet the Researchers” campaign on LinkedIn, introducing some of the people behind the multidisciplinary research carried out within the project. Between January and June, we introduced:
More researchers will be joining the series in the coming months!
NEWS:
Second Newsletter – JAN/2026
PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES:
EcoSentinel at PI STORIES 2026 – 28/MAY/2026
Project Coordinator Alan Briones presented EcoSentinel as part of the PI STORIES 2026 seminar series, organised by the UniTrento IECS Doctoral School in Information Engineering and Computer Science.
The seminar introduced students, researchers and attendees to EcoSentinel's vision of digitally interconnected plants combining biological processes, energy harvesting and wireless communications.
A new research contribution entitled: “Propagation Modeling and Experimental Validation for Ultra-Low-Power Plant Communication Nodes with Leaf-Integrated Antenna Booster” was submitted for presentation at the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting, taking place in Detroit, USA, from 12–17 July 2026.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
“The Origin of Dielectric Permittivity in Plants”, by Margherita Festa, Marta Pianta, Pavel Miškovský, Esha Niaz, Jaume Anguera, Enrica Roccotiello and Armando Carpaneto.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067), Section Molecular Plant Sciences.
This research explores the physical mechanisms behind dielectric permittivity in plant tissues, an important property for understanding how electromagnetic waves interact with living plants.
The findings contribute to improving the scientific models used to investigate plants as part of wireless antenna systems, helping EcoSentinel better understand how biological characteristics can influence electromagnetic behaviour.
📄 Deliverables Submitted (sensitive deliverables are not linked)
D3.1 – Design of the EcoSentinel PoC v1
D3.2 – PoC Elements Description v1 – Not public (Sensitive)
D3.3 – Results on the EcoSentinel PoC v1
D1.4 – Theoretical Foundations on Plants’ Digitalisation v2
D1.5 – Designs on Plants’ Digitalisation v2 – Not public (Sensitive)
D5.6 – RP1 Technical/Scientific Review Meeting Documents – Not public (Sensitive)
🔍 What’s Next?
The next months will continue this transition into Cycle 2, with new experiments designed to refine and extend the results obtained so far.
Next steps include:
Continuing the second cycle of WP2 experiments on plants as antennas, energy sources, communication systems and living biosensors.
Holding the 4th EcoSentinel General Meeting, hosted by the University of Genoa on 8-9 July 2026.
Meeting again with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to present project progress, discuss the first Proof of Concept and gather recommendations for the next research phase.
Hosting an EcoSentinel Open Seminar to share the project's scientific progress with students, researchers and the wider community.
Presenting “Propagation Modeling and Experimental Validation for Ultra-Low-Power Plant Communication Nodes with Leaf-Integrated Antenna Booster” at IEEE AP-S/URSI 2026 in Detroit.
Presenting the EcoSentinel project on 21 July 2026 at the Urban Ecological Security and Sustainability Annual Workshop (UESS), an international event jointly organized by Suffolk University (Boston, USA) and Fudan University (Shanghai, China), two institutions of internationally recognized prestige.
The project is now moving from its first integrated demonstration towards more refined models, new experiments and increasingly advanced plant-based communication systems.
💬 A Word to Our Community
The EcoSentinel community continues to grow alongside the project.
We would like to thank all our partners, researchers, advisors, collaborators and followers for supporting our work and following the discoveries emerging from this ambitious interdisciplinary journey.
With the first Proof of Concept successfully demonstrated and Cycle 2 already underway, an exciting new phase of EcoSentinel research has begun.
Stay connected, stay curious and keep growing with us. 🌱
There are many more discoveries ahead.
🔗 Stay connected and follow us on
🌐 Website: ecosentinel.eu
💼 LinkedIn: EcoSentinel Project
📸 Instagram: EcoSentinel Project
🎵 TikTok: EcoSentinel Project
Welcome to the first edition of the EcoSentinel newsletter!
EcoSentinel is a visionary research initiative funded under the European Innovation Council (EIC). Its mission: to transform the natural world into a critical player in digital sustainability. By exploring how plants can function as antennas, sensors, energy sources, and wireless communication systems, EcoSentinel is redefining how we harness nature to build a more connected and eco-conscious future.
In our first seven months, we’ve worked hard to build a strong foundation (technically, administratively, and scientifically). Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished so far.
✅ Highlights from Months 1 to 7 (Dec 2024 – June 2025)
🧪Technical and Scientific Foundations
Kick-off Meeting and Interdisciplinary Seminars. Hosted by Plant-e, these events set the stage for deep collaboration across the different disciplines present in the project.
Definition of the EcoSentinel Research Requirements. A cornerstone deliverable that defines how plants will be modeled as antennas, energy sources, biosensors, and communication systems.
Experimental planning began, setting the groundwork for testing plant-based digital components.
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) established. A panel of international experts guiding project excellence and vision.
🗂️ Management & Governance
Consortium Agreement Signed. Formalized the project’s internal structure and partner roles.
Project Management Handbook, Financial Plan, and Data Management Plan. Ensured transparency, coordination, and ethical data practices.
📣 Communication, Dissemination & Community Engagement
Visual Identity Developed (Logo, Brand Book, Website). The EcoSentinel brand was born.
Community of Knowledge (CoK) launched. A collaborative and transdisciplinary space to connect with stakeholders and share findings.
Organization of the EcoSentinel Research Symposium. In fact, the event has already taken place. Held from 1–3 July 2025 in Castelldefels (Barcelona) as part of the 2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 & IoT (MetroInd4.0&IoT). The event brought together partners and external experts for strategic discussions and exchange on the future of bio-inspired technology. In addition to internal sessions, technical papers emerging from EcoSentinel’s early-stage research were presented as part of the conference programme, giving visibility to the project's scientific contributions within the international community.
📢 After the summer break, a full news article will be published on our website to highlight the outcomes and insights from the event in greater detail.
Main communication and dissemination actions:
NEWS
Hello world (EcoSentinel website) – JAN/2025
Kick-off meeting and Seminars at Plant-e (The Netherlands) – 25/JAN/2025
VIDEOS
1 minute promotion video – 21/MAR/2025
INTERVIEWS
Radio interview at Hombros de Gigantes (Spanish Radio program at RNE3) – 01/DEC/2024
Radio interview at Revolució 4.0 (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 15/JAN/2025 Radio interview at Futurs (Podcast) – 30/MAY/2025
PRESENTATIONS
EcoSentinel presentation at National EIC Pathfinder Infoday in Madrid (Spain) – 04/FEB/2025 EcoSentinel presentation in Vietnam – 12/JUN/2025
PAPERS and CONFERENCES
Special Session organisation at the MetroInd4.0IoT International Conference – MAR/2025
Paper presentation at the EUCAP (European Conference on Antennas and Propagation) in Stockholm (Sweden) – 01/APR/2025
Paper presentation at Splitech Conference in Split (Croatia) – 19/JUN/2025
AWARDS
Radio Award from Revolució 4.0 program (Catalan (regional) radio program at CatalunyaRadio) – 18/JUN/2025
🔍 What’s Next?
As we enter the next phase (M8–M13), EcoSentinel will:
Launch experimental setups under WP2, testing plant-based technologies.
Prepare for the Proof of Concept phase in WP3.
This transition will bring us from theory to tangible innovation.
💬 A Word to Our Community
We believe that by uniting nature and technology, we can reshape the way we communicate and live sustainably.
Thank you for following our journey, we’re just getting started!
Stay tuned, stay curious, and stay connected.
👉 Follow us on social media and visit our website to explore how EcoSentinel is helping nature speak the language of the future.
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