ATHENA proposal aims to the development, manufacturing and optimization of a new generation of Thermoelectric Hierarchical Composite Materials (TE HIC) for smart, multifunctional applications. The proposed advanced materials will produce thermal and store electric energy by exploiting the thermoelectric phenomenon via a designed and integrated electronic circuit. This energy will be subsequently used in order to power the inherent functionalities of Non-destructive Evaluation of the structural integrity of the Composite components. The TE HIC will exhibit enhanced durability and will provide an innovative complementary technology of thermal energy harvesting with potential applications in the aerospace, automotive, power transmission systems and hot gases/liquid transfer piping. Athena will be implemented by an interdisciplinary consortium and the ambitious long-term goals of the project will contribute to a) environmental protection, b) material nanotechnology c) Information Technologies/Automations and their applications, d) strengthening the participants’ activities in H2020 calls, e) the creation of new working positions, f) the enhancement of the competitiveness of domestic companies in advanced sectors of materials production and finally g) strengthening the country’s position in the fields of civil and materials engineering.