⚡The Piezo Path
Journeying through the potential of Piezoelectricity, from pressure to power
Background and Motivation:
Piezoelectricity has gained significant attention over the years due to its unique ability to convert mechanical stress or pressure into electrical energy. These sensors offer numerous advantages, including their cost-effectiveness and sustainability facets, making them highly desirable for various applications such as the creation of dance floors and sustainable energy-generating pavements. An intensive report by Rutgers University in August 2019 has shown how a "Piezoelectric energy harvesting system can provide distributed energy source in the airfield and lead to the development of smart infrastructure" including the powering of street lights and airport runway lights. Similarly, piezoelectric-based roads have been constructed around the world which harvest energy from the pressure applied by traffic movement.
Hence, this project aspires to:
Test the energy-producing capabilities of Piezoelectric sensors.
Leverage the economical and interactive features of piezoelectric sensors to design three concepts that could potentially enhance user experiences in a wide range of domains over a period of time.
Objectives:
To explore the practical applications of piezoelectricity, in particular of piezoelectric sensors for generating electricity.
To discuss whether piezoelectric sensors could be a useful alternative to relatively advanced sensor technologies used in interactive art installations.
Methods:
This project uses an experimental and practical approach in the exploration of piezoelectricity.
Three mini-prototypes/proof of concepts (POCs) have been created:
Self-Created Piezoelectric Tile using Piezoelectric Sensors: A Challenge with a Proposed Solution
A Mini Piezoelectric Dance Floor: A Potential Expansion
A Simple Piezoelectric Circuit interfaced with an Arduino
These proof of concepts (POCs) are not meant to be static but have been implemented with the scope of much-needed further expansion in the future course of the project.
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