DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
Piezoelectric Power Generation
Name of the Guide: Presented by :
Mr. Srikanth. D Juluru Likhitha(22895A0201)
(Assistant Professor)
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CONTENTS:
• Introduction
• Objectives
• Literature Survey
• Methodology
• Block Diagram
• Conclusion
• References
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INTRODUCTION :
In this topic we are Generating Electric Power as non Conventional method by simple
walking on Footstep.Non Conventional energy using footstep is converting Mechanical
Energy into Electrical Energy.This energy can be tapped and converted in the usable
form such as in electric form. Basic Principle behind this system is Piezoelectric Effect.
What Is Piezoelectric?
They took the name from the Greek word Piezo, which means "to press".
Certain material have the ability to build up an electric
charge from having pressure and strain applied to them. Piezoelectric refers to the
ability of some materials to generate an electric potential in response to applied
pressure such materials are called Piezoelectric Material such as Quartz.
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The consumption of energy has always been in exponential
growth and also there is always an increasing demand in the
requirement of energy in some way or the other. So, there is
a need to search for energy availability from alternate
sources of energy. The utilization of waste energy of foot
power with human locomotion is relevant and important for
highly populated countries like India where the railway
station, temples, etc., are overcrowded all round the clock.
When the flooring is engineered with piezoelectric
technology, the electrical energy produced by the pressure is
captured by floor sensors and converted to an electrical
charge by piezo transducers, then stored and used as a
power source.
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Piezoelectric Effect:
Piezoelectric Effect is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in
response to applied mechanical stress.
Piezoelectricity is the electric charge that accumulates in certain solid materials in
response to applied mechanical stress. The word Piezoelectricity means electricity
resulting from pressure.
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Types Of Piezoelectric Effect:
Direct Piezoelectric Effect:Mechanical stress (e.g., compression, tension, or bending)
is applied to a material, producing an electric charge or voltage.Example:
Pressuresensors,microphones.
Reverse (or Inverse) Piezoelectric Effect:When an electric field is applied to a
piezoelectric material, it causes a mechanical strain (expansion or
contraction).Example: Actuators, ultrasound transducers .
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OBJECTIVE :
The objective of piezoelectric power generation is to harness mechanical
energy from pressure, vibrations, or movement and convert it into electrical
energy.
Utilize Renewable Energy Sources: Leverage natural or ambient mechanical
forces like human motion, traffic, or machine vibrations.
Enable Sustainable Power Generation: Provide an eco-friendly alternative to
fossil fuels.
Support Small-Scale and Portable Applications: Power low-energy devices
such as sensors, medical implants, and wearables.
Enhance Energy Efficiency: Recover wasted mechanical energy for practical
use.
Facilitate Smart Infrastructure: Integrate energy harvesting into roads,
floors, and buildings for powering IoT devices and sensors.
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LITERATURE SURVEY:
History
A literature survey on piezoelectric power generation delves into existing research
to establish a comprehensive understanding of its principles, applications, and
advancements.
The piezoelectric effect, first observed by Pierre and Jacques Curie in 1880, laid the
foundation for utilizing mechanical stress to generate electricity.
Development: Over the 20th
century, advancements in material science and electronics enabled practical
applications in sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting.
Contemporary Research: Modern studies
focus on improving material
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Fundamentals of Piezoelectric Power GenerationCady, W.G. (1946): "Piezoelectricity:
An Introduction"This foundational work describes the piezoelectric effect, its
discovery, and its applications in early technologies. It provides insights into how
mechanical stress induces electrical charge in certain materials.Contribution:
Established the principles of piezoelectricity as a basis for future innovations.
Materials for Piezoelectric Power GenerationR. E. Newnham et al. (1978): "Crystal
Structures of Piezoelectric Materials"Studied natural and synthetic materials like
quartz, PZT, and barium titanate.Contribution: Identified high-efficiency piezoelectric
materials and their applications in sensors and actuators.Y. Li et al. (2011): "Polymer-
Based Piezoelectric Materials"Discussed advancements in flexible and lightweight
polymer piezoelectric materials, such as PVDF.Contribution: Enabled wearable and
flexible electronics through piezoelectric materials.
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Applications of Piezoelectric Power GenerationParadiso, J.A., and Starner, T.
(2005): "Energy Scavenging for Mobile and Wireless Electronics"Examined
real-world applications, including wearable devices, self-powered sensors, and
energy harvesting from human motion.Contribution: Pioneered wearable energy
harvesting systems.Gao, W. et al. (2017): "Road Traffic Energy Harvesting Using
Piezoelectric Systems"Investigated piezoelectric devices installed on roads to
harness energy from vehicular vibrations.Contribution: Showcased large-scale
applications in urban energy harvesting.
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METHODOLOGY:
Designing the Device : it means Create a structure that converts physical force or
vibration into maximum electrical energy.Steps:Decide on the shape: Common
designs include:Cantilever beams (used in vibrational energy harvesting).Flat tiles
(used in roads or floors to capture foot traffic).Optimize the size, layers, and
arrangement of the piezoelectric material to generate more energy.Use simulation
tools like COMSOL to test the design virtually before building.
Choosing the Right Material: Select a piezoelectric material that can generate
the best electrical energy when mechanical stress is applied.Steps:Use materials
like PZT (ceramic), PVDF (flexible polymer), or newer lead-free materials like
barium titanate.Match the material to the application:Flexible materials (e.g.,
PVDF) for wearables.Rigid materials (e.g., PZT) for roads or buildings.
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Body Generating and Collecting Energy: it means use the piezoelectric material to
convert mechanical movement into electricity.Steps:Identify the source of motion or
stress, such as:Human motion (e.g., walking on tiles).Vehicle vibrations (e.g., roads or
bridges).Connect the piezoelectric material to a circuit to collect the electricity generated.
Use a rectifier circuit to convert the AC power (produced by the material) into usable DC
power.
Storing and Optimizing the Energy: it means save the generated energy and make it
ready for real use. Store the energy in a battery.
Testing and Using the System: it means Check how well the system works and deploy it
for actual use. Test the device in real conditions:Measure how much energy it generates.
Check its durability over time. Improve the design if needed. Deploy the system in
specific areas:Roads to power streetlights using vehicle vibrations. Wearable devices for
charging small electronics using movement.
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BLOCK DIAGRAM:
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WORKING:
Non-conventional energy using foot step is converting mechanical energy into the electrical
energy.
Foot step board it consist of a 16 piezo electric sensors which are connected in parallel.
When the pressure is applied on the sensors, the sensors will convert mechanical energy
into electrical energy.
This electrical energy will be storing in the 12v rechargeable battery connected to
inverter.We are using conventional battery charging unit also for giving supply to the
circuitry.
This inverter is used to convert the 12 Volt D.C to the 230 Volt A.C. This 230 Volt A.C
voltage is used to activate the loads.By using this AC voltage we can operate AC loads.
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BATTERY:
• Lead Acid Battery
• Initial cost is low
• High quality and reliability
• Long life
• Maintanance free
INVERTER:
Is an electric device that coverts direct current DC
in to alternating current AC The converted AC can be at any required voltage and
frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching and control circuits
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APPLICATIONS OF PIEZOELECTRIC
Wearable Devices:Self-Powered Wearables: Piezoelectric materials can
harvest energy from body movements (e.g., walking, stretching, or
vibrations) to power wearable devices like fitness trackers, smartwatches,
or medical sensors, reducing the need for batteries.
Energy Harvesting from Roads:Roadway Systems: Piezoelectric
devices embedded in roads or pavements can capture energy from the
pressure exerted by moving vehicles. This energy can be used to power
streetlights, traffic signals, or other infrastructure.
Consumer Electronics:Micro Devices: Small piezoelectric generators
are used to power low-energy electronics, such as remote sensors, small
gadgets, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, by harvesting vibrations or
mechanical energy from the environment.
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Smart Cities and Buildings Floor Tiles: Generating electricity from footsteps in
public places like airports, malls, or offices.Structural Health Monitoring: Powering
sensors in bridges and buildings to detect stress or damage.
Biomedical Applications Implantable Medical Devices: Providing energy for
pacemakers or other implants using heartbeats or body movement.Drug Delivery
Systems: Powering micro-pumps for controlled medication delivery.
Military and Defense Energy Harvesting for Soldiers: Powering communication
devices or sensors using movement or equipment vibrations.Surveillance Equipment:
Powering remote sensors in inaccessible or covert locations.
Self-Charging Shoes: Some innovative designs use piezoelectric materials in shoes
to generate electricity from walking, which can then be used to charge small devices
like smartphones or LED lights.
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Advantages:
Self generating –no external power is required
Eco-friendly energy source
Compact and light weight
Energy harvesting potential
Low maintanance
No moving parts
Wide application range
No need of fuel
Long service life
Reliable
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Disadvantages:
Low Power Output
High Initial cost
Material limitations
sensitivity to temperature
Installation complexity
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Future Prospects of piezoelectric :
1. Energy Harvesting in IoT DevicesLow-Power Electronics: Piezoelectric materials can power
small devices like sensors, wearables, and wireless communication devices without relying on
batteries. Smart Cities: Embedded piezoelectric systems can generate energy from vibrations
in roads, bridges, and buildings to power IoT infrastructure.
2. Transportation SectorSmart Roads: Piezoelectric generators embedded in highways can
harness energy from vehicle vibrations and convert it into electricity for streetlights or traffic
systems.Railways: Harvesting vibrations from moving trains to power railway signaling
systems and station facilities.
3. Consumer ElectronicsSelf-Charging Devices: Piezoelectric mechanisms can enable
smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets to recharge using mechanical inputs like typing or
pressing buttons.
4. Renewable Energy SystemsHybrid Systems: Combining piezoelectric technology with solar,
wind energy systems to improve overall efficiency.
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CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, piezoelectric power generation represents a promising and sustainable
energy harvesting solution, particularly for applications that require low-power energy
sources. By converting mechanical vibrations or stress into electrical energy,
piezoelectric materials offer several benefits, including environmental friendliness, low
maintenance, compactness, and the ability to integrate with existing infrastructure.
This technology is versatile, with applications ranging from wearable devices and
medical implants to industrial monitoring systems and roadway energy harvesting.
Although piezoelectric power generation is not yet a primary source of energy for
large-scale applications, it provides an innovative way to capture energy from ambient
sources.
As advancements in materials and efficiency continue, piezoelectric power generation
has the potential to play an increasingly important role in the future of sustainable
energy solutions, particularly in remote or energy-constrained environments.
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References:
Roundy, S., etYang, W., et al. "Lead-free piezoelectric materials for energy
harvesting." Materials Science and Engineering R: Reports, 2012.
Li, X., et al. "Flexible piezoelectric generators based on PVDF nanofibers." Nano
Energy, 2016.
Xu, J., et al. "Polymer-based piezoelectric nanogenerators." Journal of Materials
Chemistry A, 2014.
Wang, Z. L., et al. "Piezoelectric nanogenerators for self-powered systems."
Advanced Functional Materials, 2011.
al. "Powering devices in remote environments with the energy harvesting." IEEE
Micro, 2003.
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THANK YOU
THANK YOU
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