This document discusses generating electricity using piezoelectric materials by converting mechanical energy from sources like footsteps, traffic, and vibrations into electrical energy. It proposes capturing this wasted mechanical energy using piezoelectric generators placed on roads, sidewalks, and other public areas to power lights, signs, and other applications. The document provides background on piezoelectricity, different piezoelectric materials like quartz and PZT ceramics, and their properties. It also discusses global warming and the need for alternative energy sources to address rising energy demand and climate change issues.

1. Summer/Spring 2016 Alternative Energy Sources ECE 5995 Project Design 1
Abstract— this project addresses the generation of
electricity using piezoelectric material by converting
mechanical vibration or pressure produced by people
walking, automobile traffic, airport runway, metro
stations and railway stations into electrical energy, in
this project we going to demonstrate generation of
electricity using Piezoelectric materials.
Every day there is a significant increase in energy
consumption globally therefore we need to grab all
possible energy from wherever we can find it. Low
power electronic devices have been increased very fast
in the recent years therefore electrical charge can be
grabbed from piezoelectric materials which are solid
material like ceramic and crystal.
Piezoelectric material not only provide an efficiency
source of energy but it is also a clean and pollution
free environment, noise free technology and this
technology require less skilled labor and less
maintenance this is what make it a great alternative
source of energy to generate electricity for the high
global demand .
Road and sidewalk is the most area we want to
capture all the energy loss for our piezoelectric
project and this output electricity generated by the
piezoelectric generator can be used for street light,
traffic light, public advertising and many more
applications that you could name.
This concept is also applicable to some large vibration
sources which can find from nature.
Keywords: Piezoelectric Materials, Piezoelectric effect,
Footsteps, Energy harvesting, Micro energy, Mechanical
strain and vibrations, Full-wave bridge rectifier,
Capacitor, Electrical Energy, Lead acid battery; Load
(LED highway street light).
INTRODUCTION
With the significant increase of the world population
everyday electrical energy became the world major issue and
electricity is one of the most important needs of our daily life;
harvesting energy from any possible other renewable energy
source can be a great way to solve the world energy problem.
As the focus is to introduce more type of renewable energy
into the new generation of electrical energy in order to
eliminate conventional way of generating power, as we know
natural resource will finish one day. Harvesting energy from
natural source as piezoelectric materials can be a big
contribution of climate change issue. We can found in nature
certain materials whose crystals develop an electric charge
when pressure is exerted on them; Pressure polarizes some
crystals, such as quartz, by slightly separating the centers of
positive and negative charge.
Quartz, tourmaline and Rochelle salts are examples.
We experiment creation of an electrical charge between the
plates; if a crystal from one of the material is placed between
two metal plates and pressure is exerted on the plates. The
amount of pressure or stress applied will determine the size.
Piezoelectric material energy harvesting technology is more
harmless to the world environment (climate change).
We can define energy harvesting as the process by
which energy is derived from external sources (e.g., solar
power, thermal energy, wind energy, piezoelectric energy, and
kinetic energy), captured, and stored for different type of
utilization. Among harvesting energy piezoelectric energy has
not been see more usage of human being compare to the others
and it can be define as the ability of some materials (notably
crystals and certain ceramics, including bone) to generate an
electric field or electric potential in response to applied
mechanical stress and pressure, this is related to a change of
polarization density within the material's volume. The applied
stress induces a voltage across the material, if the material is
not short-circuited.
The word is derived from the Greek Piezo or Piezein, which
means to squeeze or press. Piezoelectric technology began
in1880; two Brothers; Pierre Curie and Jacques Curie
combined their knowledge of pyro electricity with their
understanding of the underlying crystal structures that gave
rise to pyro electricity to predict crystal behavior, and
demonstrated the effect using crystals of tourmaline, quartz,
topaz, cane sugar, and Rochelle salt (sodium potassium
Generating Electricity Using Piezoelectric
Material
Djami Kakona, fz5376 ,Tanmay Karande, ga9772, Department of Electrical Engineering,Wayne State
University, USA, Michigan, Detroit.

2. Summer/Spring 2016 Alternative Energy Sources ECE 5995 Project Design 2
tartarate tetrahydrate). Quartz and Rochelle salt exhibited the
most piezoelectricity [3].
Macro energy harvesting technology is the renewable energy
harvesting plant that generates kW or MW level power.
Moreover, micro energy also can produce from those natural
sources elaborated on the definition above, that are called
micro energy harvesting. Micro energy harvesting technology
is based on mechanical vibration, mechanical stress and strain,
thermal energy from furnace, heaters and friction sources, sun
light or room light, human body, chemical or biological
sources, which can generate mW or μW level power.
Now our days we observed that technology is moving in to
micro and Nano fabrication levels ( robotics…) as reducing
the space and the weight is the main focus, therefore we
seeing a high demand and need of Micro power supply.
The phenomenon of generation of a voltage under mechanical
stress is referred to as the direct piezoelectric effect, and the
mechanical strain produced in the crystal under electric stress
is called the converse piezoelectric effect.
In this project we going to discuss how to generate micro
energy from pressure, vibration and strain using piezoelectric
material.
Piezoelectric energy harvesting project will be the best option
for making these public places independent from the
conventional power sources and saves the non-renewable
material.
GLOBAL WARMING
There are increase in the average measured temperature of the
Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century
is known Global warming and this still continuing in our
century [1].
According to an ongoing temperature analysis conducted by
scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies
(GISS), the average global temperature on Earth has increased
by about 0.8° Celsius (1.4° Fahrenheit) since 1880.
Two-thirds of the warming has occurred since 1975, at a rate
of roughly 0.15-0.20°C per decade [3].
But the global temperature mainly depends on how much
energy the planet receives from the Sun and how much it
radiates back into space quantities that change very little. The
amount of energy radiated by the Earth depends significantly
on the chemical composition of the atmosphere, particularly
the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.
The line plot below shows yearly temperature anomalies from
1880 to 2014 as recorded by NASA, NOAA, the Japan
Meteorological Agency, and the Met Office Hadley Centre
(United Kingdom) [1].
Though there are minor variations from year to year, all four
records show peaks and valleys in sync with each other.
All show rapid warming in the past few decades, and all show
the last decade as the warmest.
Figure1. Global average surface temperature change [1].
Climate model projections summarized by the IPCC indicate
that average global surface temperature will likely rise a
further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the twenty-first
century. This range of values results from the use of differing
scenarios of future greenhouse gas emissions as well as
models with differing climate sensitivity. Although most
studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming and sea level
rise are expected to continue for more than a thousand years
even if greenhouse gas levels are stabilized. The delay in
reaching equilibrium is a result of the large heat capacity of
the oceans [3].
Remaining scientific uncertainties include the amount of
warming expected in the future, and how warming and related
changes will vary from region to region around the globe.
Most national governments have signed and ratified the Kyoto
Protocol aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but
there is ongoing political and public debate worldwide
regarding what, if any, action should be taken to reduce or
reverse future warming or to adapt to its expected
consequences.
The proposed of utilization of piezoelectric system as source
of alternative energy is very relevant and important to solve
some of the global warming.
Electricity is a basic need for everyone, but electricity doesn’t
reach everyone in the world. Simple way of producing and
supplying electricity would be a great solution.
PIEZOELECTRIC CONCEPT
Electrical energy contribute to human daily life therefore we
constant that there is a lot of energy source used and any
energy source has also been wasted.
Piezoelectric devices are implements that use materials
exhibiting piezoelectric effects. "Piezo," in Greek, means
"pressure," which explains that when you apply pressure to
piezoelectric materials, you get a charge separation within a
crystal and a voltage across the crystal that is sometimes
extremely high. Piezoelectric concept is one of the relevant
ways of using these wasted energies. The word
piezoelectricity means electricity resulting from pressure
founding that there are some crystals that have the capability
to become electrically polarized after they bear any sort of
physical stress or strain. Scientist have conclude an alternative
energy is generated once any type of mechanical stress,
pressure is applied on crystals such Topaz, Quartz, Rochelle
salt, there is a generation of voltage across the crystals surface
once stress and pressure is applied. In vibration based

3. Summer/Spring 2016 Alternative Energy Sources ECE 5995 Project Design 3
harvesters deformation is produced by vibrating mass of the
piezo element itself or external mass or directly transferring
deformation of external system into piezoelectric material.
Bending type of structure is used in this case.
The crystal can also be referred to as capacitor with voltage
applied on their surface, although the voltage thus creates is
not massive; they will be simply amplified with the assistance
of the electronic equipment.
The electronics in its simplest form can be a one stage design
with a rectifier and the storage capacitor or it can have several
stages with switched mode regulators providing controlled
output voltage and high voltage energy storage significantly
improving efficiency of the harvesting.
An external force applied on the piezoelectric materials will
force the material to generate electrical charge on opposing
surface. Bellow Figure.2 had shown the displacement of
electrical charge due to the deflection of the lattice in a
naturally piezoelectric quartz crystal. The larger circles
represent silicon atoms, while the smaller ones represent
oxygen. Crystalline quartz, either in its natural or high-quality,
reprocessed form, is one of the most sensitive or stable
piezoelectric materials available [5].
Figure2. Force applied at piezoelectric element [5]
We are generating electrical power as nonconventional
method in this project and this non-conventional method
convert mechanical energy into electrical energy this is very
relevant as these are wasted mechanical energy whish we
harvesting. The high demand of electrical energy is the big
motivation to go for wasted energy, this can be generating on
the pavement, public place, street, and workplace using
piezoelectric materials.
There are three basic classes of piezoelectric materials used in
micro fabrication:
 natural piezoelectric substrates,such as quartz single
crystals
 piezoelectric ceramics, such as lithium niobate,
gallium arsenide, zinc oxide, aluminum nitride and
lead zirconate-titanate (PZT)
 Polymer-film piezo electrics, such as polyvinylidene
fluoride (PVDF).
Table.1; illustrates some advantage and disadvantages of
quartz crystal and polycrystalline ceramic [5].
TABLE.1: Comparison of Piezoelectric materials.
` Quartz Crystal
Polycrystalline
Ceramic
naturally piezoelectric
material
artificially polarized,
man-made material
high voltage sensitivity high charge sensitivity
stiffness comparable to steel
unlimited availability of
sizes and shapes
exhibits excellent long term
stability
materials available
which operate at 1000 F
(540 C)
non-pyro electric
output due to thermal
transients (pyro electric)
low temperature coefficient
characteristics vary with
temperature
Table1. Comparison of Piezoelectric Materials [5]
PZT Ceramics
The most commonly used type of piezo ceramics, Lead
Zirconated Titanates (PZTs), are solid solutions of lead
zirconate and lead titanate, often doped with other elements to
obtain specific properties. These ceramics are manufactured
by mixing together proportional amounts of lead, zirconium
and titanium oxide powders and heating the mixture to around
800 to 1000C. They then react to form perovskite PZT
powder. This powder is mixed with a binder and sintered into
the desired shape. During the cooling process, the material
undergoes a phase transition from Para electric to ferroelectric
and the cubic unit cell becomes tetragonal. As a result, the unit
cell becomes elongated in one direction and has a permanent
dipole moment oriented along its long axis (c-axis). The un-
poled ceramic consists of many randomly oriented domains
and thus has no net polarization.
Application of a high electric field has the effect of aligning
most of the unit cells as closely parallel to the applied field as
possible. This process is called poling and it imparts a
permanent net polarization to the ceramic. The material in this
state exhibits both direct and converse piezoelectric effects.
PZT sensors exhibit most of the characteristics of ceramics,
namely a high elastic modulus, brittleness and low tensile
strength. The material itself is mechanically isotropic, and by
virtue of the poling process, is assumed transversely isotropic
in the plane normal to the poling direction as far as
piezoelectric properties are concerned.
Gallium arsenide-based amplifiers and filters are already
available on the market and this new discovery opens up new
ways of integrating antennas on a chip along with other
components. Working with the National Physical Laboratory
and Cambridge-based dielectric antenna company Ante nova,
a team of Cambridge University researchers has found that, at

4. Summer/Spring 2016 Alternative Energy Sources ECE 5995 Project Design 4
a certain frequency, thin films of piezoelectric materials not
only become efficient resonators, but efficient radiators as
well, meaning that they can be used as aerials.
The less-sensitive, natural, single-crystal materials (gallium
phosphate, quartz, and tourmaline) have a higher – when
carefully handled, almost unlimited – long term stability.
There are also new single-crystal materials commercially
available such as Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate
(PMN-PT). These materials offer improved sensitivity over
PZT but have a lower maximum operating temperature and are
currently more expensive to manufacture.
PVDF polymer films
Figure3. Polymer Films
In 1969, very high piezo-activity was observed in the
polarized fluoropolymer, Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).
While other materials, like nylon and PVC exhibit the effect,
none are as highly piezoelectric as PVDF and its copolymers.
PVDF is one of select group families of formulations that have
exceptional electric and electronic versatility – these most
versatile compounds widely used in the new electronics and
electrical industries turn out to be based on one of six anions
and three polymer families. Developers see PVDF
formulations as a gymnast of materials offering:
 Piezoelectric for sensors and energy harvesting
 Semiconductor for transistors, diodes, photovoltaics
when filled with conductive fillers carbon black,
nickel, zinc, or tungsten
 Ferroelectric for printable memory, particularly with
chlorine side chains
 Insulator for many electric and electronic devices
 Dielectric for many electric and electronic devices
such as new capacitors or transistor gates
 Electret in microphones etc.
 Separator/porous membrane in Proton Exchange
Membrane PEM fuel cells and the new lithium metal
rechargeable batteries
 Active electrode binder in lithium-ion batteries
Piezo PVDF film is a flexible, lightweight, tough engineering
plastic available in a wide variety of thicknesses and large
areas. Its properties as a transducer include:
 Wide frequency range: 0.001 to 109Hz.
 Vast dynamic range (10-8 to 106psi or µ torr to
Mbar).
 Low acoustic impedance—close match to water,
human tissue and adhesive systems.
 High elastic compliance
 High voltage output—10 times higher than piezo
ceramics for the same force input.
 High dielectric strength—withstanding strong fields
(75V/µm) where most piezo ceramics depolarize.
 High mechanical strength and impact resistance
(109to 1010 Pascal modulus).
 High stability: resistant moisture (<0.02% moisture
absorption), most chemicals, oxidants, and intense
ultraviolet and nuclear radiation.
 Can be fabricated into unusual designs.
 Can be glued with commercial adhesives.
Piezo film has low density and excellent sensitivity, and is
mechanically tough. The compliance of piezo film is 10 times
greater than the compliance of ceramics. When extruded into
thin film, piezoelectric polymers can be directly attached to a
structure without disturbing its mechanical motion. Piezo film
is well suited to strain sensing applications requiring very
wide bandwidth and high sensitivity. As an actuator, the
polymer’s low acoustic impedance permits the efficient
transfer of a broadband of energy into air and other gases.
In spite of their lower piezoelectric coefficients, these
characteristics make PVDF films more attractive than PZT
ceramics for sensor applications. Piezoelectric polymer film
sensors are among the fastest growing of the technologies
within the $18 billion worldwide sensor market. Like any new
technology, there have been an extraordinary number of
applications considered for the sensor.
The Young’s modulus of PZT is comparable to that of
aluminum, whereas that of PVDF is approximately 1/12th that
of aluminum. It is therefore much more suited to sensing
applications since it is less likely to influence the dynamics of
the host structure as a result of its own stiffness. It is also very
easy to shape PVDF film for any desired application.
Push buttons for keyboards, keypads, and control panels with
small areas have been made with cellular piezoelectric
polymer films. Keypads are commercially produced by the
SCREENTEC Company in Finland, and are used for example,
in interfaces for information systems in public transportation
or as access readers for different applications. The high
sensitivity allows the implementation of the sensors behind
protective layers of different materials (with a thickness up to
5mm) to achieve vandal-proof control panels usable for cash
dispensers and ticket machines or other systems in public
transportation.
A major advantage of piezo film over piezo ceramic is its low
acoustic impedance, which is closer to that of water, human

5. Summer/Spring 2016 Alternative Energy Sources ECE 5995 Project Design 5
tissue and other organic materials. A close impedance match
permits more efficient transduction of acoustic signals in
water and tissue. For example, the acoustic impedance of
piezo film is only 2.6 times that of water, whereas piezo
ceramics are typically 11 times greater.
Piezo film does have some limitations for certain applications.
Compared to ceramics, it makes a relatively weak
electromechanical transmitter, particularly at resonance and in
low frequency applications. Also, if the electrodes on the film
are exposed, the sensor can be sensitive to electromagnetic
radiation, though good shielding techniques are available for
high EMI/RFI environments.
PVDF consists of long chains of the repeating monomer (—
CH2—CF2—). The hydrogen atoms are positively charged
and the fluorine atoms are negatively charged with respect to
the carbon atoms and this leaves each monomer unit with an
inherent dipole moment. PVDF film is manufactured by
solidification of the film from a molten phase, which is then
stretched in a particular direction and finally poled. In the
liquid phase, the individual polymer chains are free to take up
any orientation and so a given volume of liquid has no net
dipole moment.
After solidification, and stretching the film in one direction,
the polymer chains are mostly aligned along the direction of
stretching. This, combined with the poling, imparts a
permanent dipole moment to the film, which then behaves like
a piezoelectric material.
The process of stretching the film, which orients the polymer
chains in a specific direction, renders the material piezo
electrically orthotropic. For small strains, however, the
material is considered mechanically isotropic.
Figure4. Schematic sketch of a curved sensor arrangement
New copolymers of PVDF, developed over the last few years,
have expanded the applications of piezoelectric polymer
sensors. These copolymers permit use at higher temperatures
(135C) and offer desirable new sensor shapes, like cylinders
and hemispheres. Thickness extremes are possible with
copolymer that cannot be readily attained with PVDF. These
include ultra-thin (200Å) spin-cast coatings that enable new
sensor-on-silicon applications, and cylinders with wall
thicknesses in excess of 1200 microns for sonar. The
copolymer film has a maximum operating/storage temperature
of 135C and PVDF is not recommended for use or storage
above 100C.
PVDF is also pyroelectric, producing electrical charge in
response to a change in temperature. It strongly absorbs
infrared energy in the 7-20µm wavelengths, covering the same
wavelength spectrum as heat from the human body.
Accordingly, PVDF makes a useful human motion sensor as
well as a pyroelectric sensor for more sophisticated
applications like cameras for night vision and laser beam
profiling sensors. A dense infrared array has been recently
introduced that identifies one’s fingerprint pattern using the
pyro effect of piezo polymer [2].
Figure5. Pressure applied generating voltage [2].
Apparatus to be used:
1. Piezoelectric crystal
2. Voltmeter
3. Connecting wires
4. Terminal connections
5. Diode full bridge rectifier
6. Laid acid battery
7. Piezoelectric sensor
8. Capacitor

6. Summer/Spring 2016 Alternative Energy Sources ECE 5995 Project Design 6
Figure6. Piezoelectric crystal
METHOD OF GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY
USING PIEZOELECTRICITY
 Smart highway piezoelectricity
In the modern world we look for any other alternative way to
generate electricity; as there now high-energy demand and big
number of the world population still living in a dark or load
shadings, therefore the aim to transform any waste of energy
to a useful source of energy; smart highway may be one of the
best example. This involve installing piezoelectric material on
the highway which will generate electric by converting
mechanical stress and/or pressure applied on material the
burden of passing vehicles to electrical energy.
According to INNOWATTECH the piezo electrical Generator
(IPEG) stated that smart highway can produce up to 1
Megawatt of electricity which is capable to produce power to
2500 household [2].
The amount of watts that can be generate depend on the size
of the piezoelectric power plant and the amount of stress
and/or pressure applied on the materials meaning number of
vehicles passing on the highway per day and night but as
IPEG stated this can be a huge and significant [2] .
Figure7. Smart - highway [2].
 Pedestrians walk foot.
In any foot step human being makes we produce energy and
his energy has been wasted there the need of capturing this
energy for nearby usage is request this can be also achieve by
the application of piezoelectric materials that will be placed on
the pedestrians walk way.
This application can be only a success on crowded and
attracted area; for example New York time square, Paris tour
Eiffel, Hong Kong, Dubai…
The energy generated from people crowed stress can be used
for near source as it won’t be high energy for example
pedestrian traffic light, street advertisement, public place light
and audio sound and many more.
Figure8. New York time square crowed.
Figure9. Foot step energy harvesting [4]
Figure10. Combine smart road and pedestrian piezoelectric
[2].
Piezoelectric generation can be applicable to many other
public places where mechanical stress and or pressure energy
are wasted for example Metro station and Railway line,
Shopping mall...

7. Summer/Spring 2016 Alternative Energy Sources ECE 5995 Project Design 7
Figure11. Train station crowed [2]
Figure12. Railway piezoelectric material installation [2]
APPARATUS CONCEPT
 Full - wave Bridge Rectifier
The electrical energy that is generate by the Piezoelectric
materials are AC there will be a need of Full- wave bridge
rectifier that will be used as a common rectifier circuit to
convert AC to DC voltage; as many street and traffic light
applications use LED light this light require constant DC
voltage source. The full wave bridge rectifier consists of four
diodes [4].
 Piezoelectric Sensor
The need of sensor or controlling the piezoelectric materials
on the field is increasing as we need to know the status of all
the materials functionality and default in the plant [4].
 Lead battery
As we generate energy a need of storing this energy in a
battery for future use or back up.
An electrical battery is a combination of one or more
electrochemical cells, used to convert stored chemical energy
into electrical energy, battery standby power applications.
Miniature cells are used to power devices such as hearing aids
and wristwatches; larger batteries provide standby power for
telephone exchanges or computer datacenters [4].
 Voltmeter
This is an electrical device used for our experiment when
testing the output voltage and current. One of the useful
electrical measurements tools that will tell us how much is the
voltage generating from our small piezoelectric power plan
experimentation.
Figure13. Volt - meter usage for voltage testing [4].
 Capacitor
We used the capacitor to store power from the piezoelectric
plant and supply it when it required.
Electricity from the Piezoelectric plant comes in form of
alternating current and since LED work on DC current a full
wave bridge rectifier circuit is applied to convert AC to DC
current. The bridge circuit consists of 4 1N4148 signal diodes.
These diodes are used for rectification of electricity [4].
In order to generate more electricity piezoelectric material can
be connected n series and parallel [4].

8. Summer/Spring 2016 Alternative Energy Sources ECE 5995 Project Design 8
Figure14. Piezoelectric circuit
Figure15. Piezoelectric circuit connection type
EXPERIMENTATION RESULTS
Let’s considerone application from the applications discussed
above: Generation of Electrical Power through Footsteps.
Consider a piezoelectric transducerpanel of 1 m2, with 20X 20
with circuit capacitor value of 22 µF. And 400 piezoelectric
transducers (sensors) in total will be use. Figure.14 above
illustrates piezoelectric circuit used for the experimentation.
This is for one piezoelectric crystal. After calculating the
voltage with a multi - meter across the capacitor we get two
voltages i.e. for full foot and for partial foot i.e. Vmax and Vmin.
So;
Vmax = 30 V.
V min = 20 V.
Hence let V = 25 V
So, The Formula for calculation of Energy generated is
E = ½ V2 *C.
We have V = 25 V. and C = 22 µF.
Therefore,
E = ½ 625 * 22 * 10-6 J
= 6875 * 10-6 J
= 6.875 mJ
This the energy generated from one piezoelectric transducerin
one hour. If we considerthe panel of 400, then
E = 6.875 mJ*400 = 2.750 J
This is the energy generated from one-foot step,
Now, consider200 people cross the panel in 1 hourat a
crowded place. Then, the total energy generated is
200 people = 400 feet
Therefore
E = 2.750 *400 J
E = 1100 J
E = 0.3 Wh
This Energy might be small for this specific experimentation
but when connected in large scale it can generate considerable
energy and make a great impact contribution.
 Installation and Findings
The installation of the Piezo devices requires that flooring be
removed. This process can be done as old, worn flooring is
replaced or in certain high traffic areas as an experiment for
determining feasibility in airport terminals, a similar option to
the implementation in the Tokyo train stations.The Piezo
devices, due to their small thin shape,could be placed
underneath floor tiles or carpet with few complications. In
order to harness the power a capacitor could be used to store
the electricity like in the train stations orinverters, like ones
used to convert solar electricity from direct current to
alternating current, could be installed in the terminals to
convert the DC power from the Piezo devices into AC power
used in the lighting systems at airports. The power could then
be routed directly to specific electrical devices such as lights
or billboards or it could be sent to the main power grid at an
airport in order to supplement the main power supply.There
are many installation options and applications of these
devices; the specific type of installation will depend upon the
intended use of the Piezo devices within the terminals.
Locating Piezo electric flooring in airports is dependent upon
how much traffic, on average, certain parts of a terminal
receive in a given day; the higher the averages the higher the
potential for energy production. Based on this it is important
to locate high traffic areas to gain the most benefit out of the
power generating floor. One such high traffic area is the
check-in station, these areas often have large lines of
passengers waiting to check in baggage and obtain boarding
passes. Piezo devices could also be installed under the
baggage weighing scales in the check-in areas to harness the
energy from placing luggage on these platforms. Another high
traffic area is the security line; the Piezo devices could be
located under the floors along these lines to capture the foot
traffic in these lines. Concession areas and advertising signs
would also benefit from having the power-generating floor.
Billboards could be light up by people passing by and lighting
in the concession areas could be partially powered by the
flooring. Experimentation with different areas and by
observing locations of high foot traffic in airport terminals are
important in determining the optimal locations for capturing
kinetic energy from walking

9. Summer/Spring 2016 Alternative Energy Sources ECE 5995 Project Design 9
Figure16. Foot steep piezoelectric generation [3]
While the Crowd Farm wouldn't work in the home (a single
human step generates only enough power to light 15 LED
lights for one second), it could really draw some power from a
crowd producing thousands ofsteps.And also it is found that
for charging a battery of 6 volts 1.2 ampere hours it requires
approximately 600 steps overthe plate. The generated voltage
from a piezoelectric material can be calculated from the
following equation [3].
V = Sv * P * D
Where V = Piezoelectric generated voltage (Volts)
Sv = Voltage sensitivity of the material (Volt *meters /
Newton)
P = Pressure (N/m2)
D = thickness of material (meters)
 Advantages:
1. Very high frequency response.
2. Self-generating, so no need of external source.
3. Simple to use as they have small dimensions and large
measuring range.
4. Barium titanate and quartz can be made in any desired
shape and form. It also has a large dielectric constant. The
crystal axis is selectable by orienting the direction of
orientation [4].
 Disadvantages
1. It is not suitable for measurement in static condition.
2. Since the device operates with the small electric charge,
they need high impedance cable for electrical interface.
3. The output may vary according to the temperature variation
of the crystal.
4. The relative humidity rises above 85% or falls below 35%,
its output will be affected. If so, it has to be coated with wax
or polymer material [4].
CONCLUSION
This can be used for many applications in city areas where we
want more power. We can drive D.C loads according to the
force we applied on the piezo electric sensor.Although the
theory developed in this report justifies the use of switching
techniques in efficiently converting that energy to a usable
form, there are obviously some practical limitations to the
systems presented.The final prototype design does fulfill the
objective of generating electricity from piezoelectric disk.
Although the theory developed in this report justifies the use
of switching techniques in efficiently converting that energy to
a usable form, there are obviously some practical limitations
to the systems presented.Measurements of source current into
the primary and load current transferred from the secondary
reveal that very little current gain truly occurs between the
input and output ports of the switch in the converter.
We can connect a backup supply from grid so that in case of
shortage of power we can charge the battery from the gird and
next option is integrating the systemwith solar systemand
form a hybrid systemsuch that the cost storage equipment is
reduced and pure clean energy is produced with a high
reliability. And is the best economical, affordable energy
solution to common people.
REFERENCES
[1] NASA (2010, January 21). 2009: Second Warmest Year on
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http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/decada
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[2] Shalu Chauhan, Shivani Gautam, Electrical Generation
Using Vibration of Automobiles by Piezoelectric Concept,
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[3] K. Ramakrisha, Guruswamy Revena and Venu Madhav
Gopaka , Geneation of Electrical Power Through Foot Steps.
ISSN: 2321-3124. Accepted 20 sept 2014, Available online 01
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[5] General Piezoelectric theory; Copyright PCB Group,
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http://www.pcb.com/techsupport/tech_gen.