Floor Design vs Mechanical Energy Scifair Projects

Flooring

Flooring is designed around its function. New flooring technology is utilizing impact reduction strategies to make floors easier to walk on.

Objectives/Goals

Solar House	PicoTurbine Windmill	SCG-125 Snap Circuits Green Alternative Energy
Ages 12 thru High School	Age 10 thru college	Ages 8 and up

I tried to create a floor that harnessed the mechanical energy released when we walk. I thought that I could do this by putting piezoelectric elements in the floor that would be compressed and create electricity when the floor was stepped on.

Methods/Materials

I tested several different designs by applying about 29 newtons of force, the same as one of my steps. I tried to make my own piezoelectric Rochelle salt crystals by growing them. I also used piezo disks and used them to make a small floor sample. I then tested using several different pads to test on these piezo disks to maximize power output.

Results

The Rochelle salt crystal peak was 27 microwatts. The piezo disks created more than that. The best design, which had cork pads underneath the piezo disks and rubber eraser on top, generated 70 microwatts.

Conclusions/Discussion

If I were to implement this design on a larger scale, it would never pay for itself in power generated. However, I have shown that it can be done, and that with a better design it could be made to work. 3rd party contributor