This forum is in read-only mode for archive purposes, please use our new forum at https://community.justflight.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Just Chat > Just Chat - General Discussion
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Self-powered Devices
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Self-powered Devices

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
MartinW View Drop Down
Moderator in Command
Moderator in Command
Avatar

Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Location: United Kingdom
Points: 26722
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MartinW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Self-powered Devices
    Posted: 04 Dec 2008 at 4:47pm

Engineers have doubled the efficiency of piezoelectric devices that harvest energy from movement and vibration.

The trick lies purely in the size of the devices: a narrow range of thicknesses around 5,000 times thinner than a human hair.

The result means that "self-powered" devices, such as phones that charge when you speak into them, are one step closer to reality.

The research was reported in the journal Physical Review B.

The piezoelectric effect occurs in some crystalline and ceramic materials. Stretching or compressing them causes a separation of electric charge across their width, and that sets up a voltage that can be put to use.

Such piezoelectric materials have been in use for years in devices such as electronic lighters and microphones, where pressure from a thumb or even a sound wave is harvested.

More recently, plans to engineer piezoelectrics that collect energy from footsteps or the motion of clothing have made it to the drawing board. Several clubs even incorporate piezoelectrics into their dance floors, recycling a small part of the energy imparted by clubgoers.

Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down