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net ISSN (ONLINE): 2250-0758, ISSN (PRINT): 2394-6962

Volume-6, Issue-2, March-April 2016

International Journal of Engineering and Management Research
Page Number: 36-39

Energy Harvesting through Dance Floor using Piezoelectric Device

Abhishek Gupta1, Mohd. Imran2, Resham Agarwal3, Rakesh Yadav4, Priyanka Jangir5, Rakshit Poonia6
1,2
Sr. Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Swami Keshvanand Institute of Technology, Management and
Gramothan, Jaipur, INDIA
3,4,5,6
Student, Department of Electrical Engineering, Swami Keshvanand Institute of Technology, Management and Gramothan,
Jaipur, INDIA

ABSTRACT stress[1]. The word piezoelectricity means electricity

More sustainable forms of electrical power are needed
in order to keep costs lower and to insure a healthier
environment for future generation. In this paper a way to utilize
alternative forms of energy at passenger terminals like at dance
floors across the world has been presented. Three piezoelectric
material to be used was studied and a graph is presented. The
use of piezoelectric devices installed in terminals will enable the
capturing of kinetic energy from dance floor. This energy can
then be used to offset some of the power coming from the main
grid. Such a source of power can then be used to operate
lighting systems.
Keywords— Electric model, energy harvesting, piezoelectric
material , PZT (lead zirconate titanate) , PMNPT (lead
magnesium niobate- lead titanate) , PVDF(polyvinylidene
fluoride).
I. INTRODUCTION
Recent advances in energy harvesting have been
intensified due to urgent need of portable, wireless
electronics with extensive life span.The concept of
harvesting renewable energy in human surrounding arouses a
renewed interest.This project focus on one such advanced
method of energy harvesting using piezoelectric material.
Piezoelectric materials can be used as mechanisms to transfer
mechanical energy, usually ambient vibration, into electrical
energy that can be stored and used to power other devices. A
piezoelectric substance is one that produces an electric
charge when a mechanical stress is applied. Conversely, a
mechanical deformation is produced when an electric field is
applied. Piezo-film can generate enough electrical density
that can be stored in a rechargeable battery for later use.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Piezoelectricity is the electric charge that
accumulates in certain solid materials (such as crystals,
certain ceramics, and biological matter such as bone, DNA
and various proteins) in response to applied mechanical
36 Copyright © 2016. Vandana Publications. All Rights Reserved.
resulting from pressure. It is derived from the Greek piezo or
piezein , which means to squeeze or press, and electric or
electron , which means amber, an ancient source of electric
charge[2]. Piezoelectricity was discovered in 1880 by French
physicists Jacques and Pierre Curie.
The piezoelectric effect is understood as the linear
electromechanical interaction between the mechanical and
the electrical state in crystalline materials with no inversion
symmetry. The piezoelectric effect is a reversible process in
that materials exhibiting the direct piezoelectric effect (the
internal generation of electrical charge resulting from an
applied mechanical force) also exhibit the reverse
piezoelectric effect (the internal generation of a mechanical
strain resulting from an applied electrical field). For example,
lead zirconate titanate crystals will generate measurable
piezoelectricity when their static structure is deformed by
about 0.1% of the original dimension. Conversely, those
same crystals will change about 0.1% of their static
dimension when an external electric field is applied to the
material. The inverse piezoelectric effect is used in
production of ultrasonic sound waves.
Piezoelectricity is found in useful applications such
as the production and detection of sound, generation of high
voltages, electronic frequency generation, microbalances, to
drive an ultrasonic nozzle, and ultrafine focusing of optical
assemblies. It is also the basis of a number of scientific
instrumental techniques with atomic resolution, the scanning
probe microscopies such as STM, AFM, MTA, SNOM, etc.,
and everyday uses such as acting as the ignition source for
cigarette lighters, push-start propane barbecues, and quartz
watches.
There are multiple techniques for converting
vibrational energy to electrical energy. The most prevalent
three are electrostatic, electromagnetic, and piezoelectric
conversion[3] . A majority of current research has been done
on piezoelectric conversion due to the low complexity of its
analysis and fabrication.
This paper aims to develop a theoretical
understanding behind the harvesting of electricity using
dance floor, and to recommend a direction for future research
in this area based on the conclusions.
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III. BLOCK DIAGRAM
IV. DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
A. Material to be used
The Integrity of the Specifications force is
displayed. The composites can be easily prepared in a form
of sheets and a variety of shapes. They exhibit low acoustic
impedance, high piezoelectric voltage coefficient For this the
Piezo transducer material under In recent years, composites
composed of electro ceramics and ferroelectric polymer are
very attractive for applications since they exhibit high
piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties, low acoustic
impedance matching with water, and furthermore, their
properties can be tailored to various requirements[4]. As a
result, the ferroelectric ceramic polymer composites are the
promising materials for applications in high-pressure sensors,
hydrophones and shock accelerometers. Voltmeters are
connected across both of them for measuring voltages and an
ammeter is connected to measure the current. As varying
forces are applied on the Piezo material, different voltage
readings corresponding to the force is displayed.
Consequently, the polymer ceramic composites, especially of
the ferroelectric ceramics such as PZT and PMN-PT and the
ferroelectric polymer PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), have
been the subject of a lot of research work, and detailed
studies were reported on their piezoelectric, dielectric and
pyroelectric properties. The composites can be easily
prepared in a form of exible sheets and a variety of shapes.
They exhibit low acoustic impedance, high piezoelectric
voltage coefficient but a lower electromechanical coupling
factor and permittivity value in comparison with those of the
ceramics.
The main component of the project is the
piezoelectric material. The proper choice of the piezo
material is of prime importance. For this, an analysis on the 2
most commonly available piezoelectric material - PZT and
37 Copyright © 2016. Vandana Publications. All Rights Reserved.
PVDF, to determine the most suitable material was done. The
criterion for selection was better output voltage for various
pressures applied. In order to understand the output
corresponding to the various forces applied, the V-I
characteristics of each material namely, PZT and PVDF were
plotted. As varying forces are applied on the Piezo material,
different voltage readings corresponding to the Maintaining
test is placed on a Piezo force sensor. Voltmeters are
connected across both of them for measuring voltages and an
ammeter is connected to measure the current. As varying
forces are applied on the Piezo material, different voltage
readings corresponding to the force is displayed. For each
such voltage reading across the force sensor, various voltage
and current readings of the Piezo test material are noted. The
voltage from PZT is around 2V where as that of PVDF is
around 0.4V.We can thus conclude that better output is
obtained from the PZT than the PVDF [5].
The simplest ceramic polymer composite is that
which consists of ceramic particles randomly dispersed in a
polymer matrix, which is well known as connectivity.
Consequently, the polymer ceramic composites, especially of
the ferroelectric ceramics such as PZT and PMN-PT and the
ferroelectric polymer PVDF (polyvinyliene fluoride), have
been the subject of a lot of research work, and detailed
studies were reported on their piezoelectric, dielectric and
pyroelectric properties[4].The composites can be easily
prepared in a form of sheets and a variety of shapes.
For this the Piezo transducer material under test is
placed on a Piezo force sensor Voltmeters are connected
across both of them for measuring voltages and an ammeter
is connected to measure the current. The composites can be
easily prepared in a form of sheets and a variety of shapes.
They exhibit low acoustic impedance, high piezoelectric
voltage coefficient but a lower electromechanical coupling
factor and permittivity value in comparison with those of the
ceramics.
As varying forces are applied on the Piezo material,
different voltage readings corresponding to the force is
displayed. The composites can be easily prepared in a form
of exible sheets and a variety of shapes. They exhibit low
acoustic impedance, high piezoelectric voltage cofficient but
a lower electromechanical coupling factor.
B. Study of connections
Next to determine the kind of connection that gives
appreciable voltage and current necessary, three PZT are
connected in series.
A force sensor and voltmeter is connected to this
series combination. As varying forces are applied on this
connection, corresponding voltages are noted.
Also the voltage generated across the series
connection and the current is measured. The voltage from a
series connection is good but the current obtained is poor,
whereas the current from a parallel connection is good but
the voltage is poor. But this problem is rectified in a series-
parallel connection where a good voltage as well as current
can be obtained.
C. Maximum Theoretical Voltage Generated
When a force is applied on piezo material, a charge
is generated across it. Thus, it can be assumed to be an ideal
capacitor. Thus, all equations governing capacitors can be
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applied to it. In this project, on one tile, we connect 3 piezo
in series.10 such series connections are connected in parallel.
Thus when 3 piezoelectric discs are connected in series, its
equivalent capacitance becomes:
1/Ceq=1/C1+1/C2+1/C3
We know, Q=C*V So, C=Q/V
Hence, Veq/Q=V1/Q+V2/Q+V3/Q Thus, Veq=V1+V2+V3
Hence, the net voltage generated in series
connection is the sum of individual voltages generated across
each piezoelectric disc.
D. Analysis Done On the Piezo Tile
People whose weight varied from 40kg to 75 kg
were made to walk on the piezo tile to test the voltage
generating capacity of the Piezo tile. Maximum voltage is
generated when maximum weight/force is applied. Thus,
maximum voltage of 40V is generated across the tile when a
weight of 75 Kg is applied on the tile.
E. Hardware Discription
Figure shows a typical power harvesting system. It
includes an external energy source (vibration of dance floor),
a transducer (Piezo electric crystal) to convert energy from
external energy to electric power, a harvesting circuit to
optimize the harvesting efficiency and a storage battery or a
load circuit. Much research has been focused on harvesting
electric power from various ambient energy sources,
including solar power, thermal gradients and vibrations.
When comparing all possible energy sources, mechanical
vibration is a potential power source that can be easily
accessed through adopting micro-electro mechanical systems
(MEMS) technology. Mechanical vibration energy can be
converted into usable electrical energy through piezoelectric,
electromagnetic and electrostatic transducers [2]. The
piezoelectric transducer is considered a potential choice
when compared with electromagnetic and electrostatic
transducers due to its high energy density.
V. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE
The proposed method which is used to convert
mechanical vibrations produced in dancing floor to useful
electrical energy is to use a PZT material as an energy
converting device. The obtained output power is utilized to
38 Copyright © 2016. Vandana Publications. All Rights Reserved.
power other devices or it can be stored in batteries.
Comparison between various piezo electric material
shows that PZT is superior in characteristics. Also, by
comparison it was found that series combination connection
is more suitable. The pressure applied on the dancing floor
and corresponding voltage generated is studied and they are
found to have linear relation. This can be used in lighting
bulbs. It can also be used as charging ports.
Use of piezoelectric crystals has being started and
positive results are obtained. With further advancement in
field of electronics, better synthesized piezoelectric crystals
and better selection of place of installations, more electricity
can be generated and it can be viewed as a next promising
source of generating electricity.
The electricity created from the dance floor using
piezoelectric crystal can be used to power parts of the
nightclub such as the sound and lighting.
A. Future Scope
In India, maximum public movements is observed
in railways stations and holy places, hence, such places can
be exploited for use of piezoelectric crystals for generation of
electricity. Gathering ranging from thousands to millions are
observed in holy places, thus installation of piezoelectric
crystals at floorings would generate enough power to light up
lights of temples as well as air circulation systems. While
studying use of piezoelectric crystals embedded in shoes and
roads, idea struck in our mind that piezoelectric crystals can
be replaced with small hydraulic pumps in heels of shoes and
large pumps in case of bridges & roads. While stepping such
hydraulic pumps at heel of our shoes would get compressed
and this compressed air can be used to rotate small electric
generators at heel of shoes. Thus our daily movement can be
used to run small electric devices. Though such generators
would be able to generate small power but on large scale i.e.
if used in bridge construction than massive energy can be
generated. Similarly by driving on such road & bridge, due to
compression the hydraulic pump can to rotate generators in
turn generate electricity. Other idea that struck our mind
while studying alternative source of energy was use of
thermocouple to generate electricity. In regions where
temperature falls below zero degree, use of thermocouple can
be implemented to generate electricity. Idea is to use human
body as a hot junction while atmospheric temperature as cold
junction. Thus thermocouple in form of jackets can be used
with thermal insulation between hot plate in contact with
human body (specifically chest and back because human
body emit more heat from chest compared to other part of
body) and cold junction (exposed as external
surface).Though small voltage in range of millivolts could be
generated with temperature difference of 50° C by use of
type.
T thermocouple which can be experimented to get more
output. Though this is just our ideas, real implementation and
conceptualization would require some time and efforts on our
part. Similarly by driving on such road & bridge, due to
compression the hydraulic pump can to rotate generators in
turn generate electricity. In regions where temperature falls
below zero degree, use of thermocouple can be implemented
to generate electricity. Idea is to use human body as a hot
junction while atmospheric temperature as cold junction.
www.ijemr.net ISSN (ONLINE): 2250-0758, ISSN (PRINT): 2394-6962

Thus thermocouple in form of jackets can be used with

thermal insulation between hot plate in contact with human
body specifically chest and back because human body emit
more heat from chest compared to other part of body and
cold junction exposed as external surface. Other idea that
struck our mind while studying alternative source of energy
was use of thermocouple to generate electricity. In regions
where temperature falls below zero degree, use of
thermocouple can be implemented to generate electricity.
Idea is to use human body as a hot junction while
atmospheric temperature as cold junction.

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[4] “ANALYTICAL MODELS TO PREDICT POWER
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