A team of college students came together to design a new traffic intersection that transforms the power of footsteps into energy. The theories behind piezoelectricity, or the conversion of movements and vibrations into electricity, have existed for over 100 years. Very few applications of piezoelectricity exist in this modern age. Upon researching this technology, they immediately realized a multitude of different avenues one could take to utilize it.
Piezoelectric plates are placed under the cross-walk so that vibrations and pressure fluctuations caused by cars and pedestrians can be converted into electricity. The electricity is piped to power street lamps, traffic signals, cameras and other electronic devices located in the vicinity. What an awesome idea for busy metropolises.
Designers: Ian Jaye, Jovan Popovic & Patrick Houin
nice concept!
but, how much cost?
Combine this with the EKO by Damjan Stankovic: http://relogik.com/eko
this is a good one!
make it out of NMetal, and it'll be quicker to produce and more durable 🙂
It would be very useful for pedestrians but for cars…??????
I pursued a similar idea in my master's research and spoke with engineers that produce the most current piezoelectric materials.Unfortunately the amount of energy produced by piezoelectric materials is far too small at this stage of development for this to work any time soon. I'm really hopeful about the future of this kind of technology and hope they make some breakthroughs soon so we can see these kinds of ideas implemented!
Muito interessante, se possível gostaria de receber informações técnicas a respeito de como instalar isso em minha cidade.
Edmilson Borba
55(99)35412306
Maranhão – Amazônia legal/Brasil
Muito interessante, se possÃvel gostaria de receber informações técnicas a respeito de como instalar isso em minha cidade.
Edmilson Borba
55(99)35412306
Maranḥo РAmaz̫nia legal/Brasil
I like the general concept. And there is a lot of research going on about pizo elements and the using of them in public streets.
However during a project for new street lights in new sustainable suburbs in the Netherlands, we discovered that a lot of light is simple wasted. Streetlights pointing all over the place, including up to the sky, are causing light pollution. Led lights can save a lot of energy, but don't waste the energy you still need to light your new traffic posts. These Traffic Posts shine all over the place. Imagine you living next to that post, imagine your bedroom window 6 feet from that thing. I wouldn't sleep! Ever!
I like this concept, but I don't like the idea of still wasting energy you still can save by only directing your light.