STEPTILE: LIGHTING THE FUTURE WITH PIEZOELECTRICITY

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Piezoelectricity, derived from the Greek word Piezein, which means pressure, is the ability of a material to generate an internal electric field when subjected to mechanical stress or strain (Berlincourt, 1971). A factual connection of piezoelectric phenomena and crystallographic structure was published in 1880 by French physicists Pierre and Paul-Jacques Curie in which they discovered that when they compress certain types along certain axes of crystals, such as Quartz, Tourmaline, and Rochelle salt, a current of electricity is produced on the surface of the crystal, which is also known as piezoelectric effect.

Piezoelectric materials are useful for Mechanical to Mechanical, in terms of the kinetic energy applied to the pads, the Mechanical to Electrical, in terms of the kinetic energy being converted into electricity by the crystals and Electrical to Electrical, in terms of the electricity being transformed into a consumable energy which will be applied in this research.

Pavegen Systems is a technology company founded by Laurence Kemball-Cook in 2009.

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They developed a device that uses footsteps to 12-20 volts into an average amount of electrical power. It works as electromagnetic generators placed on a tile, when compressed, produces energy while it is being stepped. The researchers conceptualized the idea of technology based from pavegen using cheaper and efficient materials as compared to the original version.

In the Philippines, there are a lot of vacant areas like streets or highways. Electricity is always a concern because of its unavailability in remote places such as in the provinces, but generation of energy is easy to apply because of today's technology which is very much upgraded depending on its uses.

The number of people, the weight of each step, the time consumed is calculated in this research. The process of cheaper device compared to the original invention of Pavegen is the technology to be found out.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Producing electricity has been a major cause of global warming due to the heat of the process of producing fossil fuels. This heat gradually increases the Earth's temperature. In addition, in the process of burning of fossil fuels also produces a product which is harmful to human health, namely Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

In the start of industrialization, humans made use of fossil fuels as an energy source to produce electricity with the use of heat. The usage of fossil fuel in producing of electricity is very costly. The researchers seek to help the consumers to lessen their electric bill, and a great sum of money will also be saved by using a renewable energy source. (Jayaraman, 2013)

Rotational brownouts are very common in the Philippines especially during summer season due to insufficient power generation capacity. Some of the areas are experiencing fluctuation of current that causes harm to the appliances at home.

By reviewing these problems, designing a new form of renewable energy such as Piezoelectricity would be helpful. Piezoelectricity is clearly an environmentally friendly energy source. Piezoelectric materials may also need little maintenance, and inceptive investment can be retrieved fairly in a short time.

1.3 Significance of the Study

At the end of this study, the researchers would be able to generate at least 12-20 volts. Knowing this, the findings of this study will benefit the economy; considering that Piezoelectric study will play an important role that can help the community by lowering both the electric bill and energy consumption. Academic institutions will benefit as it will lessen the brownouts which will improve the quality of education of the students and better working conditions for teachers and staffs, as well as lessen the electric bill of the institution.

Lastly this research will benefit the future researchers in their research by aiding them in their pursuit of knowledge.