Comparative Analysis of Voltage, Current and Power Produced in a Piezoelectric System from Human Foot Beats

Aims: This study analysed and compared the amount of voltage, current and power generated in a piezoelectric system from human foot beats.

Study Design: The study was an experimental study which made use of piezoelectric materials together with human loads (weights) from the foot beats of dancers in a dance club, and connected to a rechargeable battery and multimeter. In this system, mechanical deformation was expected to cause conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy which can be stored in a rechargeable lead acid battery for future use.

Place and Duration of Study: Awka Anambra State, Nigeria, between November 2018 and February 2020.

Methodology: A sheet of plywood measuring 300 mm x 300 mm x 3 mm thick was placed on a hard wooden board of 300 mm x 300 mm x 25 mm thickwhere twelve piezoelectric sensors were connected in series with foam spring inserted as separators and to aid in returning after deformation. As the dancers step on the platform, multimetr was used to take the voltage and current readings while at the output point Lead acid rechargeable battery could be connected at the output point to store energy generated in the system and orLight Emitting Diodes (LED) and Universal Serial Bus (USB) outputs.

Results: The result revealed that the amount of voltage, current and power generated in the system were principally dependent on the load (weight of dancers in kg). In this case, 1 foot beat of an average 50 kg dancer generated an average of 0.555 mV and 0.063 mA respectively. Whereas, 60 kg and 80 kg dancers generated 0.668 mV and 0.838 mV respectively, and 0.081 mA and 0.087 mA respectively. It further showed that at constant number of foot beats, the amount of voltage, current and power increases as the weight of dancer increases and the lesser the weight the more number of foot beats required to generate the same quantity of electricity. In this case, 100 foot beats of a 50 kg, 60 kg and 80 kg dancer generated 55.5 mV, 66.8 mV, and 84,1 mV of voltage; 6.3 mA, 8.2 mA, and 8.8 mA of current and 349.65 mW, 544.42 mW and 740.08 mW of power respectively.

Conclusion: Implicitly, this system has the potential of alleviating the problem of electricity supply and meeting of vision 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for electricity mix in Nigeria. However, it is mostly required where there are high volumes of human traffic and places that consume minimal amount of electricity, since it usually generates very small amount of energy. In view of this, there is need for a more robust research in this area and increase genuine interest in alternative and sustainable energy research by the Nigerian government.