FUTURE USES OF THE PIEZOELECTRIC EFFECT FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION How the Piezoelectric Effect Works (original) (raw)

It has become clear that engineers must find alternative solutions for the energy crisis. One promising alternative utilizes technology whose current applications range from sparking barbeque grills to powering clocks and lights. This technology is known as the piezoelectric effect in which pressure (or deformation) can generate electricity and vice versa. The piezoelectric effect can be used to harvest the energy used in walking to help reduce the impact of electricity generation on the environment, but unless the nano-particles used in creating piezoelectric generators are carefully monitored these generators could cause more harm than good. In this paper, we will discuss how scientists and engineers are looking to use this effect to generate electric power on a mass scale via piezoelectric floor tiles. The concept relies on using the pressure from human footsteps to activate and generate power. The East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has installed piezoelectric tiles in a subway that sees 2.4 million passengers in the station each day. Some nanoparticles have been shown to be toxic to both humans and bacteria, and the use of piezoelectricity could spread these harmful nano-particles if it is not regulated properly, which poses some ethical dilemmas. The piezoelectric effect identifies most closely with the Conference Topic area of energy. This effect is also cross disciplinary because it calls upon concepts of Materials Science, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering because it is the bridge between mechanical and electrical energy.