[Bldg-sim] Not a simulation question, but need help looking for vendor/ product developer for piezoelectric application / floor tiles.

[David Scheer]

That's the point here:  developing new technology.  I may not be rational on floor tiles, but would be applicable elsewhere.  
The whoopie cushion idea brings up thoughts of places where energy is just dissipated by creating noise or heat:  Sitting down in a chair, spring return; automobile shock absorbers and springs; elevators going down (flywheels are sometimes implemented here); any kind of cyclical process where energy is 'used' to create potential energy or dissipate kinetic energy ... if the technology is developed and cheap, it could go anywhere.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: dlombard at earthlink.net 
  To: Chris Yates ; 'Chris Yates' ; near_ej at yahoo.com ; bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org 
  Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2010 10:42 AM
  Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Not a simulation question, but need help looking for vendor/ product developer for piezoelectric application / floor tiles.



  So then we should harness the elastic potential energy of vertical and horizontal building materials/elements on a highrise or any building where it's material deflect from wind pressure or other pressure.

  Is any company out there doing this now?

  Debra


    -----Original Message----- 
    From: Chris Yates 
    Sent: Apr 11, 2010 7:11 AM 
    To: 'Chris Yates' , near_ej at yahoo.com, bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org 
    Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Not a simulation question, but need help looking for vendor/ product developer for piezoelectric application / floor tiles. 


    Neeraj,



    I apologise for my response. I do not wish it to reflect in any way on the professionalism and help that this list endeavours to supply. I was out of order, sorry.



    I seek to supply a more appropriate reply (and in doing so open myself to ridicule because there are probably a couple of mistakes in my working out!). Here goes:



    The feasibility of a piezoelectric system implemented as floor tiles does seem to fly in the face of my understanding of Newton, Force and Work.



    Average person has a mass of, say, 70kg.



    Force exerted by both feet, therefore = mass x gravity = 70 x 9.81 = 686.7Newtons or 343 per foot



    For the transfer of energy with every foot fall Work must be done to the tile. That means it must undertake some deflection. The resulting work transferred to the tile in Joules would be similar to the elastic potential energy equation: EPE = ½ x kX2 



    Let’s say the tile deflects 1mm under one foot. Therefore the spring constant k for the tile would be 343350N/m and EPE of the tile whilst stood on would be 0.172 Joules.



    This is just EPE stored by the tile whilst loaded. The tile will probably consist of the piezo device and a substrate which the energy will dissipate over. Let’s be generous and assume 20% of that work is converted to electrical energy. We are now talking about 0.034 Joules per foot fall. The rest will escape as heat. Considering a human metabolism whilst walking will be of the order of 120 Watts plus (Watts = Joules / second) the energy recovered through floor tiles would be minimal.



    I hope this is useful.



    Chris



    From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Chris Yates
    Sent: 10 April 2010 12:33
    To: near_ej at yahoo.com; bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
    Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Not a simulation question, but need help looking for vendor/ product developer for piezoelectric application / floor tiles.



    Neeraj,



    An interesting application. Although I cannot help you with the piezoelectric devices you seek, I do know a very reliable manufacturer of whoopee cushions. If these could somehow be connected into a turbine generator system, then I’m sure you could generate an equivalent amount of power. Other benefits include:

    <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         With the deluxe “auto inflating” range, the cushions would remove air from the room with every footfall – energy free ventilation!

    <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         Whoopee cushion technology is tried and tested, having been developed over the last 80 years.

    <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         Zero ODP & GWP

    <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         Fun, and a possible lasting attraction encouraging users back to the building for years to come!



    Best regards



    Chris Yates



    From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of "near_ej at yahoo.com"
    Sent: 10 April 2010 04:10
    To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
    Subject: [Bldg-sim] Not a simulation question, but need help looking for vendor/ product developer for piezoelectric application / floor tiles.



    Hello all,

    We are exploring the feasibility of deploying a piezoelectric application in a large (approx. 2,00,000 sqft), 9 stories tall, public building coming up in India.
    The building is being planned right now -- currently in the design development phase rolling fast towards final design and tendering stage(s). It is expected to see a very high foot fall on the ground and first floor levels and that's where I need further help. Is there a company available to design and sell an application or a product that will generate electricity -- perhaps using some sort of floor tiles?

    Any of you who could help me may write to me directly since this is not a simulation question.

    Thanks,
    Neeraj

    Neeraj Kapoor
    t: +91.99581.70018


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