“TOWARDS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGICAL EXCELLENCE”

A SEMINAR REPORT ON

PIEZOELECTRIC
HARVESTING

FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY IN

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

SUBMITTED BY

GAURANG.G.DESHPANDE

ID: 18004064

GUIDED BY

PROF. S.S. THAKARE MAM

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND

TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING GOVERNMENT
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, AMRAVATI

(AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA)

MAHARASHTRA STATE, INDIA.

2021 - 2022
 GOVERNMENT COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,
AMRAVATI – 444603

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND

TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the seminar entitled “PIEZOELECTRIC HARVESTING”

results of the work completed under my supervision and guidance within the four
walls of the institute and the same has not been submitted for the award of any
degree.
Submitted by,

Gaurang.G.Deshpande
ID: 18004064

S.S. Thakare Dr. P.R. Deshmukh

(Guide) (Head of Department)
 DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the seminar entitled, “PIEZOELECTRIC HARVESTING”

was carried out and written by us under the guidance of S.S. Thakare , department of
Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Govt. College of Engineering, Amravati.
This work has not been previously formed the basis for the award of any degree or diploma
or certificate nor has been submitted elsewhere for the award of any degree or diploma.

Date: 04/12/2021 Gaurang.G.Deshpande

Place: Amravati. ID: 18004064
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It gives me immense pleasure on bringing out the seminar report entitled

“PIEZOELECTRIC HARVESTING”. My deepest sense of gratitude to my respected guide
S.S.Thakare Mam, for valuable guidance, constant encouragement and enlightened
comments preparing project work. Her appreciative suggestions always motivated me for
putting efforts on my parts. Without her valuable guidance and constant inspiration, it was
hardly possible to present project report.
I am also thankful to my Principal Dr. A. M. Mahalle and my Head of Department Dr.
P.R.Deshmukh for providing me the facilities during this seminar work.
I put forth my sincere thanks to all who directly or indirectly helped me in this project
work.

Gaurang.G.Deshpande
ID: 18004064

ABSTRACT
Power generation and its use is one of the issues. Now-a-days numbers of power sources are
present, non-renewable &renewable, but still we can’t overcome our power needs. Among these
human population is one of the resources. In this project we are doing generation of power by
walking or running. Power can be generated by walking on the stairs. The generated power will be
stored and then we can use it for domestic purpose. This system can be installed at homes, schools,
colleges, where the people move around the clock. When people walk on the steps or that of
platform, power is generated by using weight of person. The control mechanism carries piezoelectric
sensor, this mechanical energy applied on the crystal into electrical energy. When there is some
vibrations, stress or straining force exert by foot on flat platform.
 INDEX

Chapter number Description

CERTIFICATE
DECLARATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
LIST OF FIGURES
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Need of piezoelectric harvesting
2. LITERATURE SURVEY
2.1 Literature survey
2.2 Existing system
2.3 Proposed system
3. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
3.1 Piezoelectric effect
3.2 How is electricity generated ?
3.3 Basic principal of working
4. PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
4.1 Circuit Diagram
4.2 Working
5. APPLICATIONS
6. FUTURE SCOPE
6.1 Pavegen tiles
7. LIMITATIONS
8. CONCLUSIONS
9. REFERENCES
 Figure Description
1]fig1 Neutral molecule
2]fig2 Small dipole formed in a molecule
3]fig3 Many dipoles aligned in a molecule
4]fig4 Direct piezoelectric effect
5]fig7 Series-parallel combination of
piezoelectric crystal
6]fig8 Sample model having 6 piezos
7]fig9 Pavegen tile

CHAPTER NO. 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Increasing in depletion of fossil fuel and non-renewable energy has been demanded a critical needed
for another alternative source of energy to replace the depletion and continuously supply the
increasing of energy request. Energy is the ability to do work . Electricity is one of the commonly
used energy and it is increasing in line with people. The objective in this invention is to use the
increasing of human population and give high impact in increasing the energy while reducing the
negative effect on the environment. This utilizes power also do not depend or rely on the climate
condition. The average human footstep can take about 3000 -5000 steps a day .This footstep can
generate more electricity to achieve the demand needed. The energy from footstep can be
extracted by vibration and electromagnetic, electrostatic and piezoelectric are the three types of
vibration to electrical energy conversion .In this method simple phenomenon of piezoelectric i. e
when applied pressure it generates electricity is used.

As the availability of conventional energy declines, there is need to find alternate energy sources. All
most all the state electricity departments in our country, they are unable to supply the power
according to the demand. The power produced by these companies is not even sufficient for
domestic utilities; in such critical situation it is very difficult to divert the energy for other public
needs. There by an alternative source must be discovered, many people proposes for solar energy,
but it is going to be a costliest affair, moreover availability of solar energy is poor particularly
in rainy & winter seasons, as a result it is not dependable. Hence an alternative cheapest method
must be determined for few applications; consequently this project work has been taken up,
which is aimed to generate electricity from footsteps mechanism. Out of the many alternative
energy resources, this technology described in this project report is the ultimate source of all
known forms of energy. It is clear, safe, and free, does not pollute the environment and thus will be
an extremely viable alternative in the days to come. As there is a tremendous increase in the crowd,
the load applied on the footsteps by the people, it generates nonstop energy, which can be stored
and utilized to energize the street lights. Here the concept is to convert the mechanical energy in to
electric energy. Man has needed and used energy at an increasing rate for his sustenance and well-
being ever since he came on the earth a few million years ago. Primitive man required energy
primarily in the form of food. He derived this by eating plants or animals, which he hunted.
With the passage of time, man started to cultivate land for agriculture. He added a new dimension
to the use of energy by domesticating and training animals to work for him.

With further demand for energy, man began to use the wind for sailing ships and for driving
windmills, and the force of falling water to turn water for sailing ships and for driving
windmills, and the force of falling water to turn water wheels. Till this time, it would not be
wrong to say that the sun was supplying all the energy needs of man either directly or indirectly and
that man was using only renewable sources of energy. This whole human energy being wasted if can
be made possible for utilization it will be great invention and power producing platform will be
very useful energy sources in crowded countries.

1.2 NEED OF PIEZOELECTRIC HARVESTING:

Increasing in depletion of fossil fuel and non-renewable energy has been demanded a critical needed
for another alternative source of energy to replace the depletion and continuously supply the
increasing of energy request.

With the increasing population, the need of gadgets which are energy dependent is increasing
exponentially and while as mentioned above the limited sources of energy are decreasing.

Solar energy is one of the energy sources which are in plenty but their conversion from light to
electricity is quite tedious. Even if one converts light into electricity then the big problem which
arises is of storing this electric energy. The batteries are made up of mostly Silicon, which again is
limited.
CHAPTER NO. 2
2.1LITERATURE SURVEY
1.2.1 Piezo-based power generation, Umeda et al. (1996) The Piezo crystal sought after a device that
would eliminate the need to charge up portables before taking them anywhere. The device would
charge the mobile device enroute while traveling. To accomplish this, they constructed a piezo-
generator that transforms mechanical impact energy to electrical energy by using a steel ball which
impacts the generator. The steel ball is initially 5mm above a bronze disk (27mm in diameter and
0.25mm thick). The ball falls and strikes the center of the disk producing a bending vibration. The
ball continues to bounce on the disk till it stops. The piezo patch converts the vibrational energy of
the bouncing ball to electrical energy and stores a voltage in a capacitor. They performed analyses
on two things. The first case was on the first impact. The second case was on multiple impacts from
the ball. For the first case, higher voltage and capacitance affects the generator. If the capacitance is
small, the voltage will go up quickly, limiting the time current will flow. On the other hand, if the
capacitance is large, it takes time for the voltage to build up and allows the current to flow for more
time. For the second case, the capacitance affects multiple impacts the same way it does for a single
impact. As the initial voltage increases, the charge decreases for each capacitance. The achieved a
maximum efficiency of 35% which is over three times higher than a solar cell. 6
 1.2.2 Piezo-based power generation applications, Hausler (1984) The paper discusses implanting
piezoceramic patches into a living body to harvest power from breathing, more specifically the
elongation of the inspiration phase. The area where the patch might be located could be the lateral
area of an upper rib. The power requirement for pulmonary ventilation is between 0.1 and 40W. So
the 5mW needed to get 1mW with a 20% coupling coefficient is negligible. They used two PVDF with
a 15% coupling coefficient and a max strain safety strain of 2%, weighing 128mg, and allowing a max
power of 240μm . These sheets are rolled into a tube with a 2.6mm diameter and length of 40mm.
Simulating rub movements with an external mechanical arrangement, they measured an electric
power of 20μW . A mongrel dog weighing 25kg was operated on to attach the device. A voltage of
18V corresponded to a power of 17μW . This power was constant for three hours until the
experiment was terminated. The strain was only 0.5% instead of 2%. In conclusion, this power is too
small. A film with 30% coupling coefficient and a mass of 100mg and an electric power output of
1mW should be more appropriate. Also, the alternating voltage would need to be rectified and
stored in a Lithium accumulator.

1.2.3 Non-piezo-based power generation, Lakic (1989) This makes an airbag that can be adjusted for
snugness in a ski boot. The foot warmer mechanism is mounted entirely on an insert for the outer
boot or shoe, and includes an electrical resistance heater, an electrical generator, a mechanical
transducer to translate vertical movements of the wearer's heel into uni-directional rotational
movement of a flywheel, and a gear box mechanically coupling the flywheel to the electrical
generator. Specific features of the invention include an air pump to supply air pressure to an air
chamber, including an air bag which extends over the instep of the shoe to control the snugness of
the shoe; and communicating channels within the shoe to direct air across the electrical generator
and heater and to the air bag, thereby warming the entire foot of the wearer. Further embodiments
include tubing to direct warmed air to a suit having an inflated lining to warm the suit.

1.2.4 Modelling of Piezoelectric on Beams and Plates, Crawley and de Luis It develops analytical
models of mechanical coupling between piezoelectric actuators and substrates. Static models are
established to couple structures to several different actuator configurations, including surface-
bonded and embedded configurations. These static models are then coupled into a dynamic model
of a cantilever beam. They use the Rayleigh-Ritz equation of motion to model the beam. A scaling
analysis is also performed to determine how changes in the structure affect the actuator efficiency.
Also within the scaling analysis, Crawley and de Luis 7 determined that taking the second derivative
of the structure mode shapes and finding the resulting roots (“zero crossing points”) represented
“strain nodes.” These “strain nodes” are points along the beam where the strain changes from
positive to negative. Piezoelectric should not be bonded across these “strain nodes” in order to
maximize their effectiveness.

1.2.5 Electrical Power Generation Using Piezoelectric Crystal, Anil Kumar The usefulness of most high
technology devices such as cell phones, computers, and sensors is limited by the storage capacity of
batteries. In the future, these limitations will become more pronounced as the demand for wireless
power outpaces battery development which is already nearly optimized. Thus, new power
generation techniques are required for the next generation of wearable computers, wireless
sensors, and autonomous systems to be feasible. Piezoelectric materials are excellent power
generation devices because of their ability to couple mechanical and electrical properties. For
example, when an electric field is applied to piezoelectric a strain is generated and the material is
deformed. Consequently, when a piezoelectric is strained it produces an electric field; therefore,
piezoelectric materials can convert ambient vibration into electrical power. Piezoelectric materials
have long been used as sensors and actuators; however their use as electrical generators is less
established. A piezoelectric power generator has great potential for some remote applications such
as in vivo sensors, embedded MEMS devices, and distributed networking. Developing piezoelectric
generators is challenging because of their poor source characteristics (high voltage, low current, high
impedance) and relatively low power output. This paper presents a theoretical analysis to increase
the piezoelectric power generation that is verified with experimental results.

2.2 EXISTING SYSTEM:

Other people have developed piezo-electric (mechanical-to-electrical) surfaces in the past, but the
Crowd Farm has the potential to redefine urban space by adding a sense of fluidity and encouraging
people to activate spaces with their movement. The Crowd Farm floor is composed of standard parts
that are easily replicated but it is expensive to produce at this stage. This technology would facilitate
the future creation of new urban landscapes athletic fields with a spectator area, music halls,
theatres, nightclubs and a large gathering space for rallies, demonstrations and celebrations, railway
stations, bus stands, subways, airports etc. Like Capable Of Harnessing Human Locomotion For
Electricity Generation.

2.3 PROPOSED SYSTEM:

Proposal for the utilization of waste energy of foot power with human locomotion is very much
relevant and important for highly populated countries like India and China where the roads, railway
stations, bus stands, temples, etc. are all over crowded and millions of people move around
the clock. This whole human/bio-energy being wasted if can be made possible for utilization it will
be great invention and crowd energy farms will be very useful energy sources in crowded
countries. Walking across a "Crowd Farm," floor, then, will be a fun for idle people who can improve
their health by exercising in such farms with earning. The electrical energy generated at such
farms will be useful for nearby applications. The creation of new source of perennial
environmentally acceptable, low cost electrical energy as a replacement for energy from rapidly
depleting resources of fossil fuels is the fundamental need for the survival of mankind. We have only
about 25 years of oil reserves and 75 – 100 years of coal reserves. Resort to measure
beginning of coal in thermal electric stations to serve the population would result in global
elementary change in leading to worldwide drought and decertification. The buzzards of nuclear
electric-stations are only too will. Now electric power beamed directly by micro-wave for orbiting
satellite. Solar power stations (S.P.S) provide a cost-effective solution even though work on solar
photo voltaic and solar thermo electric energy sources has been extensively pursued by many
countries. Earth based solar stations suffer certain basic limitations

CHAPTER NO. 3
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT:
3.1 PIEZOELECTRIC EFFECT:
Piezoelectricity, discovered by Curie brothers in 1880, originated from the Greek word “piezenin”,
meaning, to press. The original meaning of the word “piezoelectric” implies “Pressure electricity’ –
the generation of electric field from applied pressure. This definition ignores the fact that the
process is reversible , thus allowing the generation of mechanical motion by applying a field.
Piezoelectricity is observed if a stress is applied to a solid, for example, by bending twisting or
squeezing it. The piezoelectric effect is a special material property that exists in many single
crystalline materials. Some such crystalline structures are Quartz, Rochelle salt, Topaz, Tourmaline,
Cane sugar, Berlinite (AlPO4), bone, tendon, silk, enamel, dentin, Barium Titanate (BaTiO3), Lead
Titanate (PbTiO3), Potassium Niobate (KNbO3), Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) etc. Direct piezoelectric
effect – the production of electricity when stress is applied, Converse piezoelectric effect – the
production of stress and/or strain when an electric field is applied.
3.2 HOW IS ELECTRICITY GENERATED ?
On molecular level: Before subjecting the material to some external stress: The centres of the
negative and positive charges of each molecule coincide, The external effects of the charges are
reciprocally cancelled, As a result, an electrically neutral molecule appear . After exerting some
pressure on the material.

The internal structure is deformed, That causes the separation of the positive and negative centres
of the molecules, As a result, little dipoles are generated.

Eventually: The facing poles inside the material are mutually cancelled, A distribution of a linked
charge appears in the material’s surfaces and the material is polarized, The polarization generates
an electric field and can be used to transform the mechanical energy of the material’s deformation
into electrical energy.

Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3

3.3 BASIC PRINCIPAL OF WORKING:

The working principle of a Piezoelectric Transducer is based on the fact that when a mechanical
force is applied on a piezoelectric crystal, a voltage is produced across its faces. Thus, mechanical
phenomena is converted into electrical signal.

Fig 4
A piezoelectric transducer can generate voltages in the range of a few milli-Volts to tens of Volts,
depending on their construction.

Most of the commercially available piezoelectric transducers that are meant for hobby purposes
generate voltages in the range of 10mV to 100mV.

Piezoelectricity, also called the piezoelectric effect, is the ability of certain materials to generate
an AC(alternating current) voltage when subjected to mechanical stress or vibration, or to vibrate
when subjected to an AC voltage, or both.

CHAPTER NO.4
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
4.1 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Fig 5

Fig 6
4.2 WORKING:
A piezoelectric sensor is made up of piezoelectric material (quartz-most used). It used to convert the
mechanical stress into electrical charge. The output of the Piezoelectric Sensor is AC. We need a full
bridge rectifier to convert it into DC. The output voltage of the sensor is less than 30Vp-p, you can
feed the output of piezoelectric sensor or can store it into battery or other storage devices. The
impedance of the piezoelectric sensor is less than 500 ohm. The operating and storage temperature
range is -20°C~+60°C and -30°C~+70°C respectively.

After making connections as per the Piezoelectric Sensor circuit diagram, when we provide
mechanical stress to the piezoelectric sensor it generates voltage. The output of the piezoelectric
sensor is in AC form. For converting it from AC to DC we are using a full bridge rectifier. The output
of the rectifier is connected across a 47uF capacitor. The voltage generated by the piezoelectric
sensor get stored in the capacitor. And, when the push-button is pressed all the stored energy is
transferred to the LED and LED turns ON till the capacitor get discharged.In this circuit, the LED is
glowing for a fraction of seconds.

To increase the ON time of LED you can increase the capacitor rating, but it will take more time to
charge. Even, you can connect more piezoelectric sensor in series to generate more electrical
energy. Also, the diode is used for blocking the current to flow from capacitor to piezoelectric sensor
and the resistor is current limiting resistor. You can also connect a LED directly to the piezoelectric
sensor but it will just flash.

When the piezoelectric are connected in series the output voltage is high but the output current is
low . For the parallel connection of the piezoelectric transducer. It give high current but low output
voltage. In order to solve this problem, the combination of this connection needs to carry out. Two
set of three piezoelectric transducers that connected in series was attached together in parallel to
form series-parallel connection. The value of voltage as well as current output are both satisfactory
Fig 7
 Fig 8

CHAPTER NO. 5
APPLICATIONS:
1]POWER GENERATING SIDEWALK :

The piezoelectric crystal arrays are laid underneath pavements, side walks and other high traffic
areas like highways, speed breakers for maximum voltage generation. The voltage thus generated
from the array can be used to charge the chargeable Lithium batteries, capacitors etc. These
batteries can be used as per the requirement.

2]POWER GENERATING BOOTS OR SHOES:

An idea is being researched by DARPA in the United States in a project called Energy Harvesting,
which includes an attempt to power battlefield equipment by piezoelectric generators embedded in
soldiers' boots. However, these energy harvesting sources by association have an impact on the
body. DARPA's effort to harness 1-2 watts from continuous shoe impact while walking were
abandoned due to the discomfort from the additional energy expended by a person wearing the
shoes.

3]GYMS AND WORKPLACES :

Researchers are also working on the idea of utilizing the vibrations caused from the machines in the
gym. At workplaces, while sitting on the chair, energy can be stored in the batteries by laying
piezoelectric crystals in the chair. Also, the studies are being carried out to utilize the vibrations in a
vehicle, like at clutches, gears, seats, shock-ups, foot rests.

4] MOBILE KEYPAD AND KEYBOARDS:

The piezoelectric crystals can be laid down under the keys of a mobile unit and keyboards. For the
press of every key, the vibrations being created can be used for piezoelectric crystal and hence can
be used for charging purpose.

5]FLOOR MATS, TILES AND CARPETS :

A series of crystals can be laid below the floor mats, tiles and carpets which are frequently uses at
public places.

6]PEOPLE POWERED DANCE CLUBS :

In Europe, certain nightclubs have already begun to power their night clubs, strobes and stereos by
use of piezoelectric crystals. The crystals are laid underneath the dance floor. When a bulk of people
use this dance floor, enormous amount of voltage is generated which can be used to power the
equipments of the night club.

7]PIEZOELECTRIC WIND MILL:

The piezoelectric wind mill consists of a fan with three blades to effectively capture the wind flow. A
disc is connected at the lower end of translator, such that whenever it moves upwards and
downwards, it compresses the piezoelectric crystals. Hence for different speeds of wind also, that is
for different frequencies, the Piezoelectric Wind mill may function. Hence, it has higher workable
bandwidth. The constant compression of piezoelectric crystals causes a huge amount of energy to be
generated, which can drive the remotely placed low power consuming devices.

CHAPTER NO. 6
FUTURE SCOPE
6.1 PAVEGEN TILES:
But how exactly does it work? Power is generated when the tile is compressed. It uses the
piezoelectric effect – the ability of certain materials to generate an electrical current when
compressed.

One footstep triggers three or four generators .There are no dead spots. Before [when the tile was
square] only 20% of steps would be in the right place. This way you are almost guaranteeing 100%.

It is believed that 270 tiles in an area of 80 sq m (861 sq ft) will generate 1kW of power from 120
pedestrians. This amount of power per hour enables you to watch six episodes of the latest series of
Game of Thrones on your plasma TV or type away on your laptop for as much as 20 hours.
The dimensions of a single tile is 500mm each side . As people step on it , surfaces displaces
vertically between 5mm and 10mm.

To illustrate the potential of the tile, Pavegen uses an example based on pedestrian traffic on one of
London’s busiest streets, Oxford Street. The prediction assumes that all pedestrians walk across two
17m arrays of tiles.

Weekday pedestrian numbers on Oxford Street total around 138,000, according to Gehl Architects,
but can rise to 500,000 at peak times. Based on these figures, Pavegen reckons it could yield 3,200
watt hours a day. This is enough energy to light the main thoroughfare of Oxford Street even
through the darkest winter night.

The new tile is no longer just about energy production, however. It is about data mapping and
storage. The tile, which is both Bluetooth- and WiFi-enabled, now provides analyses of consumer
patterns by tracking footfall and heat mapping.

Fig 9

Fig 10 Fig 11
 Fig 12

CHAPTER NO. 7
LIMITATIONS:
1]Regular and constant inspection for moderate effects of heavy traffic loads. Inspection is needed at
regular intervals is needed as due to heavy traffic loads the crystals might get damaged.

2]Not appropriate for large scale energy harvesting as tiny factor can make a difference . For
example the effect of rain ,snow cannot be completely neglected.

3]The overall design of devices including all parts, integrating the whole device in thin films,
accumulation in rechargeable batteries, and taking into account the energy consumption needed to
store the harvested energy.

4]The problem regarding the storage of electricity generated is still there.

5]Thermal as well as vibrations due to earthquakes , also the connections made while connecting
this whole setup might change the desired output.

CHAPTER NO. 8
CONCLUTIONS:
A piezoelectric tile is capable of generating more voltage when longer the time taken. The longer the
time taken means more footstep/force are applied on the tile. The linear relation is found between
the voltage generated and the time taken. This piezoelectric are specifically suitable for the
implementation in the crowded area such as pavement street, train ticket counter, stairs and dance
floor. The piezoelectric tile is also suited for the exercise tile such as for skipping or on the treadmill.
The power that is generated from this piezoelectric tile can be used to power up the light street,
light along the stairs and also low power appliances.

CHAPTER NO. 9
REFERENCE:
1]M. Nitashree, et.al., “Foot Step Power Generation Using Piezoelectric Material,” International
Journal of Advanced Research in Electronics and Communication Engineering, vol. 4, pp. 2503-2506,
Oct 2015.

2]D. Marshiana, et al., “Footstep Power production using Piezoelectric Sensors,” Research Journal of
Pharmacy and Technology, vol 9, pp. 831-834, Jul 2016.

3]https://pavegen.com/

4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD15-2Uriyc

5]https://www.slideshare.net/subashjohn1/piezoelectric-electric-based-energy-harvesting