Harvesting energy from human traffic. (24th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Dazzle; Sayat, Mikhael; Aw, Kean
• Is Part Of: International journal of biomechatronics and biomedical robotics. Volume 4:Number 1(2012)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2023-01-24
• Subjects: energy harvester -- electromagnet solenoid -- pavement; Medical electronics -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; 610.2805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-6792

Abstract

This brief report investigates a mechanically simple pavement energy harvester using a linear electromagnetic solenoid. This energy harvester will harvest energy from human foot traffic and the design is unique in the sense that it has a very limited vertical displacement of only 1.5 mm and hence minimal effect on the walking gait. This prototype can generate output energy of 164 mW and 833 mW for a single step across a 27 Ω load when a person makes a single step and jump on the pavement respectively. Using a rectifier, the charging of a capacitor with each foot step has been demonstrated. The energy can be increased by having more electromagnetic solenoids.