February 22, 2014

[Electrical Power Generation Using Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile Design]

Electrical Power Generation

Using Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile Prototype Design
Background
World net electricity generation increases by 93 percent, from 20.2 trillion Kilo-Watt-Hours
(KWh) in 2010 to 39.0 trillion KWh in 4 . Electricity supplies an increasing share of the world s total
energy demand and is the world s fastest-growing form of delivered energy [1]. Electricity demand
will increase every year to follow population growth, prosperity improvement, and economic growth
as a whole [2]. The greater demand for electricity has been putting pressure on the availability and
cost of all natural resources.
Electricity is produced as base load, intermediate and peaking power. Base load power is the
energy necessary to keep the electric grid energized and meet customers constant demand.
Intermediate and peaking power are used for those parts of a day when electricity usage and energy
demand increases, and are usually much more expensive than base load. Fuel sources for base load
power include those that are economical and readily available, such as coal and nuclear.
Intermediate and peaking fuel sources include natural gas, because of its escalating costs, and
intermittent resources like solar and wind that produce electricity only when there s sufficient direct
sunlight or sufficient sustained wind speed [3].
Coal continues to be the fuel most widely used in electricity generation [1]. Given the huge role
coal plays in meeting the electricity demands, it is important to make sure it is a clean energy source,
related to the emissions per unit of energy produced.
Nuclear plants have again become part of the discussion about how to meet the electricity
needs because they are emissions-free and operate from a virtually unlimited fuel source but there
are still questions about what to do with spent fuel [3].
Although a fossil fuel like coal, natural gas burns cleaner, and the facilities required to convert
natural gas to electricity are much less complex and expensive to build, but the supply of natural gas,
and its resulting price, have been highly unstable over the past five years, making it very expensive to
use now for generating electricity [3]. The availability of natural gas is also a concern.
At this point, wind and solar power sources are intermittent and expensive. They are not viable
options because of regular cloud cover and relatively weak, inconsistent wind patterns. In those
areas of the country where wind is promising, it is still inherently hard to capture and is widely
dispersed. Wind turbines take up a lot of space. The wind equivalent of a typical base load plant
would require 300 square miles of turbines. While the price of solar photovoltaic cells has been slowly
dropping, solar-generated electricity is still four times more expensive than nuclear (and more than
five times the cost of coal). A solar facility equivalent to a 1,000-megawatt base load plant would
require about 60 square miles of panels alone and would still be at the mercy of daylight, clouds and
natural disasters [3].
Besides the greater demand for electricity, 68% of the population in developing countries lack
access to electricity [4]. Many of the world s poor cannot afford to pay for electricity. When grid
power is generated by oil or other imported non-renewable sources, fluctuating prices can make the
situation even worse [5]. Because extending power-grids into rural areas is an expensive investment
and the rural poor cannot afford to pay for electricity, it is unlikely that the majority of the population
will soon have access to grid energy [4]. Many countries are experiencing a power crisis. This is
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[Electrical Power Generation Using Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile Design]

characterized by frequent interruptions in service. Those who are fortunate enough to have access
to grid power may still not have the steady supply of energy that they need [6].
Enhancing renewable resources and off-grid energy which are unique to each community,
providing safe, reliable, and affordable service, also geographically and economically, is important
these days.
The newest concept and one of the promising options for the fulfillment of electrical energy is
the energy scavenging. Energy scavenging is defined as capturing minute amounts of energy from
one or more of the surrounding energy sources, accumulating them and storing them for later use
[7]. Energy scavenging has several advantages such as cheap, safe, maintenance free, flexible, and
can be used in various occasions. One of the sources of energy in our environment that can be used
and it is renewable, energy of vibration. This concept can be used to produce the renewable energy
in daily life and reduce the using of nonrenewable energy [8].
Vibration energy produces greater electrical energy density than other energies. The vibration
is also easily found around us. Some techniques that can be used for the conversion of vibrational
energy into electrical energy are electrostatic, electromagnetic and piezoelectric. Piezoelectric
materials have a high priority because of its stable energy density and it does not require outside
powers (N. Muensit, 2012). Piezoelectric materials can be used as a source of energy harvester, which
can be applied as a supplier of power to the sensor (UK Singh, 2007). In addition, the piezoelectric
material has the ability to convert mechanical stress into electrical energy (H, A Sodano, 2004) [8].
Piezoelectric effect is a unique property that allows materials to convert mechanical energy to
electrical energy and conversely, electrical energy to mechanical energy. The stimuli for piezoelectric
materials can be human walking, wind, rain, tide and wave. This effect can be an inherent property of
the material or it can be imparted to an existing non-piezoelectric material [9]. However, not every
material can be made piezoelectric; only certain crystal ceramics have the ability to become
piezoelectric [10].
One of the stimuli for piezoelectric materials is vibration, applied by human. Scholer, et. al.
were placing piezoelectric devices that are used to capture energy from foot traffic underneath
airport terminals. Shoes striking a piezoelectric pad underneath a floor tile act like a hammer hitting
the crystal material inside the pad. This energy from the shoe then creates a voltage that can be used
to power lighting systems. Hundreds or even thousands of these piezoelectric devices installed
underneath flooring to capture the kinetic energy from walking [11].
Japan has already started experimenting use of piezoelectric effect for energy generation by
installing special flooring tiles at its capitals two busiest stations [ ]. The special flooring tiles
embedded with piezoelectric elements, which are 35 millimeters in diameter, and disc-shaped
components used for loudspeakers. It uses 600 of these elements per square meter. While the
loudspeaker creates sound by converting electric signals to vibrations, the floor adopts the reverse
mechanism that produces electricity by harnessing the vibration power [11]. Tiles are installed in
front of ticket turnstiles. Thus every time a passenger steps on mats, they trigger a small vibration
that can be stored as energy. Energy thus generated by single passenger multiplied by many times
over by the 400,000 people who use Tokyo station on an average day, according to East Japan
Railway, which generates sufficient energy to light up electronic signboards. An average person
weighing 60 kg will generate only 0.1 watt in the single second required to take two steps across the
tile, but when they are covering a large area of floor space and thousands of people are stepping or
jumping on them, then significant amount of power can be generated. This energy created is
sufficient to run automatic ticket gates and electronic displays [12].

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[Electrical Power Generation Using Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile Design]

)n Netherlands, Rotterdam s new club WATT has a floor that harnesses the energy created by
dancer s steps. Designed by Dutch company called the Sustainable Dance club, the floor is based on
the piezoelectric effect. As club goers dance on floor, the floor is compressed by less than half an
inch. It makes contact with the piezoelectric material under it and generates around 2-20 watts of
electricity, depending on the impact of the dancers feet. Though at present, it s just enough to
power LED light present in the floor, but in future, more output is expected from newer technology.
In London, Surya, another new eco-nightclub, uses the same principle for its dance floor to generate
electricity [12].
The promising application of piezoelectric effect for capturing the vibration, applied by human,
is ceramic tiles. When such tiles are installed in locations where large crowd movements are
expected like in railway & bus stations, airports, malls, and a person steps on them, than by
piezoelectric effect small charge is built up on surface of crystals. Though energy generated by one
person would be too less but if number of steps on such tiles increase than energy produced by it
would increase too.
In Indonesia, due to the eruption of Mt. Kelud, Kediri, East Java on February 14th, 2014 ago, a
lot of volcanic dust in abundant quantities were covering such areas. Most of it is still untapped, but
actually volcanic dust contains 75% silica [13], which also belongs to crystal ceramics that has
potential as piezoelectric materials, and Aries Budi Marwanto, lecturer of craft art, faculty of art and
design, Indonesia Arts Institute, Surakarta, has already used it as the material for ceramic sculpture
because silica material is excellent to be used as the main ingredient of ceramic which is composed
of silica and alumina material. He admits that ceramic sculptures which are made from volcanic dust
and clay are stronger and more refined; the resulting color is also more attractive [14].
To create a ceramic sculpture, Aries mixes volcanic dust which has been filtered with clay. The
composition of it is approximately 40:60 for dust and clay. The volcanic dust must be filtered in order
to obtain a very small particle size and soft. The size of the filter is 40 mesh. Then the dough is
shaped as desire [14].
The drying process of ceramic sculpture from volcanic dust takes longer than ceramic which is
not mixed with dust. Ceramic from clay only takes two days for drying in open air, while ceramic
from volcanic dust takes up to three days. Similarly, during combustion, sculpture from volcanic dust
requires a very high temperature oh 13000C compare than ceramic clay at temperature of 10000C
[14].
Along with the common materials for the manufacture of ceramic tiles which are clay
(commonly used is kaolin (xAl2O3.ySiO2.zH2O)), feldspar (X(Al, Si)Si2O8, which X is sodium/ potassium/
calcium/ barium), and quartz (Mg2SiO4) which also belong to crystal ceramics because those
materials also contain silica, this research proposes to design ceramic tile which has piezoelectric
effect as the promising option to overcome the electricity generation s problems.

Objective
Identifying the piezoelectric effect on volcanic dust, kaolin (xAl2O3.ySiO2.zH2O), feldspar (X(Al,
Si)Si2O8), and quartz (Mg2SiO4).
Optimizing the piezoelectric effect (electricity generated) on volcanic dust, kaolin
(xAl2O3.ySiO2.zH2O), feldspar (X(Al, Si)Si2O8), and quartz (Mg2SiO4) as revealed by surface area
and thickness of material.
Designing the ceramic tile which has the optimum piezoelectric effect from volcanic dust, kaolin
(xAl2O3.ySiO2.zH2O), feldspar (X(Al, Si)Si2O8), and quartz (Mg2SiO4).
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[Electrical Power Generation Using Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile Design]

Methodology
Sample Preparation and Raw Sample Pre-Analysis
The volcanic dust is obtained from Kediri and Yogyakarta. Kaolin (xAl2O3.ySiO2.zH2O), feldspar
(X(Al, Si)Si2O8), and quartz (Mg2SiO4) are obtained from Laboratory. Before start the experiment,
raw materials are analyzed by XRD Cu K to determine crystal s characteristics and AAS to
determine the content of silica concentration.

Experimental Process of Identifying and Optimizing the Piezoelectric Effect of

Materials as Revealed by Surface and Thickness of Materials
The materials shall be formed within a certain size by using solid state reaction method (Fig. 1).
Weighing

Grinding

Pressing

Sintering
Figure 1. Schematic Illustration of Sample Preparation by Solid State Reaction Method

The material is weighed by using high precision electronic weighing machine and ground
thoroughly in an agate mortar. It is important to grind the material thoroughly for long duration to
obtain homogeneous distribution. Thorough grinding also decreases the particle size for obtaining
close contact among the atoms. The powdered material, then, is heated (calcined) for the first time.
During the first calcinations, CO2 is liberated from powdered material. After the first heating,
obtained powder is ground thoroughly. To maintain uniform particle size, the powder is sieved, and
then is palletized using hydraulic press to a certain size. The pellets are subsequently sintered with
intermittent grindings to obtain single phase samples. Final sintering is carried out to obtain the
desired structural phase. Then, materials are analyzed by XRD Cu K to determine crystal s
characteristics and AAS to determine the content of silica concentration.
1. Identifying Piezoelectric Effect of Materials

Volcanic dust, kaolin (xAl2O3.ySiO2.zH2O), feldspar (X(Al, Si)Si2O8), and quartz (Mg2SiO4) need
to be identified to determine piezoelectric effect and the magnitude of the resulting voltage by using
oscilloscope. Each material with certain size is wedged between two electrical contact surfaces. The
surfaces are made by packing layers of paper towel behind aluminum foil. This gives an aluminum foil
cushion. The material is tapped with these cushions. The applied force is same for each material.
2. Optimizing the Piezoelectric Effect of Materials as Revealed by Surface Area and Thickness of Materials

Variation in surface area and thickness of materials takes on the role as experiment s
parameters to optimize the resulting voltage from certain size of materials.
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[Electrical Power Generation Using Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile Design]

Designing the Prototype of Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile

The illustration of piezoelectric ceramic tile prototype design is showed in Fig. 2. Volcanic dust,
kaolin (xAl2O3.ySiO2.zH2O), feldspar (X(Al, Si)Si2O8), and quartz (Mg2SiO4) are mixed with distillated
water for 24 hours. Then, the mixture is dried at temperature of 1000C for 24 hours. After drying, the
mixture is ground thoroughly to obtain homogenous distribution of components and to maintain
uniform particle size, the mixture is sieved with sieve 200 mesh. The next step, the mixture is formed
at pressure of 50 MPa using hydraulic press to optimum size (optimum surface area and thickness).
Finally, the sample is sintered at temperature of 11000C for 2 hours [15].
The materials are
mixed with
distilled water for
24 h.

The mixture is
dried at 1000C for
24 h.

The mixture is
ground and
sieved with sieve
200 mesh.

The mixture is
formed at
50MPa.

The ceramic tile is

characterized.

The piezoelectric
effect of ceramic
tile is tested.

The sample is
sintered at 11000C
for 2 h.

Figure 2. Schematic Illustration of Designing the Prototype of Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.
3.

Generating electricity by using piezoelectric ceramic tile has three main stages [8]:
Piezoelectric ceramic tile as electrical energy generation module, which performs the conversion
of vibration energy into electrical energy.
Rectifier Module as part of the conversion to electrical energy into DC power supply.
Functioning amplifier module comprising a voltage amplifier and voltage regulator. Output
voltage generated can be used as a source of electrical energy or can be stored in the battery.
So that, the principal on the prototype consists of (Fig.4) [8]:
Piezoelectric ceramic tile as converter the pressure into electrical energy.
The pressure generated by the foot put pressure on ceramic tile which contains piezoelectric
materials.
AC-DC voltage rectifier circuit (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Bridge Rectifier Type AC to DC Converter [10]

4. DC-DC voltage booster using the Joule Thief circuit schematic or Buck Boost.

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[Electrical Power Generation Using Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile Design]

Piezoelectric ceramic tile: pressure on the tile produce certain frequency

Piezoelectric materials which is contained in the tile produce AC voltage
AC voltage is converted into DC voltage
DC voltage is increased using Joule Thief Method and voltage regulator
Voltage can be used as source of energy
Figure 4. Job Diagram Electrical Energy Generation Process [8]

The pressure caused by foot stepping into the ceramic tile is one of the sources of vibration
that will be used as a trigger to produce energy using piezoelectric materials which is contained in
the tile. Piezoelectric material produces AC voltage. AC voltage is converted into DC voltage using
AC-DC voltage rectifier circuit. DC voltage is increased using Joule Thief Method and voltage
regulator circuit [8].
The prototype of ceramic design, then, is characterized, including shrinkage measurement,
density, fracture strength test, and resistivity measurement.

Significance
Electricity is so important. Mobile phones, computer, internet, heating system, televisions,
light bulb, almost all of modern conveniences are electrically powered. The need of electricity is
about everything. No wonder, the demand of electricity keeps increasing to follow population
growth, prosperity improvement, and economic growth as a whole. Despite the importance of
electricity and the greater demand of it, many countries still lack access of electricity. Most of the
reason is about the amount of electricity payment. Then, the piezoelectric ceramic tile is the
promising option to overcome the greater demand of electricity as well as the lack access of
electricity. Besides, the tile also can overcome the electricity problem as the survival electricity
generation when such disaster or extreme weather causes power loss.
The piezoelectric ceramic tile is not only renewable electricity source but also unique, safe,
reliable, geographically, and economically. When the tiles are installed in locations where large
crowd movements are expected, like in the railway, bus stations, airports, malls, and a person steps
on them, then by piezoelectric effect, small charge is built up on surface of crystals. Though energy
generated by one person would be too less but if number of steps on such tiles increase than
electricity charge produced by it would increase too. The electricity can be collected by use of
electrodes. Such electricity can be stored in capacitors and power can be channeled to electricity
deficient regions. This also can be used, for example, to light the street lights at night from the entire
energy stored in the batteries, for powering the household gadgets, and in short the city as a whole
saving lots of fuel used in electricity generation in an eco-friendly way.
Growing population which is considered to be a bane is used advantageously with
piezoelectric application. A nonconventional, nonpolluting form of energy can be harvested,
maintaining the economic standards of common laymen due to the electricity is produced from the
mechanical stress on the piezoelectric ceramic tile. Regardless of this project, the future of
piezoelectric materials looks bright. It is very encouraging to get a good voltage and current at such
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[Electrical Power Generation Using Piezoelectric Ceramic Tile Design]

a low cost at the same time utilizing the waste energy. Piezoelectric materials are the future of
electric power generation

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