The aim of this project is to attempt to halve our energy consumption but it also reduces waste and pollution. If we were to create a series of kinetic tiles along with many other designs we could halve our energy consumption resulting in a cleaner more sustainable campus. I believe that if we utilise the almost infinite amount of kinetic energy that we produce every step we can produce clean but small amounts of energy

My hypothesis is that if we install these kinetic tiles then we can light low-power LEDs and other electronic things because we can produce almost infinite, fully clean and renewable energy.

How might we design a system of kinetic floor tiles that harnesses student footsteps to generate clean, renewable energy, helping to halve the school's carbon footprint?

In most designs there are usually risks and therefore there are some minor ones with kinetic tiles such as the fact that when pressure is applied the tile sinks (5 - 10mm) which for some people can cause unbalancedness and a trip hazard. Another minor risk is the fact that kinetic tiles require a specific lead acid or lithium batteries which if they leak can cause toxic and poisonous gases + liquids. Although this problem exists it can be diminished by isolating the battery from student accessible areas and can be well protected.

My system follows 4 simple steps;

1st, it captures downward pressure in the form of kinetic energy.

2nd, that energy pushes down a rack therefore spinning a pinion and converting downward motion into spinning motion.

3rd, the pinion spins the flywheel which turns a small generator.

Finally, the generator sends the energy through wires into a battery or a light where the energy is then stored or used.

In my prototype I used mainly wood with small amounts of glue, 3 springs, 3 piezoelectric discs and 3 LED lights.

On average a small school produces 500kg of CO2 per year from grid and commercial energy use, this is an approximate estimate as to what our school produces per year without implementing our student systems. Once we add our new systems to the school we can reduce carbon emissions to approximately 40 - 50 kg of CO2 per year which is a dream for any school.

I have estimated this research from Pavegen who have over 80 real world reports and implements and case studies which conclude kinetic tiles to be extremely user engaging and fun for people which proves that these tiles would be an improvement to the school.

The forces in my prototype are stable and balanced keeping it working like a downscaled model. There are some contact and non contact forces that my system will require in real life such as kinetic energy pushing down the rack and springs pushing the pad back upward, some non contact ones include the magnetic induction inside the generator which converts spinning into electricity and gravity to assist with the walking pressure. A part of my system would include a pushing downward force to move the pad, multiple spinning cogs and an opposite pushing force from the springs.

Changes & Energy

Energy transfers are when energy stays the same type but it changes objects. An example of an energy transfer in my design is when the kinetic energy from a footstep transfers into the rack next into the pinion and continues all the way to the generator. Energy transformations are when energy is transferred into another object and changes form (e.g kinetic energy of a spinning wind turbine into electrical energy.) Energy is transformed in kinetic tiles either if they have solar panels, from light into electrical energy or when the kinetic energy enters the generator it leaves as electrical energy.

Engineering Problem Solving

One of the major problems with kinetic tiles is the extremely low energy output and the high cost. Also one minor problem is the energy loss. But I have a solution for both these problems. My engineering fix for these would be replacing moving springs and gears with triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) or advanced flexible polymers.

TENG technology harvests energy from friction at a microscopic level. Eliminating moving parts prevents mechanical jamming, energy loss through friction, slashes manufacturing costs, and drastically reduces wear and tear.