The Piezoelectric Shoe: An Approach to Impede Global warming

There is a globally-agreed, ubiquitous threat increasing its frightening imposition on us-day after day. Climate change is now an inexorable barrier in the foreseeable future, with potential to immensely disrupt societal and economic activity. Is there a way to completely stop it? Possibly, but unlikely. However, is there a way to diminish its imminent aftermath? I believe so.

The piezoelectric shoe acts on a simple physics concept: the piezoelectric effect. This involves the transfer of mechanical energy to electrical energy, facilitated by a piezoelectric transducer (15 Rs). This can be attached to the bottom of the shoe, using a piezoelectric crystal, such as quartz or Rochelle salt, which is then placed between two metal plates. The reason that only piezoelectric crystals can be used is because their atoms are asymmetrically arranged (unlike other crystals), but provide an overall electrically neutral charge.

Based on the weight of the person and the area of the transducer under the shoe, a mechanical pressure is exerted on the crystals. Taking the example of quartz, there are many positive and negative charges. We can assume a centralised, ‘average’ position of each charge. Mechanical pressure has the effect of shifting the positions of the charges, creating two different resultant centres of electric charge.

Initially, when the charges are at their natural position with no external work being exerted on them, a reading on a voltmeter, when connected to a circuit with the transducer, will read 0. However, after pressure has been applied, the voltmeter will read a value due to the potential difference created. The two metal plates act as anodes(positive) and cathodes(negative).

Now, let’s take a step forward and look at it from the environmental and economic perspective. Realistically speaking (After Covid), when the government finds it affordable, a subsidy towards research in this area may be profitable in the long term as companies find different ways to harness mechanical energy, instead of extracting non-renewable resources. Furthermore, it may encourage exercise. Ultimately, a switch to an alternate renewable source of energy will lessen the effects of climate change, based on the time it takes to implement into society.

Now, the first step to a better future is to concur that a change in the source of energy is a crucial matter. Next, it is up to us, and us only, to figure out the rest.

Written By : Sriram Seshadri (Founder)