Piezoelectricity: generate your own home power with a workout
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
Just think – right this second, millions of people in gyms across the planet are running, stretching, lifting weights, stepping, cycling and leaping around the place, God love them. Imagine how many units of energy are being burned – and all of it simply floating into the ether, unused, untapped and unappreciated. Now that may all be about to change, thanks to some imaginative inventions. The “Bike Power Generator” is a stationery bike that can directly power some DC appliances such as water pumps, but is primarily designed to charge a deep cycle, 12-Volt battery. For those of you concerned about bingo wings you can get the irresistibly-named Human Power Generator (power from the people!). But wait – there’s more! The very footpaths we walk (or jog) on may soon become part of the national grid, as brilliant minds have designed “Powerleap” (as seen on the Sundance Channel) - floor tiles that emit an electrical response to impact. If jogging isn’t exciting enough for you, jump up and down! Dance! Do long jump! You’ll be doing your bit for the planet. These inventions are all so simple one might wonder why they weren’t created sooner, but a perfect storm of climate anxiety and new technology has allowed them to come to market now. So the next time you’re feeling a little pudgy, hook yourself up, feel the burn and see the light!
