Ch1

Chukwuma Agubokwu
Chapter One

The Problem and Its Setting

Introduction to the Problem

Traditional sources for electronic energy over the past years have been by outlet by way of transformer by way of a fossil-fuel-based power plant. Recently the feasibility of eliminating all of the steps and the waste and damage caused by them has been brought about by the advent of something that's been around before all of that existed: movement. In technical terms, this is called kinetic energy harvesting*. I aim to conduct research in this area. There are a few methods which have been engineered to conduct such a task including using naturally occurring, electrically charged crystals or ceramics that output electricity when pressure is applied*; electroactive polymers which behave the same way but are significantly lighter*; and electrostatic plates of a charged varactor  in which vibrations are converted into electrical energy*.

 

Statement of the Problem

I must find a practical and efficient way in which to produce electrical energy by means of regular, everyday movement. To save time on costly and dangerous mistakes in wiring, I will be using a CAD-based* program that will aid in circuit design. The program is called SPICE and I will be using their student edition which is called PSpice* The design on computer will be based in the graphic representation of wiring theory and less the actual physical configuration. Once safely tested  on this design simulator, I can begin creating a live version of my system and begin testing outputs in various degrees to collect extensive information.

Hypothesis

Luckily there is extensive research that has been done before me on these areas of alternative energy, so I'm sure I will have no problem conducting my research on the most effective and practical systems after discovering hands-on what makes them operate from the inside. I expect to be able to constantly sustain electrical energy in a portable device for an entire day off of the human kinetic energy of a day. Meaning I believe it possible for the phone to never run out of energy in that day, as long as it is physically on my person for the duration of the day.

Variables and Limitations

The controlled variables are scale and/or ratio of electricity, the apparati (device, energy conversion system) I use, the source and timing of kinetic energy during testing (testing machines at UMD College Park and hours of my internship) and in the field (me, my regular movements and schedule of activities) and structural reliability of the apparati (made to handle rigorous movement.) 

The independent variables are temperature (has an influence on the conductivity of electronic energy), weather (the amount of moisture in the air can as well adversely affect conductivity), and the the kinetic input to the system from artificial (testing) and human (field) sources.

 

Assumptions

Nothing is assumed as I can simulate, isolate and then solve any possible discrepancies before they exist in reality thanks to my CAD program.

Statistical Analysis

I will constantly collect and analyze data for all of the variables listed.

 

*Definitions of Terms

1. A charge pump is an electronic circuit that uses capacitors as energy storage elements to create either a higher or lower voltage power source. Charge pump circuits are capable of high efficiencies, sometimes as high as 90-95% while being electrically simple circuits.

 

2. Varactor is a contraction for "variable capacitor", a type of capacitor  whose energy capacitance (ability to store electricity) can be changed.

 

3. Piezoelectricity is the ability of some materials (notably crystals and certain ceramics) to generate an electric potential in response to applied mechanical stress.

 

4. Energy harvesting (also known as Power harvesting or energy scavenging) is the process by which energy is captured and stored. Frequently this term is applied when speaking about small autonomous devices, like those used in sensor networks. A variety of different methods exist for harvesting energy, such as solar power, ocean tides, piezoelectricity, thermoelectricity, and physical motion.

 

5. CAD stands for computer aided design.

6. PSpice is a SPICE analog circuit simulation software that runs on personal computers, hence the first letter "P" in its name. It was developed by MicroSim and used in electronic design automation. MicroSim was bought by OrCAD and now belongs to Cadence Design Systems.

Ch2

 

Chukwuma Agubokwu
10.22.07

Engineering RP

Chapter Two

Introduction

Traditional sources for electronic energy over the past years have been by outlet by way of transformer by way of a fossil-fuel-based power plant. Recently the feasibility of eliminating all of the steps and the waste and damage caused by them has been brought about by the advent of something that's been around before all of that existed: movement. In technical terms, this is called kinetic energy harvesting*. I aim to conduct research in this area. There are a few methods which have been engineered to conduct such a task including using naturally occurring, electrically charged crystals or ceramics that output electricity when pressure is applied*; electroactive polymers which behave the same way but are significantly lighter*; and electrostatic plates of a charged varactor  in which vibrations are converted into electrical energy*.

I must find a practical and efficient way in which to produce electrical energy by means of regular, everyday movement. To save time on costly and dangerous mistakes in wiring, I will be using a CAD-based* program that will aid in circuit design. The program is called SPICE and I will be using their student edition which is called PSpice* The design on computer will be based in the graphic representation of wiring theory and less the actual physical configuration. Once safely tested  on this design simulator. I can begin creating a live version of my system and begin testing outputs in various degrees to collect extensive information.

 

Accutron Watches

              Accutron Watches are the first ever electric watch to not use the balance wheel and hairspring mechanism that is customary in mechanical watches. They instead used a system that was based around the mechanism of a tuning fork. This tuning fork made the Accutron revolutionary in many ways. The watch's accuracy was significantly better than that of its wheel/spring counterparts because it had only two positions in which gravity could aversely affect the mecanical operations (tongs faced up or down) where as the wheel/spring mechanism was susceptible in five positions (face up or down, winding knob left, right or up). Maintenance and average lifespan were also much improved in this iteration of the electric watch as there were substantially less moving parts than the convoluted wheel/spring system of the time. Something of historic importance about this watch is its use of the transistor, being that it was one of the very first consumer products to use what was a radically new technology at the time. There are other things that made this watch very superior in technological standards to that of the current range of  watches out during its time, but my research focuses on the watch's interface between a physical movement (albeit very minute) and electricity. The way that the Accutron system works is that small bursts of electricity from the battery go into the magnets on either side of the tongs of the pendulum ever so often in order to keep it vibrating. This vibration is in turn harnessed to move the hands on the popularly see through face of the watch. I believe that this system, if slightly reconfigured can work in the opposite direction: the movement of the tuning fork producing electricity.

CAD (PSpice)

          PSpice is the program on which my theoretical circuit testing will be done. This program was created at UC Berkeley to make it easier to run testing on circuit configurations without having to waste time making possibly faulty circuitry. The uses of the program are based on the ability to simulate circuits and their behavior, the version that I use has a GUI that circumvents the requirement of typing inputs in code for each element or connection, I can instead pick visual representations of transistors or diodes and draw wires connecting them. SPICE has become industry standard for circuit design because of the delicate and expensive nature that is undertaken: you just cannot afford to have circuits less than perfect when they cost so much for each tangible iteration. The information that is realized upon analysis of the systems is communicated mathematically with non-linear differential equations, which can be shown in simple but effective graphs along side the workspace.

Pendulum and Human Gait

      The movement side of my research involves  the swinging of a penndulum by way of a human walking. This involves mathematical and physics research in the areas of differentials. I need to combine the formulas used to calculate the forces of a pendulum swinging and a person walking to see how much electricity is generated with each step.

Summary

*Definitions of Terms

1. A charge pump is an electronic circuit that uses capacitors as energy storage elements to create either a higher or lower voltage power source. Charge pump circuits are capable of high efficiencies, sometimes as high as 90-95% while being electrically simple circuits.

2. Varactor is a contraction for "variable capacitor", a type of capacitor  whose energy capacitance (ability to store electricity) can be changed.

3. Piezoelectricity is the ability of some materials (notably crystals and certain ceramics) to generate an electric potential in response to applied mechanical stress.

4. Energy harvesting (also known as Power harvesting or energy scavenging) is the process by which energy is captured and stored. Frequently this term is applied when speaking about small autonomous devices, like those used in sensor networks. A variety of different methods exist for harvesting energy, such as solar power, ocean tides, piezoelectricity, thermoelectricity, and physical motion.

5. CAD stands for computer aided design.

6. PSpice is a SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis)  analog circuit simulation software that runs on personal computers, hence the first letter "P" in its name. It was developed by MicroSim and used in electronic design automation. MicroSim was bought by OrCAD and now belongs to Cadence Design Systems.

7.Transistor

8.Tuning fork

Ch3

Chukwuma Agubokwu

Chapter Three

Engineering Design and Development Procedures

 

Introduction

Traditional sources for electronic energy over the past years have been by outlet by way of transformer by way of a fossil-fuel-based power plant. Recently the feasibility of eliminating all of the steps and the waste and damage caused by them has been brought about by the advent of something that's been around before all of that existed: movement. In technical terms, this is called kinetic energy harvesting. I aim to conduct research in this area. There are a few methods which have been engineered to conduct such a task including using naturally occurring, electrically charged crystals or ceramics that output electricity when pressure is applied; electroactive polymers which behave the same way but are significantly lighter; and electrostatic plates of a charged varactor  in which vibrations are converted into electrical energy.

I have settled on using a system of electromagnets and a pendulum to collect ambient (present, but untapped) energy. I then will collect physics and kinetics information on the dynamics of pendulums and the human gait with specific attention on the hips (where most personal electronics are placed.) I must find a practical and efficient way in which to produce electrical energy by means of regular, everyday movement.

To save time on costly and dangerous mistakes in wiring, I will be using a CAD-based program that will aid in circuit design. The program is called SPICE and I will be using their student edition which is called PSpice The design on computer will be based in the graphic representation of wiring theory and less the actual physical configuration. Once safely tested  on this design simulator, I can begin creating a live version of my system and begin testing outputs in various degrees to collect extensive information.

This paper will be the formal documentation of the exact procedures and techniques that will be involved in the various stages of research and development of the energy harvesting unit. Much information will be gleaned from my day-to-day journal/blog, as it is there that I keep specifically up to date on all of my operations.

Proposed Design Solutions and Evaluations

 

     Using naturally occurring, electrically charged crystals or ceramics that output electricity when pressure is applied and electroactive polymers which behave the same way but are significantly lighter. There are naturally occurring, electrically charged crystals or ceramics that output electricity when pressure is applied and that detract or crontract when electricity is applied to them. These materials characteristic is described as peizoelectricity and have been used for many applications such as in light up shoes, quartz watches and even pressure activated garages. In the context of my project, they could be put in shoe soles to accrue energy from the pressure of each step.

 

     Electrostatic plates of a charged varactor  in which vibrations are converted into electrical energy. When you rub your feet against a carpet vigorously and then touch someone and they get a slight shock, that is the phenomenon of static electricity in action. That is the basic principle behind this method. Plates that easily polarize already present electronic particles are planed strategically to take advantage of high friction areas such as metal stair rails which require constant contact to be properly used. This could be implemented in sweaters as far as my project goes, so that they could double as a way to stay warm and keep your cellphone charged, for example.

 

     Using a system of electromagnets and a pendulum to collect ambient energy. If connected to a pendulum, electromagnets can produce electrical energy by constantly swinging back and forth in/on/along/around an electrically active contact. 

Solution Selection

I have settled on using a system of electromagnets and a pendulum
to collect ambient (present, but untapped) energy. I then will collect
physics and kinetics information on the dynamics of pendulums and the
human gait with specific attention on the hips (where most personal
electronics are placed.) This method combines pendulums
and electromagnets to take advantage of the human's biometric affinity
for an inefficient gait cycle. 

Program Design Outline

 

The chosen method will involve:

1. 
   
   Collecting information from the fields of biometrics, electrical circuitry, physics, practical/ergonomic/industrial design and magnetics.
   
   
2. 
   Learn to operate the various simulation, design and analysis programs needed to develop the project conceptually including, but not limited to SPICE (virtual circuit design/testing), MATLAB (graphically interfaced mathematical situation design)
   
   
3. 
   
    Collect/postulate/develop test and theory information based on factual data from above programs.
   
   
   
4. 
   
   Present data with conclusions on projected efficiency of apparatus.
    

Summary

 

     By combining knowledge on Accutron watches, SPICE (things discussed in the previous chapter), and the kinetics of pendulums and the human gait, I can develop a process by which ambient energy could be harvested and stored for the charging of energy-guzzling mobile devices like laptops, cell phones and more. The mechanical and electrical aspect would be lent from that of the watches, the design, testing and planning done on SPICE, and the physics models of pendulums would be the basis of the physics behind it all.

Ch3

Chukwuma Agubokwu

Chapter Three

Engineering Design and Development Procedures

 

Introduction

Traditional sources for electronic energy over the past years have been by outlet by way of transformer by way of a fossil-fuel-based power plant. Recently the feasibility of eliminating all of the steps and the waste and damage caused by them has been brought about by the advent of something that's been around before all of that existed: movement. In technical terms, this is called kinetic energy harvesting. I aim to conduct research in this area. There are a few methods which have been engineered to conduct such a task including using naturally occurring, electrically charged crystals or ceramics that output electricity when pressure is applied; electroactive polymers which behave the same way but are significantly lighter; and electrostatic plates of a charged varactor  in which vibrations are converted into electrical energy.

I have settled on using a system of electromagnets and a pendulum to collect ambient (present, but untapped) energy. I then will collect physics and kinetics information on the dynamics of pendulums and the human gait with specific attention on the hips (where most personal electronics are placed.) I must find a practical and efficient way in which to produce electrical energy by means of regular, everyday movement.

To save time on costly and dangerous mistakes in wiring, I will be using a CAD-based program that will aid in circuit design. The program is called SPICE and I will be using their student edition which is called PSpice The design on computer will be based in the graphic representation of wiring theory and less the actual physical configuration. Once safely tested  on this design simulator, I can begin creating a live version of my system and begin testing outputs in various degrees to collect extensive information.

This paper will be the formal documentation of the exact procedures and techniques that will be involved in the various stages of research and development of the energy harvesting unit. Much information will be gleaned from my day-to-day journal/blog, as it is there that I keep specifically up to date on all of my operations.

Proposed Design Solutions and Evaluations

 

     Using naturally occurring, electrically charged crystals or ceramics that output electricity when pressure is applied and electroactive polymers which behave the same way but are significantly lighter. There are naturally occurring, electrically charged crystals or ceramics that output electricity when pressure is applied and that detract or crontract when electricity is applied to them. These materials characteristic is described as peizoelectricity and have been used for many applications such as in light up shoes, quartz watches and even pressure activated garages. In the context of my project, they could be put in shoe soles to accrue energy from the pressure of each step.

 

     Electrostatic plates of a charged varactor  in which vibrations are converted into electrical energy. When you rub your feet against a carpet vigorously and then touch someone and they get a slight shock, that is the phenomenon of static electricity in action. That is the basic principle behind this method. Plates that easily polarize already present electronic particles are planed strategically to take advantage of high friction areas such as metal stair rails which require constant contact to be properly used. This could be implemented in sweaters as far as my project goes, so that they could double as a way to stay warm and keep your cellphone charged, for example.

 

     Using a system of electromagnets and a pendulum to collect ambient energy. If connected to a pendulum, electromagnets can produce electrical energy by constantly swinging back and forth in/on/along/around an electrically active contact. 

Solution Selection

I have settled on using a system of electromagnets and a pendulum
to collect ambient (present, but untapped) energy. I then will collect
physics and kinetics information on the dynamics of pendulums and the
human gait with specific attention on the hips (where most personal
electronics are placed.) This method combines pendulums
and electromagnets to take advantage of the human's biometric affinity
for an inefficient gait cycle. 

Program Design Outline

 

The chosen method will involve:

1. 
   
   Collecting information from the fields of biometrics, electrical circuitry, physics, practical/ergonomic/industrial design and magnetics.
   
   
2. 
   Learn to operate the various simulation, design and analysis programs needed to develop the project conceptually including, but not limited to SPICE (virtual circuit design/testing), MATLAB (graphically interfaced mathematical situation design)
   
   
3. 
   
    Collect/postulate/develop test and theory information based on factual data from above programs.
   
   
   
4. 
   
   Present data with conclusions on projected efficiency of apparatus.
    

Summary

 

     By combining knowledge on Accutron watches, SPICE (things discussed in the previous chapter), and the kinetics of pendulums and the human gait, I can develop a process by which ambient energy could be harvested and stored for the charging of energy-guzzling mobile devices like laptops, cell phones and more. The mechanical and electrical aspect would be lent from that of the watches, the design, testing and planning done on SPICE, and the physics models of pendulums would be the basis of the physics behind it all.

Ch Four

Chukwuma Agubokwu

Chapter Four

RESULTS

 

Data Analysis

• 
  

  I predict that the amount of electrical energy produced by a person wearing this device over a period of a day while doing normal activities will be enough to charge the average cell phone to full strength 5-fold.

  
  
• NOTE: The nature of this project makes a results section a difficult one to substantially develop as everything is theoretical in nature and the product in question would require much more extensive research and development to be produced and tested in the real world.
  
  

Survey

 

 

Chapter Five: Conclusions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Five: Conclusions

 

     The importance of this study is that it can open the door for more efficient ambient energy harvesting. The purpose of this study is to research the possibility of harvesting ambient human energy efficiently. If the knowledge of many disciplines are combined, then it will be possible to conceive an efficient mode of ambient energy harvesting. The first area of research was electrical circuit design because the system being designed would need to be theoretically possible. Another area of research was human biometrics, human gait analysis would help determine the amount of physical energy being exerted at the place where the device would be positioned, i.e. the hip. Pendulum physics was another primary area of knowledge for two reasons: the first reason being that for the specific system intended for design the central mechanism would be a pendulum magnet; the second reason being that according to the previously stated biometrics, the human gait is very similar to the mechanics of a pendulum. On a mechanical design side, the main sources of inspiration were the Accutron watch and a pedometer. The ways in which data were collected and used include the analyzing of the electrical energy output of theoretical circuit design, the formulas involved in determining the rate of change for energy involved in the physics of pendulums; the analyzing of the energy expended at different parts of the body when it is in motion. Over all this device's aim is to develop a practically viable way of alternative portable energy. This in turn could have far reaching implications for all sector of energy production and serve as an impetus for many other technological developments in this area.

      Although know where near the completion of my research, I have amassed a large amount of information of which I previously had no inkling. I thought that perpetual energy (a holy grail of sorts for the fields of physics, math and engineering) could be easily attained if done carefully. I now know that this is of course incorrect but have developed a better understanding of how alternative energy engendered from sources already outputting it in some form has the potential to be a highly effective prospect. Schematic designs involving the swinging motion of a pendulum are theoretically proving to be the most sensitive to the reception of physical energy as a by product of human locomotion. This seems to have something to do with a principal called of which I am not yet familiar with (it is years ahead in my course of math education.)

 

      It seems that I am not the only mind considering harvesting ambient human energy as there are college students and scientists working on a leg-brace-like design that fulfills the same need as my proposed device. The article on this research, as discovered by my mentor Dr. Newcomb, detailed the schematic layout and power output. Unfortunately, their design and concept was rendered with many flaws that my entirely independently conceived concept handles very well. Their device, a modified medical leg brace, is very large and obstructs the wearer's natural gait in order to collect the energy where my device can fit in the palm of your hand and rest unobtrusively on the hip clipped to a belt or pant waist. The researcher's device also outputs a much lower voltage per step than mine can in theory.

      These are the principle but one few of many issues that my design must asses to be a successfully marketed and technologically advanced item. The prime issue of ergonomics, or ease of human interaction, addresses  the industrial design side of this project whose phase will be handled in the development stage of this ongoing project. The surveys of Chapter Four are only a cursory glance at the target market that this device will reach, but it can honestly appeal to any individual seeking to power their electronic device just by living the average kinetic life that the majority of humans do. The continuation of this research will occur during my college years as an Electrical Engineering student with hopes to one day actually create this device.

4/1/08

Personal

Today I was on my way to OIT (office of information technology) on the UMD campus so I could renew my password when a professor (Dr. Abed I think) from the ECE building volunteered to walk me there. We talked a little about college, time and the like before I reached my destination, he seemed very nice.

Today's (April First) Diamondback (Maryland's Independent School Newspaper) was wrought with hilarious little pranks that i took seriously at first. For example, there was an article detailing the university president's plans to shift the focus of the university from education to a permanent solution to global warming!

RP

Dr. Newcomb informed me of a few articles in Time relating to kinetic energy harvesting that i plan to take a look at. We discussed how exactly to conclude this phase of my research for purposes of completing the fifth and final chapter of the RP paper.