9th grade student creates device to generate electricity from footsteps

Starting from walking to school every day, two 9th grade students in Ninh Thuan created a device that generates electricity from footsteps.

Pham Thi Thuy Trinh (left), Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy and instructor Le Minh Phuong - Photo: AN ANH

This device was invented by two 9th grade students, helping to convert mechanical energy from footsteps into electricity to supply small electrical devices such as LED lights or phones.

This invention has just won first prize in the Ninh Thuan province science and technology competition for the 2024-2025 school year and will represent Ninh Thuan to compete in the national science and technology competition next March.

From walking to generating electricity from footsteps

Ceramic speaker discs are used by two students in parallel to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy - Photo: AN ANH

The owners of the initiative to create electricity from footsteps are two students, Pham Thi Thuy Trinh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, both in class 9/3 at Vo Nguyen Giap Primary and Secondary School in Dong Hai ward, Phan Rang - Thap Cham city (Ninh Thuan).

Thuy Trinh and Thanh Thuy said the idea of creating a machine that generates electricity from footsteps came from the fact that they walk to school every day. Each step creates energy, but this energy source is not utilized.

"Based on this practical problem, we have been thinking about creating a device that converts mechanical energy from footsteps into electrical energy," Thuy Trinh said.

After coming up with the idea, Thuy Trinh and Thanh Thuy discussed it with Mr. Le Minh Phuong, a chemistry teacher at Vo Nguyen Giap Primary and Secondary School.

Thanks to Mr. Phuong's guidance, 3 months later, the device to generate electricity from footsteps was completed, consisting of 3 parts: piezoelectric floor plate, rectifier system to store electricity, and power consumption device.

Thanh Thuy and Thuy Trinh shared that the new feature of this device is based on the principle of piezoelectricity from the piezoelectric ceramic speaker disc material to convert mechanical energy (impact force) into electrical energy.

The operating principle of the device is that when force (footstep or other pressure) is applied, the ceramic speaker sensor generates a voltage current.

The alternating current (AC) from the sensor will be converted into direct current (DC) by the rectifier circuit. This DC power source will provide power to electrical devices or be stored in batteries for indirect power supply.

According to Thuy Trinh and Thanh Thuy, each sensor from the ceramic speaker disc can generate a voltage from 0.5V to 8V depending on the force applied. Because the current generated is very small, it is necessary to combine many ceramic speaker discs together.

"Ceramic speakers can be connected in parallel or in series to increase the efficiency of converting mechanical energy from footsteps into electrical energy. The more ceramic speakers, the greater the voltage generated to meet the energy needs of electrical devices" - Thuy Trinh said.

Environmentally friendly

Next March, Thuy Trinh and Thanh Thuy will represent Ninh Thuan to participate in the national competition - Photo: AN ANH

Thuy Trinh and Thanh Thuy said that the above invention mostly uses materials that are easy to find, low cost and suitable for practical conditions.

"This device not only generates energy from footsteps but can also store electricity in batteries or capacitors, ensuring long-term and efficient use for small devices such as LED lights or phone chargers," said Thanh Thuy.

In addition, their device can be installed in walkways or stairs in crowded places such as schools, shopping malls, parks, walking streets, etc. to maximize the impact of human footsteps to generate electricity.

"Each person in the mall steps on the device 5 times, if there are 200 people, the number of impacts will be 1,000 times, corresponding to 1,000 steps. At that time, the electricity generated can charge 1-2 mobile phones in 3-4 hours. The more impacts, the more electricity generated and it is very environmentally friendly" - Thuy Trinh explained.

Mr. Le Minh Phuong said that since the idea had practical application, he guided Thanh Thuy and Thuy Trinh to turn it into a real product.

The product was completed and received good reviews, both teachers and students were happy. However, the product still has certain limitations in terms of preservation or anti-oxidation ability when installing outdoor equipment.

"Currently, my teachers and students continue to fix the equipment to make it more complete and operate more smoothly," said Mr. Phuong.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-sinh-lop-9-che-tao-thiet-bi-tao-dong-dien-tu-nhung-buoc-chan-20250214104654139.htm