Would you believe us if we told you that it will soon be possible to produce electricity by just walking on the roads? Unbelievable, right? Not anymore! Researchers at IIT Mandi have come up with a way to make this a reality. Read on for more details. By Kumar Shree
As the world continues to deal with the perils of climate change and global warming, the need for clean and sustainable energy sources is on the rise. While on one hand, the rise of clean-tech companies in the world sings a testimony to that, on the other, researchers at Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi (IIT Mandi) have come up with a path-breaking innovation. Researchers at this institute have found a way to produce electricity on the go—simply by walking on the roads.
Piezoelectric materials are an integral part of this research. Since piezoelectric materials can interconvert mechanical energy and electrical energy, IIT Mandi’s researchers have developed a way to enhance the power output by 100 folds when subject to stress.
As reported by Hindustan Times, Rajeev Kumar, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, IIT Mandi says, “Such materials can, for example, be used in floor tiles to generate electrical energy from walking, or on roads where the weight from the vehicles can power road lights and signals. However, currently, the electrical energy produced by these materials is very low, which limits their applications in real-life situations.”
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While the research is still in its infancy stage, and could take time to be applied practically, it certainly is a ‘step’ in the right direction. If anything, it is proof that humanity is working towards a greener future—something that is also the need of the hour.