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 SpermNinja81
Male, 30-39, Australia
 458 Posts
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Sunday, March 03, 2013 6:18:42 AM
I don't think it's meant to replace an on grid- power source, just reduce the strain on it. I don't think you'd really notice a huge difference walking on these tiles for a few hours in the mall, if a very slight increase in effort in getting around your own house could mean even a hundred dollars difference over a year, then your Christmas is going to be just a bit better right? the big question here is the cost of the panels vs the cost of buying juice off the grid. if it can be made to be at least as effective as a solar panel, and used in conjunction with other energy saving devices, then there's no reason it wouldn't be successful. |
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 OldOllie
Male, 50-59, Midwest US
8712 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 11:42:05 PM
There's no such thing as "free energy." I guarantee you it would be more tiring to walk on that surface than on a solid surface or a resilient surface like carpet that returns the energy back to your foot.
If you don't believe it, try walking a long distance on loose dry sand. The difference is only a matter of scale.
The "negligible" distance of 5 mm that the surface sinks under your foot creates an effective uphill grade that is almost steep enough to meet building code requirements for a drainage pipe.
Also, the idea is not the least bit new or original. Just Google "piezoelectric energy harvesting." Just as an example, you can get a smoke detector that is powered by the vibrations of a building's ventilation system using a piezoelectric generator and a cantilevered weight.
I can't even imagine the cost per kWh for this system. Trust me, it's a total waste.
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 Gauddith
Female, 18-29, Western US
107 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 9:13:33 PM
This is why I roll my eyes at IAB.
"This energy source is not viable and never will be, I refuse to see how the idea here is in anyway informative, or how it could possibly benefit us in any way."
You're all coming off as a bunch of un-creative non nice individuals, who refuse to see the use these sciences have.
Poo on all of you.
Poo...
Also, who here has walked on a carpet? Easy poo right? Same damn thing. |
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uatme
Male, 18-29, Canada
790 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 4:10:03 PM
Good idea, old idea, but not viable.... not now and probably not ever.
Although it would mean it would take more energy to walk somewhere so maybe we would have a healthier society. |
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Ilikelogic
Male, 40-49, Europe
292 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 3:42:55 PM
Ljusa torch-turning hand movement into energy
Ikea, 4.99 $ or 3,99 Euro |
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Ilikelogic
Male, 40-49, Europe
292 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 3:36:44 PM
Stupid.
Please read DingDingDong's explanation.
For further info, look up "prison treadmills" |
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 thefatviking
Male, 18-29, Europe
151 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 1:43:59 PM
Not economically sustainable.
Using this technology will be far more expensive than simply buying power from the grid.
Focus on thorium reactors instead. It has far more potential than this trivial poo. |
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 DingDingDong
Male, 30-39, Western US
1416 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 12:26:57 PM
This is dumb. It will make it harder to walk. There is no free lunch, it takes energy from walkers. It would be like walking in a little sand. Or a tiny stair climber.
And the energy from it is insignificant. Not worth it, especially for what each panel would cost.
It's just a novelty, and a really dumb idea, and kind of a pet peeve of mine.
(I work on human powered grid-tied generators for a living, so I know what I'm talking about) |
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 McThstlpnts
Female, 18-29, Southern US
635 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 12:02:15 PM
It isn't everywhere because there isn't any profit from it...capitalism is a jerk like that. |
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 Kain1
Male, 18-29, Europe
1280 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 11:37:33 AM
Why isn't this everywhere ?!?!
Genious ! |
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 CaptKangaroo
Male, 50-59, Southern US
1198 Posts
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Saturday, March 02, 2013 10:09:13 AM
Link: Pavegen-Turning Footsteps Into Energy [Rate Link] - Laurence Kemball explains his idea for a sustainable energy source |
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