Energy
Conservation using
Piezoelectric
Material & Gears
Name: Jainam Shah
Enrolment Number: 240280770007
Subject: Mini Project with Seminar
Introduction to the Project
The project focuses on converting mechanical motion into electrical energy using piezoelectric elements.
A pendulum mechanism, driven by a gear system, is used to strike piezoelectric plates and generate voltage.
This concept demonstrates energy conservation by harvesting motion energy that would otherwise be wasted.
The setup is simple, scalable, and applicable in small-scale energy harvesting systems.
What is Energy Harvesting?
• Energy harvesting is the process of capturing and storing small amounts of energy from external sources (like
motion, heat, light, or vibrations) that would otherwise be lost.
• Importance of Energy Harvesting:
Sustainable Battery-Free Power for Reduced Utilization of
Energy Source Operation Remote Devices Maintenance Ambient Energy
Costs
What is Piezoelectric Material?
• Piezoelectric materials are substances that generate an electric charge when subjected to mechanical
stress or pressure.
• When mechanical stress (like pressure, vibration, or impact) is applied to a piezoelectric material, it causes a
shift in the position of atoms within its crystal structure.
• This shift creates an imbalance of charge, resulting in electric voltage across the material.
• Common Examples:
Quartz (SiO₂) – Natural piezoelectric crystal.
Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) – Most widely used synthetic ceramic piezoelectric material.
What is Graham Escapement Model?
• Purpose: The Graham escapement is a mechanical component used in clocks and watches to regulate the
release of energy from the mainspring, ensuring accurate timekeeping.
• Components: It consists of an escape wheel, pallet fork, and balance wheel. The escape wheel interacts with
the pallet to control the release of energy in small, controlled increments.
• Energy Release: The escape wheel's teeth are engaged by the pallet fork, which allows one tooth to escape at
a time, transferring energy to the balance wheel for oscillation.
• Balance Wheel Impulse: The pallet fork locks and releases the escape wheel, providing an impulse to the
balance wheel, which then oscillates to maintain the steady flow of time.
Components used:
1. Escapement Fork 6. Pulley
2. Escapement Wheel 7. Nano Power Supply
3. Gear Train 8. Pendulum
4. Winder 9. Piezoelectric Plate
5. Weights
Working:
• Manual Winding for Energy Input: The winder is used to lift the weights, storing potential energy that drives
the gear train as they descend.
• Gear Train Drives Pendulum: The controlled release of energy through the gear train powers the pendulum’s
oscillatory motion.
• Pendulum Strikes Piezoelectric Plate: With each swing or strike, the pendulum hits the piezoelectric plate,
converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• Energy Storage in Nano Power Supply: The electrical energy generated from the piezoelectric plate is
collected and stored in the nano power supply for further use.
Objectives:
Convert Mechanical Energy to Electrical Energy using a pendulum and piezoelectric material.
Demonstrate Sustainable Energy Harvesting through motion-based mechanisms.
Integrate Classical Mechanics with Modern Electronics (gears and pendulum with piezo and nano power
supply).
Create a Functional Educational Model to showcase principles of energy conversion and timekeeping.
Advantages:
No External Power Required – Entire system runs on gravity and mechanical motion.
Compact and Eco-Friendly – Utilizes renewable energy principles with minimal environmental impact.
Educational Value – Demonstrates physics concepts like harmonic motion and electromechanics.
Low Maintenance Design – Simple mechanical parts reduce the need for frequent servicing.
Limitations:
Low Power Output – Piezoelectric generation produces limited energy, suitable only for small electronics.
Mechanical Wear Over Time – Moving parts like gears and pulleys are subject to friction and degradation.
Manual Winding Dependency – Continuous operation requires periodic human intervention for winding.
Impact Precision Required – Energy conversion depends on accurate and consistent pendulum strikes.
Applications:
Self-Sustaining Clocks or Timers – Can be used in mechanical clocks that generate their own power for low-
energy electronics.
Educational Demonstrations – Ideal for teaching energy conversion, pendulum motion, and piezoelectric
effects in schools or exhibitions.
Micro Energy Harvesting Systems – Useful in powering small sensors or IoT devices in remote or low-power
environments.
Backup Power Generation Models – Acts as a prototype for systems that harness motion or vibration for
emergency or supplemental power.
Necessary Parameters to find:
1. Gravitational energy input 6. Energy output per strike
2. Number of strikes 7. Total energy output
3. Impact velocity 8. Current per strike
4. Impact force 9. Average current in active time
5. Voltage output per strike 10. Energy harvesting efficiency
Given Parameter:
Weight mass: 1kg • Piezo Disc Specs
Drop height: 0.75m
Size: 35mm x 35mm x 0.5mm
Swing angle: ±30°
Capacitance: 50000pF ±30%
Striking mass (anchor): 75g
Voltage per strike: 4.2V – 6V
Escapement wheel: 30 teeth
Gear 1: 50 teeth
Gear 2: 60 teeth
Gear 3: 60 teeth
Calculations
Gravitational Energy Input: Eg = mgh = 1 × 9.81 × 0.75 = 7.36 J
Number of Strikes (per minute): Strikes/min = 1.15 × 60 = 69
Impact Velocity: v = √(2gL(1 - cosθ)) = 0.91 m/s
Impact Force (estimate): F = mv/Δt = (0.075 × 0.91) / 0.005 = 13.65 N
Voltage Output per Strike: Average: 5.1 V
Calculations
Energy Output per Strike: E = 1/2 × C × V^2 = 0.65 µJ
Total Energy Output (per minute): 0.65 × 69 = 44.85 µJ
Current per Strike: I = C × dV/dt = 0.255 mA
Average Current in Active Time: I_avg = C × V × f = 0.294 µA
Energy Harvesting Efficiency: η = (44.85 µJ / 7.36 J) × 100 = 0.00061%
Parameters Values
Gravitational Energy Input 7.36 J
Number of Strikes (1 min) 69
Impact Velocity 0.91 m/s
Impact Force (est.) 13.65 N
Voltage Output per Strike
Outcomes: Energy Output per Strike
4.2–6 V
0.65 µJ
Total Energy Output (1 min) 44.85 µJ
Current per Strike 0.255 mA
Average Current (1 min) 0.294 µA
Energy Harvesting Efficiency 0.00061%
Graphs:
1. Voltage per strike (simulated fluctuation from 4.2V to 6V)
2. Energy per strike (in microjoules)
3. Cumulative harvesting efficiency (based on gravitational
input)
Conclusion:
The designed mechanism successfully integrates principles of pendulum motion and gear transmission to
produce periodic mechanical impacts at a fixed time interval.
By coupling this consistent motion with a piezoelectric material, mechanical energy is effectively converted
into electrical output through impact-induced strain.
The overall system demonstrates how gravitational potential, mechanical regulation, and electromechanical
conversion can be harmonized in a compact, self-powered structure.
Future Scope:
The system can be expanded by exploring multi-modal energy harvesting—combining piezoelectric,
electromagnetic, or triboelectric principles for enhanced output.
Incorporating smart materials or adaptive electronics can lead to applications in real-time monitoring,
wearable technology, and autonomous sensor networks.
Further study of resonance tuning, damping control, and advanced energy storage will improve the practicality
and scalability of the design in real-world applications.
Summary:
This project illustrates a successful interplay of classical mechanics and modern energy harvesting techniques
within a single mechanical system.
It emphasizes how timed motion control, such as that from a gear and escapement mechanism, can be
translated into a consistent energy generation process.
The design highlights potential for creating low-maintenance, environmentally friendly energy sources powered
by gravity and mechanical motion.
References:
• https://youtu.be/dT1cfmsHOaU?si=Xb9HqjVMOuKpiy6x
• https://youtube.com/shorts/DGSiZVBe5as?si=smiwMnz2IBNYQqqm
• https://youtu.be/_XABS0dR15o?si=2RwA-BQ3kXh5vbVC
• https://youtube.com/shorts/RODuWEDejW0?si=18X7xbCvRYgT7wWL
• https://open.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=mecheng_pubs
• https://open.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=mecheng_pubs
• https://www.pce.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ETRX-student-journal-2013-14.pdf
