A "power generating floor" has been developed that uses brand-new technology to generate power. It utilizes the mechanism of resonance energy that is created when people walk across the floor. The application of this kind of energy from people walking on a surface has been largely neglected, but Mr. Kohei Hayamizu, CEO of the Onryoku Hatsuden Co., has been working on it since 2003. He successfully increased the power generating efficiency and durability by combining elements of piezo-electricity and resonance phenomena, and brought the technology up to the level of experimental practical application.

This technology is also considered important for reducing environmental impacts. East Japan Railway Company and Keio University cooperated in conducting an experiment using "power generating floor" technology for about two months at the Marunouchi North Ticket Gate in Tokyo station.

The floor-type dynamo needs no other equipment to generate power, so it is considered particularly appropriate as an auxiliary power source for households and hospitals in the event of power failures due to natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes. It could also be used as a power source for the increasing number of sensors and information/telecommunications devices that are becoming ubiquitous in society.

This technology received an award at the fourth Annual Idea to Product (I2P) Global Competition, which features early-stage technologies seeking commercialization, held November 10-11, 2006 at the University of Texas at Austin, U.S. It attracted participants' attention and received sponsorship offers.


http://www.soundpower.co.jp/

Posted: 2007/03/22 02:01:38 PM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Manufacturing industry , University/Research institute