16-09-2016, 11:21 AM
[attachment=71083]
Francis Moon, a mechanical engineering professor at Cornell University, has designed a novel type ofwind energy generator that vibrates in the wind rather than cutting the breeze like a turbine. DubbedVibro-Wind, the design consists of a series of pads attached to piezoelectric cells that generate current when the pads flutter in the wind. This low-impact design could revolutionize localized renewable energy while providing a safer alternative to bird and bat-unfriendly turbines.
Each of the Vibro-Wind’s individual pads generates just a trickle of energy, but when framed in an array they’re capable of producing a significant amount of usable electricity. Professor Moon created a panel of 25 pads to start, but the concept could be easily scaled to virtually any application. They can be easily attached to the facades of large buildings (where there is a constant breeze) or to any outdoor surface. And because turbulence does not negatively affect the amount of energy produced, the oscillating wind panels can be placed in all kinds of places you would never dream of putting a traditional airfoil-based wind generator.
Whereas traditional wind turbines have raised concerns about noise and are disruptive to bats and birds, the Vibro-Wind offers a low-impact, nearly silent alternative. While it won’t replace traditional wind turbines, the technology could broaden the applications of wind energy to places we never thought possible.
The current prototype is a panel of 25 pads that oscillate in the wind. Each pad is attached to piezoelectric transducers that produce energy from these vibrations. Electronmagnetic coils are also being explored as an alternative to piezoelectrics. The panel is being tested on the side and roof of buildings. Researchers envision deploying these devices to produce energy in urban environments for displays, lights, signs, and sensors. Energy could also be stored for other uses.
CHALLENGES SOLVED
Wind turbine shortcomings, wind energy deployment in an urban environment, cost of traditional wind turbines.
DIFFERENCES FROM EXISTING PRODUCTS
Current wind harvesting involves rotary turbines. Shortcomings in these technologies include noise, danger to birds and bats, displaced land, sheer size, investment cost, and difficult implementation in urban environment. The current prototype can function in variable wind speeds and generates little noise and vibration.
THE BIOMIMICRY STORY
Researchers were inspired by the way leaves move in the wind and sought to capitalize on this vibratory motion as a way to harvest energy.
Francis Moon, a mechanical engineering professor at Cornell University, has designed a novel type ofwind energy generator that vibrates in the wind rather than cutting the breeze like a turbine. DubbedVibro-Wind, the design consists of a series of pads attached to piezoelectric cells that generate current when the pads flutter in the wind. This low-impact design could revolutionize localized renewable energy while providing a safer alternative to bird and bat-unfriendly turbines.
Each of the Vibro-Wind’s individual pads generates just a trickle of energy, but when framed in an array they’re capable of producing a significant amount of usable electricity. Professor Moon created a panel of 25 pads to start, but the concept could be easily scaled to virtually any application. They can be easily attached to the facades of large buildings (where there is a constant breeze) or to any outdoor surface. And because turbulence does not negatively affect the amount of energy produced, the oscillating wind panels can be placed in all kinds of places you would never dream of putting a traditional airfoil-based wind generator.
Whereas traditional wind turbines have raised concerns about noise and are disruptive to bats and birds, the Vibro-Wind offers a low-impact, nearly silent alternative. While it won’t replace traditional wind turbines, the technology could broaden the applications of wind energy to places we never thought possible.
Francis Moon, a mechanical engineering professor at Cornell University, has designed a novel type ofwind energy generator that vibrates in the wind rather than cutting the breeze like a turbine. DubbedVibro-Wind, the design consists of a series of pads attached to piezoelectric cells that generate current when the pads flutter in the wind. This low-impact design could revolutionize localized renewable energy while providing a safer alternative to bird and bat-unfriendly turbines.
Each of the Vibro-Wind’s individual pads generates just a trickle of energy, but when framed in an array they’re capable of producing a significant amount of usable electricity. Professor Moon created a panel of 25 pads to start, but the concept could be easily scaled to virtually any application. They can be easily attached to the facades of large buildings (where there is a constant breeze) or to any outdoor surface. And because turbulence does not negatively affect the amount of energy produced, the oscillating wind panels can be placed in all kinds of places you would never dream of putting a traditional airfoil-based wind generator.
Whereas traditional wind turbines have raised concerns about noise and are disruptive to bats and birds, the Vibro-Wind offers a low-impact, nearly silent alternative. While it won’t replace traditional wind turbines, the technology could broaden the applications of wind energy to places we never thought possible.
The current prototype is a panel of 25 pads that oscillate in the wind. Each pad is attached to piezoelectric transducers that produce energy from these vibrations. Electronmagnetic coils are also being explored as an alternative to piezoelectrics. The panel is being tested on the side and roof of buildings. Researchers envision deploying these devices to produce energy in urban environments for displays, lights, signs, and sensors. Energy could also be stored for other uses.
CHALLENGES SOLVED
Wind turbine shortcomings, wind energy deployment in an urban environment, cost of traditional wind turbines.
DIFFERENCES FROM EXISTING PRODUCTS
Current wind harvesting involves rotary turbines. Shortcomings in these technologies include noise, danger to birds and bats, displaced land, sheer size, investment cost, and difficult implementation in urban environment. The current prototype can function in variable wind speeds and generates little noise and vibration.
THE BIOMIMICRY STORY
Researchers were inspired by the way leaves move in the wind and sought to capitalize on this vibratory motion as a way to harvest energy.
Francis Moon, a mechanical engineering professor at Cornell University, has designed a novel type ofwind energy generator that vibrates in the wind rather than cutting the breeze like a turbine. DubbedVibro-Wind, the design consists of a series of pads attached to piezoelectric cells that generate current when the pads flutter in the wind. This low-impact design could revolutionize localized renewable energy while providing a safer alternative to bird and bat-unfriendly turbines.
Each of the Vibro-Wind’s individual pads generates just a trickle of energy, but when framed in an array they’re capable of producing a significant amount of usable electricity. Professor Moon created a panel of 25 pads to start, but the concept could be easily scaled to virtually any application. They can be easily attached to the facades of large buildings (where there is a constant breeze) or to any outdoor surface. And because turbulence does not negatively affect the amount of energy produced, the oscillating wind panels can be placed in all kinds of places you would never dream of putting a traditional airfoil-based wind generator.
Whereas traditional wind turbines have raised concerns about noise and are disruptive to bats and birds, the Vibro-Wind offers a low-impact, nearly silent alternative. While it won’t replace traditional wind turbines, the technology could broaden the applications of wind energy to places we never thought possible.