Piezoelectric Advanced Mobility Suit

[dbmorpher]

Hello I have been thinking about an idea for quite a while. It uses piezoelectric materials to enhance the motions of a human wearer.

If someone were to move their leg up, the piezoelectric material will convex and produce a voltage this voltage would be used to trigger a semiconductor that is hooked to a power source. The energy produced by the human movement will trigger the semiconductor allowing current to pass to the piezoelectric material, this would bend the material even more enhancing the person's motion.

I was thinking that a full body suit like this could be much more efficient and compact than a hydraulic exoskeleton of the same strength. I would think PZT strands inlaid in a silicone rubber tube or strip would work but I do not have a good understanding of piezoelectric materials and have never worked with them in real life. Please reply with any questions or flaws in my design

 

[mfb]

I doubt that piezo elements would give sufficient force and motion at the same time, but there is another issue: if you use the same elements for detection and assistance, how do you stop the motion?
The contact to the human, power sources and so on are additional issues.

 

[dbmorpher]

I was thinking of using braces to prevent unwanted movement and stay plugged in til batteries evolve

How powerful are piezos in Newtons?

Does their strength depend on the voltage supplied?

 

[Alkim]

Dear dbmorpher,

What you suggest is in fact a subject of extensive research. Muscles themselves are piezoelectric devices based on specific proteins' large dimensional changes under very weak electrical pulses and there is a quest for developing similar materials. See e.g. the article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroactive_polymer

 

[alphy]

.

Thank you for sharing your idea for a Piezoelectric Advanced Mobility Suit. The concept of using piezoelectric materials to enhance human motion is certainly an interesting one. Piezoelectric materials have been used in various applications, such as sensors and actuators, due to their ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when applying this technology to a full body suit.

First, the efficiency of piezoelectric materials is limited, meaning that not all of the mechanical energy can be converted into electrical energy. This may result in a less efficient use of the wearer's movements compared to a hydraulic exoskeleton. Additionally, the amount of power generated by the piezoelectric material may not be enough to fully enhance the wearer's motion, especially in more strenuous activities.

Another consideration is the durability of the material. Piezoelectric materials can experience fatigue over time, which can affect their performance. This may be a concern for a full body suit that will be subject to constant movement and stress.

Moreover, the design and placement of the piezoelectric material will also be crucial in achieving the desired effect. The material must be strategically placed to capture the most movement and generate the most power. It may also require a complex and precise wiring system to properly connect the material to the power source and trigger the semiconductor.

In terms of the PZT strands inlaid in a silicone rubber tube or strip, this may work in theory, but it would require further research and testing to determine its effectiveness in a full body suit. Additionally, the cost and feasibility of such a design should also be taken into consideration.

Overall, your idea has potential, but there are still some technical and practical considerations that need to be addressed. I would recommend consulting with experts in the field of piezoelectric materials and biomechanics to further develop and refine your design. Best of luck in your research and innovation.