Piezoelectric Roof Tiles

The piezoelectric effect is the key the ability of certain materials to generate an electrical charge in response to applied mechanical stress otherwise known as pressure is the key to the success of kinetic tiles.

Piezoelectric roof tiles. Piezoelectric floors generate many microwatts up to many watts per step depending on space pedestrians frequency and piezoelectric technology. Each glass tile is a pixel in the pathway s mosaic imagery of earth mars the moon and the international. Ilan stern a gtri senior research scientist shows piezoelectric tiles that will be used to create a lighted outdoor footpath at the nasa kennedy space center s visitor complex at cape canaveral florida. Branden camp georgia tech.

When you step on the load bearing glass tile it compresses the piezoelectric element creating an electrical charge that lights up the cavity s 125 leds in the entire footpath about one thousand glass tiles light up in various colors. Piezoelectric materials are materials that produce an electric current when they are placed under mechanical stress.