Gallery: Soundscraper Transforms Vibra...
The soundscrapers would be constructed near major motorways and railroad junctions, prime locations for capturing ambient vibrations.
An entry in the 2013 eVolo Skyscraper Competition, the Soundscrapers would be constructed near major motorways and railroad junctions, prime locations for capturing ambient vibrations. A sound-sucking material would cover the exterior of the tower with a double-skin layer, held away from the façade on a metallic frame.
For each Soundscraper, 84,000 electro-active lashes would cover the metal frame and pick up noise from cars, trains, pedestrians and passing planes. Each of the lashes is armed with sound sensors called Parametric Frequency Increased Generators. Once the noise is picked up, an energy harvester converts the vibrations to kinetic energy. Transducer cells then convert the energy to electricity, which is stored or distributed to the grid for regular electric use.
The team estimates that just one Soundscraper could produce 150 megawatts of energy in a densely populated city, which roughly converts to 10% of the lighting needs of Los Angeles. The clean energy would also help the city reduce carbon emissions and reliance upon fossil fuels. Several Soundscrapers could drastically offset the electrical needs of a metropolis.
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150MW?! How is this physically possible – don\’t understand. Can anybody confirm / explain this figure? The largest single wind turbine in the world (200m high/100m diameter blades) generates 7.5MW for comparison.
I suspect 150kW is what was meant in this article.
Hmm looking at my calender it is very close to April the 1st….
I mean just look at it?
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Why not market a PC or cell phone charger that that fits on the unit that transforms heartbeat vibrations on the surface of your chest, plus your hourly stirring about “seismic” vibrations, into a charging current? That idea will get to market a lot faster and cost the taxpayer a lot less than this mega-cilia nonsense. After the self-winding watch was already on the market a half century.
Ange
Hmm. I’m a little rusty with my physics, but sound is not just vibrational but carried by waves, right? And the air the waves travel on are also filled with gritty pollution as well as sound pollution. Are the cilia self cleaning? Does grime affect their ability to collect noise?
Still – an intriguing idea, despite the spelling and grammar errors! I wish the team luck and hope it works.
I can’t help thinking someone misplaced a decimal point in the calculation of the energy generated. But if this is real, then what a fantastic idea!!
The term “futuristic” best describes such technology when there is no estimated cost provided.
I wonder what happens when it rains..?
wow this is new… hope it actually comes to life
Awesome idea! Love to see this happen..