Converting noise into electrical energy

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the concept of converting noise into electrical energy, with participants exploring the feasibility and efficiency of such a device. While some acknowledge that noise can be transformed into electrical energy, they emphasize that the amount of energy available is minimal, often rendering the effort impractical. Suggestions include using piezoelectric materials and magnetic dampers to harness energy from mechanical vibrations, but concerns about the low energy yield persist. Participants also share insights about existing devices like "Sonea" and express interest in further research related to sound energy conversion. Overall, the conversation highlights both the potential and challenges of developing technology to capture energy from noise.
  • #101
What constitutes a "huge amount"? 1W, 1MW? If you can't answer that then you have no answer to any of this.
 
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  • #102
I read that sound absorbing material absorb the sound waves and store it in the form of energy, usually heat. Will it be possible to store this energy through some mechanism over a period of time and then use when there is a requirement?
 
  • #103
Why do people ignore the QUANTITIES involved? Is this not the whole crux of this topic? Does the amount of energy involved not strike you as relevant?
 
  • #104
nydhruv, Welcome to Physics Forums!

Your suggestion to store heat from the absorption of acoustical energy makes no sense. Did you read sophiecentaur's post(s) above? Do your maths. The AMOUNT or QUANTITY of this heat, if you calculate it, will be tiny, miniscule, infinitesmal, and hardly measurable.
 
  • #105
Noise is not a very large amount of energy at all. If a person were to scream as loud as they could for 5 years, they will have produced enough energy in noise to heat a cup of coffee.
 
  • #106
http://personal.stevens.edu/~mmohdisa/about.html

Beyond this, there is now a capsule that generates microvoltage from low-frequency sound that powers implanted medical devices.

The tech is new. It will evolve. I envision a transfer process or interface that would further the efficiency of the process. If the SPL can be transferred to a more effective conductor (liquid) I could see it being harvested more expressly.

I keep watching with fascination.
 
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  • #107
Keith Edward said:
http://personal.stevens.edu/~mmohdisa/about.html

Beyond this, there is now a capsule that generates microvoltage from low-frequency sound that powers implanted medical devices.

The tech is new. It will evolve. I envision a transfer process or interface that would further the efficiency of the process. If the SPL can be transferred to a more effective conductor (liquid) I could see it being harvested more expressly.

I keep watching with fascination.

Did you read the conclusions? The Power levels involved are laughable (of course) in the results. Why would you expect that a "more effective conductor" would help? What new principle would it all be based on? They have used their resonators in an attempt to match the impedance of the incoming sound to their energy converter and they have a detectable amount (but so does any microphone) but they do not claim to be getting any more energy than is actually available.
Do you really believe that 'somewhere out there' there is a vast amount of acoustic power? If there were then we would be deafened!
 
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  • #108
LastTimelord said:
Noise is not a very large amount of energy at all. If a person were to scream as loud as they could for 5 years, they will have produced enough energy in noise to heat a cup of coffee.

If you go into some cafes, you would have to scream a lot longer than that before you were served?
 
  • #109
kthouz said:
Hello everyone!
I have an idea of making a device that can convert noise into electrical energy.
In many fields (industries, cars, construction machines,...), some used machines make much noise, then I thought as sound (noise) causes mechanical energy, why not convert that mechanical into electrical energy as microphones do to convert the sound into electrical signals? But here, i would like that device to be more efficient than a microphone.
So if anyone worked on the same project or knows something about it that can be helpful, please let me know.
Thank you.
I will be posting here what I've done so far.

i want more information relating to this concept so pls most how to start this project
 
  • #110
fzlsm said:
i want more information relating to this concept so pls most how to start this project

I should read all the posts on this thread before you get too enthusiastic about the idea. You really need to consider just how many mW you might hope to harvest. Some people who have contributed don't seem to be aware of the significance of the actual quantities involved.
 
  • #111
hey i also have the same idea but i am confused from where to start and what concept to use. please help me
 
  • #112
Google "energy harvesting".

These days it is possible to make things like wireless sensors that power themselves by harvesting energy in various forms (heat, sound, vibration etc). This is mainly because advances in low power electronics allows microprocessors to run on very little power.

Just bear in mind that the law of conservation of energy applies. If you invent a magic box that harvests energy it won't be able to deliver more energy than is available to be harvested.
 
  • #113
fzlsm said:
i want more information relating to this concept so pls most how to start this project

sanju paul said:
hey i also have the same idea but i am confused from where to start and what concept to use. please help me

Just bear in mind that the available energy from sources other than the 'big ones' like sunlight, wind etc., it very very little and there's nothing you can do about that. My grandson has a Science kit which gave him the appropriate metal rods to stick in a couple of oranges and it will just power a small digital clock - and oranges are not free - although someone 'harvested' them.
Think small and you will not be disappointed. Phone charging?? I don't think so, under many circumstances.
 
  • #114
isnt it time for this thread to be locked ?

8 pages of round and round in circles

none of these question posters seem to be willing to listen to reality or do the maths and see how pointless the idea is

Dave
 
  • #115
davenn, Agreed!

Bobbywhy
 
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