F.M.A. Alshehri^*1,2

¹QA/QC Engineer, Red Sea Global, Saudi Arabia
²Department of Civil Engineering, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia

Submitted on 22 April 2025; Accepted on 08 May 2025; Published on 13 May 2025

To cite this article: F.M.A. Alshehri, “Electricity Generation from Mass,” Insight. Electr. Electron. Eng., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-4, 2025.

Copyright:  

Keywords: electricity; generation; mass; compressive tensile; piezoelectric

1. Introduction

When looking at the world's daily energy needs for electricity consumption in all aspects of life, from electric lighting inside homes and workplaces within both simple and large structural buildings like houses or big buildings, paying millions of dollars to operate electricity and pay expensive bills, and considering the very high quantities of space and materials needed to build skyscrapers, palaces, hotels, and other structures, we might take a very simplified example to serve as a foundation for this research and convey the basic idea, and then apply it to those various buildings. This could be an entry point to utilize the weights of heavy individuals in social life; their weights could be used to charge mobile devices, operate temporary lighting for their office work, and generate local and temporary electricity within bathrooms using the weights of toilets.

Let’s look from another angle, which is the angle of environmental preservation. When considering the diverse losses from electricity generation at power plants, the amount of oil wasted to operate those plants, the electricity distributed to homes, commercial establishments, and others, and the costs associated with the construction and operation processes to facilitate the connection, it is possible to eliminate these costs by at least 60%. The latent energy derived from the weight of loads and weights can be exploited. I would like to start here from the principle of utilizing dead loads in buildings in general. It is well known that there are live loads and dead loads, both of which are calculated when designing buildings and constructions. As is known, live loads have been exploited to generate electricity in many ways, and there are practical and applied studies within buildings.

2. Objectives of the Scientific Publication

2.1. First objective

To develop a method for harnessing the energy from pressure and tension to generate electrical power. This involves utilizing potential energy, which is the energy stored in objects due to their position above a defined level. To calculate the amount of potential energy being harnessed, we employed the potential energy formula for a concrete element. In this study, we specifically focused on a concrete column with a height of 1 meter. The scientific and mathematical explanation will be provided in the following points.

2.2. Second objective

To assess the effectiveness of the energy derived from a 1-meter tall column, our research indicated that a medium-capacity air conditioner consumes between 1500 and 2500 watt-hours, averaging around 2000 watt-hours. By applying the potential energy formula to this 1-meter column, we estimated approximately 22,540 joules, which is equivalent to 22,540 kilogram meters squared per second squared. This implies that the effectiveness of the energy will operate at a low but continuous effort. When converting this to watts, the calculation is as follows: 22,540 divided by 3600 results in 6.26 watts, where 3600 represents the number of seconds in one hour (60 minutes × 60 seconds = 3600 seconds).

^*Note that the calculated mass is 2300 kilograms [1], and the measured height is 1 meter for the column. Thus, when variables such as height and mass increase, the results differ significantly, and the impact strength increases.

2.3. Third objective

The feasibility of implementing exploitation methods and utilizing column elements.

After identifying the elements needed to be added to the concrete element to activate the latent energy and convert it into continuous piezoelectric energy due to the constant pressure and tension generated by the concrete, it is evident that determining these elements requires practical and contemporary experiments on the nature of the proposed materials intended for use. This is because these elements must be fixed to the heads of the rebar at the corners of the bars, and the tensioning process occurs during the pouring of the column. The weight of the concrete directly affects the elongation of the tendons fixed at the heads of the bars, and the compression process is completed upon finishing the pour. I suggest utilizing piezoelectric materials between the processes of compression and tension, as well as nanocells [2]. It is essential to apply pressure to the concrete and tension to the tendons fixed to the bars to generate energy that can be harvested from one side of the column and controlled.

As mentioned earlier, while the scientific application is comprehensive, the practical and laboratory application requires further exploration to identify suitable materials and methods that can be processed in the field to exploit this energy.

3. Questions and Hypotheses

3.1. How is this potential energy exploited to generate electricity?

Upon examining the concrete element of the column, it consists of two main components for its stabilization and formation: concrete and steel reinforcement bars. By the nature of this element, concrete undergoes compression [3], while the steel bars undergo tension [1]. To generate electricity, there must be both positive and negative forces. In this concrete element, the weight of the poured concrete represents a positive compressive force [4], while the steel bars represent a negative tensile force [4]. The resulting resistance can be harnessed to create both positive and negative currents.

3.2. How is the potential energy calculated?

By applying the potential energy formula, the exploitable potential energy can be calculated assuming a column height of 1 meter.

The potential energy formula is:

Potential energy = height * gravity * mass = kilograms * meters squared/second squared [5].

PE = {H * G * M}

Height = 1 meter
Gravity = 9.8 meters/ second²
Mass = 2300 kilograms

Thus, potential energy = 1 * 9.8 * 2300 = 22540 kilograms * meter²/second²

To convert potential energy to watts, it should be divided by 3600.

Therefore, resulting power = 22540 / 3600 = 6.26 watts [6].

3.3. What are the components of the proposed process, and what is the suggested name for it?

The elements have been categorized according to their structure and primary function, with additional supporting elements included to leverage the functions of the primary elements. Therefore, the elements are classified into two categories: the first category is referred to as primary elements, and the second category is referred to as supporting elements, as follows:

A) The primary elements consist of:

1- Concrete: This is a fundamental material in this structure, as it plays a crucial role in the compression process. It has been selected due to its mass of 2300 kilograms, and its energy and impact can be clearly understood based on documented previous studies. It can be replaced by any other element, depending on the availability of materials, noting that its mass is 2300 kilograms.

2- Steel reinforcement bars: This is another essential material in this structure, chosen for its role in the tension process. The tendons will be anchored at the top of the bars, and the concrete's compressive force will be utilized to create tension in the tendons by taking advantage of the length of the bars. In the future, it may be possible to forgo the use of the bars by employing external tendons for better and stronger control, though this approach may be considered for other applications and objectives that could serve as a research field for other enthusiasts.

B) The supporting elements consist of:

Supporting elements can be a brilliant method in their own right, as they arise from the need for other specialties such as electrical engineering, materials engineering, electronics engineering, and other precise fields to form these supporting elements and define their functions as needed. Here, we will mention the names of the supporting elements and explain their practical functions:

1- The tendons: The inferred process for this material is a continuous tensioning process, which is connected to the concrete's compressive base through an element called the Compressive-Tensile Mediator. This allows the tensioning process to be ongoing due to the pressure from the concrete. The properties of string materials are that they are semi-elastic, cannot be separated under tension, and respond to the compressive process in a reverse manner. Materials must be stretchable and pluggable; thus, it is preferable for ceramics [7] or nanostructures [2] to be the primary component of these tendons.

2- The Compressive-Tensile Mediator: The process deduced from this element is a continuous pressure action facilitated by the tendon process. Compression remains continuous due to the presence of the concrete mass, and the tension of the tendons ensures the continuation of the compression work of the structural base element. It is named as such because it is the main element in maintaining the pressure process, acting as a conductor between the tension and pressure processes. In addition to turning on the mass reading to translate it into an internal power generation element to extract electricity, it functions similarly to a voltage regulator, with the addition of some elements that need to be studied separately. This element is, in itself, an invention, a coin method that must be developed as shown in the research. The focus of the research is on the possibility of converting mass into electrical energy; therefore, this element has been classified as a supporting element.

3.4. What is the proposed function of the connector in the column for energy generation, and what is the suggested material for its construction?

The function of the connector element, as previously explained, involves simultaneously measuring the actual pressure and tension. From this measurement, the amount of energy harvested is inferred and then extracted in the form of electricity. It is preferable for the material comprising the connector element to be ceramic or nanostructures due to their strength, while also considering the possibility of making it a semi-elastic material to facilitate the ongoing process of tension and pressure.

3.5. What is the actual process of the tension elements with the connector, and what are its components?

The process of the tension elements, as mentioned earlier, is a tensioning operation. While it does not inherently generate tension, it is anchored at the heads of the rods, utilizing the pressure of the concrete on the connector to maintain continuous tensioning of the strands. This is achieved while preserving the goal of concrete compression on the connector without compromising the function of any element, whether primary or auxiliary. The proposed material for the strands is suggested to be either ceramics [7] or nanostructures [2] to activate the process of continuous tensioning.

3.6. How is electrical energy extracted from the Compressive-Tensile Mediator and read?

When internal electricity is generated due to continuous pressure and tension, the energy is converted into an external battery for storage and control. It can then be measured using electrical energy measuring devices.

3.7. What is the feasibility of applying and activating it?

It can be implemented and tested in a separate experiment, and there are no barriers to its implementation. However, there must be a team of relevant disciplines, as previously recommended, to implement it as required. Since the research study is based on a 1-meter model, and the results are promising, the need for other relevant disciplines for an in-depth study of the material's effectiveness and the implementation of the idea is important. This would allow for recent developments in the properties of the material. Additionally, the team must also focus on the Compressive-Tensile Mediator element.

3.8. What are the financial requirements for its implementation?

I think that regardless of whether the amount of the experiment is large, medium, or small, it is worth trying and applying. This experience is not only about failure or success but about improving the feasibility of the idea and applying it as needed.

3.9. To what extent can it be applied in construction elements?

Through a well-designed column and a planning approach in line with the engineering vision of the structure, it can be applied in the longest structural elements, such as columns, roofs, beams, or others. It is at the most compactable point of concrete to give high tension. However, these elements can be manufactured in any field and anywhere, and their strength can be controlled. At the same time, they cannot make a structural gap or a complete vacuum. But with the composite homogeneity in the applicable element part, all the functions required of the elements will be met, and all elements will work as required, fulfilling the basic requirements of structural elements or the requirements involved in the exploitation of the structural elements process.

4. Proposals and Recommendations

It is suggested that there should be a comprehensive team encompassing all disciplines, including design engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, electronics engineering, and others, to work in a collective and cohesive manner. It is recommended that, before commencing the experiment, there should be a firm belief that serving humanity is a noble goal that cannot be halted at any stage or specific age. All requirements for the Compressive-Tensile Mediator process can be met and accomplished. The strength of the strings should be calculated using a pressure coefficient, as tensile strength [8] is what provides high energy to multiply continuous electrical production. Increasing the number of strings in the column enhances the process by increasing the frequency [9], since a greater number of strings correlates with an increase in the tension associated with the direct compression process.

5. Summary

The summary, as inferred from the above, is that the scientific and mathematical equation is entirely consistent with the anticipated amount of electric power generation. It is possible to plan and implement the decisive process, leveraging the forces of compression and tension to generate electricity. Additionally, the use of piezoelectric processes in conjunction with ceramic materials can enhance and control electric power. The experimental scope has been defined to explore the potential benefits, considering that changes in mass, whether increases or decreases, play a crucial role in the strength of electricity. Therefore, the strings have a pivotal role in the continuity of generation through tension. This could herald a new revolution in energy generation from weights and physical masses, whether in buildings or objects. The knowledge harvested from this publication focuses on utilizing essential elements alongside auxiliary elements by applying piezoelectricity, making certain modifications, and developing methods for employing these elements to produce electricity, increase electrical output, and control it.

References

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