Recently, we experienced a power outage during the middle of our school day. I took the opportunity to let my students experience the hands on energy harvesting demonstration lesson plan that I created over the summer at NC State’s ASSIST Center. Energy harvesting is drawing power from another source of energy such as solar, kinetic movement, or body heat among others. The study and application of energy harvesting is vital to the development of wearable devices, as such nanotechnology does not have the space or capability to rely batteries or other internal power sources. Thus, minimal power requirements are very important for the marketability of wearable devices. Many wearable users stop using devices that need regularly charging or battery replacements.
My lesson plan focused on a survival situation utilizing a couple of flashlights and cell phone chargers that could be used in a home emergency kit. Both units are powered by hand cranking and do not use replaceable batteries or electricity. One of them also has a radio feature and a small solar panel to help charging in addition to the hand crank. My business students were asked how much they would pay for each item at the beginning of the lesson and they guessed very close to the actual prices – the smaller and more durable one offered by the American Red Cross retails for approximately $15 and the other one with more options such as the radio and a siren retails for around $35.
American Red Cross – Flashlight and Phone Charger
American Red Cross – Flashlight and Phone Charger
Emergency Ready (ER) Hand Crank and Solar Powered Radio, Flashlight, Siren, and Phone Charger
The power outage lasted a couple of hours which gave the students plenty of time to try out the gadgets. They tried out each function and charged their own phones using the devices. The day was rather warm and the students discovered that they could power my personal fan that has a USB connection (and is normally powered by my laptop) by utilizing the same port used to charge phones which was interesting! The hand cranked charger easily powered the fan which was perfect for our situation in the dark and warm classroom that day.
Student charging a cell phone.
Students powering a fan.
After the conclusion of the experience, I asked my students once again how much they would pay for such emergency energy harvesting items and they all concluded that they would pay much more for the items than the original prices – especially in the middle of a crisis thus demonstrating supply and demand. In addition to power outages we discussed using such technology in other real life situations such as unexpected evacuations, damage due to natural disasters, and acts of terrorism. The students learned the importance of how being energy independent would be vital in an emergency and that preparations ahead of time could help prevent major inconveniences or keep lines of communication open in disaster situations. They also learned how one device may draw energy from an outside source without electricity. Although I am proud of the lesson, I am not sure the experience for my students would have had the same impact if we were not in an actual power outage – which added another dimension to their learning. Next time, if not in an actual power outage I may recreate one in the classroom.
Click the link below to access a copy of my Energy Harvesting Demonstration Lesson Plan:
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