Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoewlHwI3U4&feature=related
http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/san-francisco-nightclubs-sustainable-dance-floor-powered-by-partiers.html
http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/san-francisco-nightclubs-sustainable-dance-floor-powered-by-partiers.html
Summary:
When you think of alternative energy sources, you probably
think of solar power, hydroelectricity, or biofuels, which is the thing that
makes the idea of sustainable dancing, or any motion for that matter, so
unique. Sustainable dance uses advanced technology to transform the kinetic
energy made by dancing people in clubs, into energy that powers that very same
club. This mechanism would sit under the panels of the dance floor, as shown in
the video, and as people dance they generate power for the lights in the club.
The best thing about this invention is that, it doesn’t only have to be used in
clubs. Also, it can get kids and teens more interested in helping the
environment. It would be pretty cool to know that while we have fun at our
school dances, we are also working to create a sustainable and non-polluting
energy source. With the limited amount of oil reserves the world has, it is
time creative and innovative ways of obtaining energy are brought into the
light.
Reaction:
When I was first looking through all of the different
alternative energy sources, I came across the usual ones that we learned in
class, like solar and wind power. I looked at these, and I was thinking that we’ve
seen them SO many times before. So, I started looking specifically for weird
alternative energy resources, and I stumbled upon the idea of sustainable
dance. I think it is a really original and just plain fun way to make energy. I especially
like it, because it will get young people more interested in the environment.
Often when we as teenagers can’t relate to something, it makes it harder for us
to put in the effort. But this way we can still have fun and help make
sustainability possible.
Questions to Ponder:
1. Is this a plausible alternative energy source? Why or why not?Questions to Ponder:
2. Other than clubs, where else can this idea of harvesting our kinetic energy be used?
3. Michel Smit, from Sustainable Dance Club, believes that we should have " Sustainability as a goal, and creativity as our means". Do you believe creativity is the way of the future, or should we stick to the safety of what we know will work?
4. What are some environmental benefits of a sustainable dance club? Negative Impact?
Opinion:
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I noticed on this post was the video so watched it. At first I was wondering why there were people dancing then I saw the battery. Then I saw how this works and I thought it was a really good way to get energy. It's an environmentally friendly way to get energy, the only cost for the energy is the actual setup for the floor and people have fun making this environmentally safe energy. The only problem with this energy is that you would need lots of people to make this work but I guess to have the money to buy this system you have to be succesful in the first place.
Answer to a thoughtful Question:
1. This is a very plausible energy source. I accidentally answered this question in my reflection. As I said using dancing as energy is an environmentally friendly way to get energy, the only cost for the energy is the actual setup for the floor and people have fun making this environmentally safe energy. And again the only problem is being succesful enough to get the setup.
Do a baby freeze.
DeleteOpinion:
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the video, I was disappointed by the lack of explanation in the diagram. They showed a generator, some moving platforms, some springs, but neither axis on which the generator spins nor how the axis is spun. Not only is there a blatant lack of science and engineering in this two minute video, but it showcases a nightclub. I would not have a problem with this, were it not a school blog, given all of the mature themes that come associated with them. The panels look intricate with many small parts, so labor costs would likely be high, although the relative simplicity of the design would make the cost of the parts likely less than other alternative energy sources. The problem that keeps coming up in my head is that the massive amount of wattage required for most dances, including lights, music, turntables, and speakers, makes this entirely ineffective. If people were to dance to an outdated laptop, then maybe this would work, but all dances that I can think of require far too much power to produce excess.
Answer to thoughtful question:
3. Creativity is not only important: It is VITAL to everyone leading good lives. A good scientist will be able to question just far enough outside the box to make the absurd possible. Without creativity we would not have vaccines, television, smart phone, art equipment, roads, cars, airplanes, and god knows what else. However, as creativity is vital, so is skepticism. Without skepticism, I would not have seen past the obvious fallacy and hypocrisy in the engineering of this club.
Over-analysis of random question:
Not a question. Also I have no clue what you are talking about, but judging by the name, I'm guessing it's anime.
Chillax bro, the night club video was clean.
DeleteOpinion:
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that people have been able to find yet another way to make energy. While the base concept for this isn't new (motion turns gear, then gear creates energy. This is done in water mills and windmills already), the way they get the motion is unique. I assume that this would not be a cheap source of energy though because of how the dance floor would have to be made. In addition to this, this would probably only be efficient in a club since the music and motion is fast. And just from a amateur dancer's perspective: would people feel the floor moving? That would get kind of annoying.
Answer to Thoughtful Question:
2. In my Opinion section, I already stated that kinetic energy has been harvested in windmills and watermills. However, this is not kinetic energy coming directly from humans. In fitness centers/ gyms, they can design exercise bikes that charge energy as people cycle. Quite honestly any motion can be turned into usable energy, it is a matter of if it is practical. People can strap batteries to themselves so that when they move the motion can charge the batter, but that would be impractical and look ridiculous.
Response to Strike-Through:
No question to respond to, so I'm responding to Pat's analysis. Legend of Korra is an American animated television show owned by Nickelodeon. The creators heavily base their art and setting on East Asian culture. It is a sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender (which in my opinion is 20% cooler).
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOpinion:
ReplyDeleteI actually heard of this, but never researched on my own. It is really cool how something that is so recreational could have environmental benefits. It is just one more step away from our dependence on oil. My dad actually just told me that there is a sidewalk that has the same type on science in china. And as the billions of people walk on it during the day, it gets enough power to be lit at night and then some. I would be really interested in seeing this in action.
Response to Thoughtful Question:
4. There are a lot of benefits to this if this was actually installed in a club. It would be able to cut down on the amount of energy it takes to power he club and make a smaller carbon footprint. The negatives would be the cost and the fear that it might not work but I think it will.
Response to Silliness:
I absolutely love that show. I have not seen a more successful sequel in for ever. I do, on the other hand, disagree with Nam because nothing can beat Avatar: the Last Airbender. (It is probably like 10% less cool)
Now here's an idea that actually works, and it's been used in a lot of other places. The US Army for example has been developing "energy harvesters" (as they're commonly called) to use the energy of walking soldiers, to generate electricity to power devices that they carry. See this for a lot more info on the idea.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_harvesting
But while this idea works, the only problem is that it can only produce very small amounts of power. One person would have a hard time powering a decent flash light with an energy harvester.