David Vala

Measurements of Generated Energy/Electrical Quantities from Locomotion Activities Using Piezoelectric Wearable Sensors for Body Motion Energy Harvesting

In this paper, two different piezoelectric transducers—a ceramic piezoelectric, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), and a polymeric piezoelectric, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)—were compared in terms of energy that could be harvested during locomotion activities. The transducers were placed into a tight suit in proximity of the main body joints. Initial testing was performed by placing the transducers on the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle; then, five locomotion activities—walking, walking up and down stairs, jogging and running—were chosen for the tests. The values of the power output measured during the five activities were in the range 6 µW–74 µW using both transducers for each joint.

Accumulation system of electric vehicle and its secondary exploitation

With the constantly evolving technology for the production of electricity and heat production cost of such systems are constantly decreasing. With the growing awareness about human behavior and their impact on the environment are constantly looking for new measures to reduce this impact. The technologies that do not pollute the environment after their production are undoubtedly alternative energy sources and electric vehicles. In combination with awareness of each of us, we can create a system providing both electrical and thermal energy, together with traveling. In the article below outlines the design concept of the electric connection electric vehicle to the electricity system of the house, which is both electrically and thermally independent.

Embedded sensors system for real time biomedical data acquisition and analysis

Design of the prototype embedded sensors system for biomedical data acquisition and analysis. It introduces to issues of measuring vital functions and processing data in real-time and suggestion of mobile embedded system for measuring biometric data. The main aim of the research work is the implementation of a prototype sensor system. Data captured from the body of a person are measured and transmitted to the superior system in real time, where they are processed, evaluated and archived. To transfer data to the nearest superior system is used Bluetooth interface.

Air condition sensor on KNX network

One of the main goals of modern buildings in addition to the management environment is also attempt to save energy. For this reason, increased demands on the prevention of energy loss, which can be expressed for example as an inefficient use of the available functions as a building or heat leakage. Reducing heat loss as a perfect tightness of doors and windows in the building, however, restricts the natural ventilation, which leads to a gradual deterioration of the quality of the internal environment. This state then has a very significant impact on human health. In the closed, poorly ventilated area, the person staying at increasing the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and humidity, which impacts the human thermoregulation system, increases fatigue and causes restlessness. It is therefore necessary to monitor these parameters and then control so as to ensure stable and optimal human values. The aim is to design and implementation Module sensors that will be able to measure different parameters, allowing the subsequent regulation of indoor environmental quality.

Thermal Energy Harvesting on the Bodily Surfaces of Arms and Legs through a Wearable Thermo-Electric Generator

This work analyzes the results of measurements on thermal energy harvesting through a wearable Thermo-electric Generator (TEG) placed on the arms and legs. Four large skin areas were chosen as locations for the placement of the TEGs. In order to place the generator on the body, a special manufactured band guaranteed the proper contact between the skin and TEG. Preliminary measurements were performed to find out the value of the resistor load which maximizes the power output. Then, an experimental investigation was conducted for the measurement of harvested energy while users were performing daily activities, such as sitting, walking, jogging, and riding a bike. The generated power values were in the range from 5 to 50 μW. Moreover, a preliminary hypothesis based on the obtained results indicates the possibility to use TEGs on leg for the recognition of locomotion activities. It is due to the rather high and different biomechanical work, produced by the gastrocnemius muscle, while the user is walking rather than jogging or riding a bike. This result reflects a difference between temperatures associated with the performance of different activities.

Development of the methodology for the management of the electromobile system and the family house system

Due to the expanding trend of smart homes, electromobiles and renewable and alternative energy sources, there is the possibility of linking these systems. In order to optimize and interconnect these systems, all input and output information from these systems must be known. The define main and the secondary optimization criteria and then design the control system according to this optimization criterion. This master control system must be able to work with all on-line inputs and outputs information in real-time, as well as with the prediction and statistics of already accumulated data.

Human vehicle interaction

This paper is focused on technique of strain gauge measuring forces which are transmitted between human and the vehicle. First part is based on theoretical analysis of acting forces and their effect to the vehicle. Second part is dealing with the practical realization measuring equipment and design own measuring device. Last section includes description of experiment and the analysis of collected data.This paper is focused on technique of strain gauge measuring forces which are transmitted between human and the vehicle. First part is based on theoretical analysis of acting forces and their effect to the vehicle. Second part is dealing with the practical realization measuring equipment and design own measuring device. Last section includes description of experiment and the analysis of collected data.

Experimental measurement of energy harvesting with backpack

This article deals with the energy harvesting systems, especially the energy harvesting backpack, which appears as a convenient means for energy harvesting for mobile sensors power. Before starting the experiment, it was necessary to verify whether this energy will be sufficient to get acquainted with the human kinematics and analyze problematics itself. For this purpose there was used motion capture technology from Xsens. Measured data on the position of a particle moving man and back when walking, these data were then used for experimental realization of energy harvesting backpack and as input data to the simulation in Simulink, which brought us a comparison between theoretical assumptions and practical implementation. When measuring characteristics of energy harvesting system we have a problem with measurements on backpack solved when redoing of the hydraulic cylinder as a source of a suitable movement corresponding to the amplitude and frequency of human walk.

EMG as Objective Method for Revealed Mistakes in Sport Shooting

The article describes using electromyography as an objective method for identification of wrong muscles work during aimed shooting focused on sport shooting, especially standing position. The measurement was focused on upper limbs, especially of tension of biceps brachii during aiming and its effect on rifle movements. For this task were used SCATT Shooter Training system and SOMNOScreen device with two channels EMG. Several shooters with different shooting skill participated on measurement. There is presumption dependence between increased tension in muscles and rifle trajectory. Also shooters errors which were hard to find were detect with electromyography.

Detection of Haemolytic Transfusion Bags

Abstract The aim of this work is to design a method that can detect hemolysis of the blood bag with blood plasma. At this time hemolysis in blood bag detects by subjective method. The nurses are comparing the color of blood plasma with reference samples and according to their own opinion and then they evaluate if blood plasma is damaged. Parameter for compare is color. For analysis, it is best to use image sensors - cameras or camera. Software that is designed in MATLAB programming environment is able to detect the color of blood plasma according reference samples. Detecting color is realized in three color spaces and RGB, Lab and xyY.