Startup Wants To Generate Electricity from Floors

Ann Arbor, MI, June 19, 2009--Piezoelectric technology may one day enable heavily used floors to generate electricity.

Elizabeth Redmond, an art student, and Andrew Katz, have formed PowerLeap LLC to market "piezo-ped" technology. The technology takes the vibration from footfalls to produce electricity.

The piezoelectric effect has been known for more than a century: When compressed or stress is induced in a material, an electric field is generated across it. Plastic and ceramics are excellent materials for generating the piezoelectric effect.

PowerLeap LLC is working with flooring manufacturers and architectural designers to commercialize piezo-based flooring for high-foot-traffic areas like train stations and nightclubs.

The prototype design consists of a ceramic piezoelectric compound sandwiched between the top of the rigid flooring and the substrate. Right now, they're targeting $100 to $200 per square foot.

PowerLeap is currently working with an unnamed "green" dance club in San Francisco to install its piezo flooring there as a test bed.