Piezoelectric Power: Autonomous Energy or Imbedded Exploitation?

I was scrolling through I blog and I noticed a post which made reference to piezoelectric materials: the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that have been garnering a lot of press attention as of late. Unlike other similar microelectronic systems, piezoelectric materials have the unique ability to generate their own power by converting motion into electricity. This has sparked a lot of interest in piezoelectric as a portable self-sustaining source of power for small electronic devices like cellphones and music players. The technology is still fairly primitive but in the last few months several concept devices, some imbedded in shoes have been making the rounds in the press.

Most of that research has come out of Georgia Tech where ZL Wang's NanoScience and Technology Group have created the first fully motion-powered nano device.

Wang, along with Liwen Lin who runs the LinLab at UC Berkley are researching ways to make piezoelectric power more efficient and durable so that it can be integrated into more consumer goods. As of now the technology is still largely conceptual though in the last six-months several US Patents have been filed by major corporations including Nokia.

Though much of the rhetoric surrounding piezoelectric research emphasized individual autonomy, and civic reclamation of power, interest from corporations like Nokia lead us to imagine a more dismal future....or maybe not. What do you think? Leave your comment below.

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Can anyone put me in contact with the handsome actor/gravedigger from Staten Island who is in Thursday's class. I'm sorry I forgot your name. I feel bad about blemishing this lovely blog with such request so here's a little razzle-dazzle to make up for it.

reNEWable times square

In an earlier post, I mentioned that the city (Bloomberg) is planning a serious reconfiguration of Times Square slated to start in 2012 as part of the 'green light midtown' project, and that in the interim, they'd issued a RFP for temporary design treatments for the newish pedestrian blocks of Broadway, called 'reNEWable times square'.

Fran, Tusia, Jason & I took a stab at the proposal, and handed in our ideas this past Friday. It basically  breaks all their rules (i.e all they wanted was a 2D, 4 color replicable/simple design to be painted onto the pedestrian stretch of Broadway...), but here it is, in exactly 300 words:

"Our proposal is three-fold. First, the Kinetic Path, an interlocking, replicable leaf pattern of piezoelectric tiles, will be integrated into pedestrian areas. When walked on, these tiles convert the energy of footsteps into electricity. Second, this electricity will be used to: (1) power LED Light Installations integrated into the “stem” of each leaf within the Kinetic Path. Each will display a work by a recognized poet that celebrates NYC; and (2) supplement the power needed to light
municipal facilities in Times Square, such as the TCKTS booth and staircase. Third, Sculptural Gardens will be: (1) integrated horizontally into one section of each Kinetic Path; and (2) hung vertically on either side of the booth. 
 
"NYC is a model for the other great metropolis of the world, and under the Bloomberg Administration it is becoming a leader in urban environmental initiatives. Our proposal touches on all six elements of PlaNYC and encourages direct civil participation. The Kinetic Path raises awareness of our individual capacity to contribute to the preservation of the environment and makes pedestrians aware of their role in the City’s energy initiatives, encouraging further individual environmental efforts and developing a sense of pride in civil participation. At the same time, the collective energy created by the 350,000+ daily pedestrians renders the tiles functional, thus contributing to the greening of Times Square.
The Sculptural Gardens serve a double purpose: (1) they aid in air purification, temperature cooling and water re-use, which complements the improved traffic mobility goals of Green Light for Midtown; and (2) they add an inviting element that encompasses existing seating arrangements and provides a pleasant space to enjoy a relaxing moment. The Light Installations offer an opportunity for both New Yorkers and tourists to discover or revisit some of the most celebrated works inspired by the City."

Only 2 classes left: ACT NOW!

Baking and Law-Breaking: Tomorrow! Tactical Media class is invited to bring baked foods or bought fruit to add to a selection of items for illegal distribution on New York's streets.

Once the ziplock bags are filled - we can snack too!

Humor in a Time of Conflict

This book sets up a great critical foundation for humor and intervention...definitely worth looking at:

hat do Jon Stewart, Freddy Krueger, Patch Adams, and George W. Bush have in common? As Paul Lewis shows in Cracking Up, they are all among the ranks of joke tellers who aim to do much more than simply amuse. Exploring topics that range from the sadistic mockery of Abu Ghraib prison guards to New Age platitudes about the healing power of laughter, from jokes used to ridicule the possibility of global climate change to the heartwarming performances of hospital clowns, Lewis demonstrates that over the past thirty years American humor has become increasingly purposeful and embattled.

Navigating this contentious world of controversial, manipulative, and disturbing laughter, Cracking Up argues that the good news about American humor in our time—that it is delightful, relaxing, and distracting—is also the bad news. In a culture that both enjoys and quarrels about jokes, humor expresses our most nurturing and hurtful impulses, informs and misinforms us, and exposes as well as covers up the shortcomings of our leaders. Wondering what’s so funny about a culture determined to laugh at problems it prefers not to face, Lewis reveals connections between such seemingly unrelated jokers as Norman Cousins, Hannibal Lecter, Rush Limbaugh, Garry Trudeau, Jay Leno, Ronald Reagan, Beavis and Butt-Head, and Bill Clinton. The result is a surprising, alarming, and at times hilarious argument that will appeal to anyone interested in the ways humor is changing our cultural and political landscapes.

bio-bag intervention 1!!

A first small success. Please check my blog post here

Thanks Will for the action shots!

40 Hour Response Video 2