Piezoelectric Cementitious Components for Energy Harvesting in Roadways and Pedways

The research objective of this University of Kentucky Seed Grant project is to investigate the barrier of developing piezoelectric cementitious components larger than 2-inch square mortar specimens for energy harvesting. Research funded by the National Science Foundation in 2014 allowed researchers at the CAER to quantitatively and unambiguously verify ettringite as a piezoelectric mineral. This discovery has enabled the functionalization of ettringite as a potential material for energy harvesting in civil engineering structures. The proposed project will build on the established discovery to develop precast cementitious components, i.e. blocks or pavers, that may be inserted into pedways or roadways (both concrete and asphalt) to harvest energy from the mechanical strain of vehicular and foot traffic. The harvested energy will be used, for demonstration purposes, to power LED lighting along those sections of energy harvesting pathways.