Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2009
Capstone Advisor
Samuel P. Clemence
Honors Reader
Rick Martin
Capstone Major
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Capstone College
Engineering and Computer Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
yes
Honors Categories
Sciences and Engineering
Subject Categories
Engineering | Other Engineering
Abstract
The world is in the midst of an energy crisis and it is only going to get worse. World energy consumption rates are increasing by the day; meanwhile, the amount of available natural resources to generate energy is decreasing at impressive rates. In addition, humans are becoming more aware and educated about the vast impact that their daily lives have on the environment. Scientists have discovered that the earth has been gradually warming over the past few decades. Natural cycles within the earth’s climate, at this time, cannot fully explain the relatively large increases in surface temperature in such a short amount of time. Therefore, the United States and the rest of the world are changing their attitude toward the environment. Instead of a use and abuse policy that we once had as humans, we are changing into a reuse, recycle, and renew society.
In an attempt to incorporate sustainability within the daily lives of humans, as a solution to the energy and global warming crises, I have developed a prototype for a system that coverts kinetic energy or “human energy” to useful electrical energy. The prototype produces clean, renewable energy by harnessing the energy spent by a gym user on an upright exercise bicycle. The electrical energy will then be incorporated into the gym’s electrical grid and used immediately to power low voltage circuitry such as televisions, fans and lights within a closed loop system.
Recommended Citation
Mockaitis, Matthew, "Sustainable Fitness Centers" (2009). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 451.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/451
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