As a film technician, for me the most noticeable impact of climate change in Ireland has been the increasing wind speeds – in the past 18 months I’ve been on two commercials that were closed down because it was too windy to shoot; that had never happened to me in the previous 15 years. However, there are may be some positive side effects to this new phenomena, energy independence being chief among them.  (more…)

Splash! That's 2 millivolts, thank you!

“Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain…” What if our beloved Irish rain was actually a national energy asset? Following on from my last post about piezoelectricity generated from foot and car traffic, brilliant minds at CEA/Leti-Minatec, an R&D institute in Grenoble, France, have recently developed a system that can harvest energy from falling raindrops.  “Our work could be considered as a good alternative to power systems in raining outdoor environments where solar energy is difficult to exploit,” Thomas Jager told PhysOrg.com, and he could be speaking specifically to Ireland, where, especially in winter, we can’t guarantee the sun, but can expect a healthy dose of rain.

For those of you with a technical bent, this is how it works: the scientists use a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer, a piezoelectric material that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. When a raindrop impacts the 25-micrometer-thick PVDF, the polymer starts to vibrate. Electrodes embedded in the PVDF are used to recover the electrical charges generated by the vibrations, thus converting the raindrop’s mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Slow falling, large raindrops generate the most energy because raindrops falling at high speeds often lose some energy due to splash.  The scientists haven’t yet developed the mechanism for storing this energy, but surely with developments in wind and wave power this can’t be far behind?

A number of other organizations are working on piezoelectric devices as well: Zhong Lin Wang at the Georgia Institute of Technology has devised a sensor that can harvest mechanical energy by bending zinc oxide nanowires: he wants to put it in a shoe, so as you walk you generate power. There’s also Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio, who designed and used a piezoelectric boot to power his mobile phone during a hike across the Namib desert.  TEXON International is looking to raise £1m to further develop these electric shoes.

One of the beauties of piezoelectricity is that the tools involved are not beyond the reach of a clever diy inventor: while not everyone has PDVF lying around, the essence of piezoelectricity is a copper wire, that when bent produces a negative/positive charge; when the pressure on the wire is relieved, an electrical current can be detected.  So who’s up for singing in the rain?

How many volts from a dog on a trampoline?

Imagine generating electricity with every step you take; that every time you drive or cycle, energy is sent to the national grid; and that even your workout is powering the lights and heat of the gym, replacing fossil fuel – sounds great, right?  Well, piezoelectricity is here.

Piezoelectricity is basically the use of certain materials to transform kinetic energy into electricity.  I wrote in another blog about the development of piezoelectric floor tiles that turn foot traffic into electricity; now the first practical installation of this kind is in place at a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Gloucester, England, where “kinetic road plates” are being used to produce 30 kW of electricity every hour. The company’s press release describes the process as a more physical process (plates are pushed down by passing cars to create rocking motions that turn generators) than a piezoelectrical one, but the broader concept of using transient motion to generate electricity is the same.

There’s no reason why this simple, cheap and sustainable type of energy conversion can’t be used in businesses and homes all over Ireland.  And genius scientists are also working on an even more Irish-friendly form of energy conversion: raindrops into electricity, in my next post!

Kahuna and Poppy

On a slightly different note from my previous blogs, with the weekend that’s in it I wanted to take the chance to talk about bunnies. I am the very proud owner of 2 brilliant pet bunnies. What surprises most people is that although my bunnies do have an outdoor hutch, they primarily live in our house. They are fully litter trained, and are free to roam around the house. In fact their favourite hang out is on our landing. Many nights they will sleep there together, stretched out on the carpet.

The reason that I wanted to tell you about this, is to try to raise awareness about rabbits as pets. Before you go out to buy a cute little baby rabbit this Easter, please take the time learn a little bit more about bunnies. As a bunny owner and advocate, there are a couple of things I would love everyone to know about them.
1.    Although they look cute and cuddly, they can be easily hurt and do not like to be lifted up or squeezed.
As prey animals, rabbits like to stay as low to the ground as possible, to escape as necessary. Being held off the ground for long periods is frightening for them. When picking your bunny up, you should do so carefully being sure to support the underside of the rabbit and hold them as close to your chest as possible. A child can easily hurt a bunny by picking it up incorrectly, and should only do so with adult supervision. That said, you should handle your pet bunny at least once every day to get it used to you, your smell and ready for trips to the vet.

2.    They do like to live outside, but also need attention and make perfect indoor pets.
Bunnies make great pets, whether kept indoors or outdoors. However, if you are going to keep them outdoors be sure that their hutch is secure with a warm, dry sleeping area off the ground, and a large run to make sure that they get enough exercise. Most of the hutches sold in pet shops are far too small. The rabbit should be able to hop and run whenever it likes. If you are going to keep your bunny outside make sure to visit it often and keep them safe from predators like cats.
Alternatively your bunny can make a great indoor pet. They are easy to litter train, and are very clean animals. They may chew on wires, so make sure that the room you keep them in is bunny-proofed. Once your bunny is trained you may even be able to let your bunny roam free, as I do.

3.    A diet of carrots and grass does not make a healthy bunny.
The best diet for a bunny is a range of grass, hay, fresh vegetables and pellet food. However, some vegetables, such as carrots should be given less frequently because of the high sugar content. Hay is the most important thing for a rabbit. They will chew on it all day, helping to keep their teeth short.

4.    They can die of fright
Bunnies have a very fast heart rate, and when scared they can die of fright. Whether you keep your bunny inside or outside, be sure that it always has access to somewhere it can feel safe, and can hide from predators.

5.    They will more often die of neglect
The most common cause of death for Irish rabbits is neglect.  You may have heard that rabbits will live for 5-6 years, however when they are properly cared for rabbits can live for up to 12 years. Most house bunnies will live to this ripe old age because they get so much attention and love from their owners. If you keep your bunny outside, make sure that you visit it every day and let it play outside to stretch its legs. Watch out for sign of neglect such as long nails and teeth or matted fur. Also remember that bunnies will need annual vaccines for myxamatosis and VHD.

6.    They can become aggressive when not cared for correctly.
Rabbits have a reputation for being aggressive. However this is completely untrue. Rabbits may become aggressive over time for two main reasons – neutering and lack of company. Your pet bunny can be neutered once it has developed (speak to your vet about this). This is not cruel. It will reduce the number of hormones in their body and help them to settle, as well as preventing them from getting certain cancers – helping them to live a long life.

7.    They are very independent but love company.
Bunnies are very independent and may not look for company in the same way as a dog. However, this does not mean that they like to be alone. They love company – whether human or rabbit. If you are going to keep your rabbit outside, it should never be alone. Get it a companion rabbit. They will live a happy, hoppy life together. If you are going to keep your bunny inside it is not quite as important as you will spend so much time with them. However, they will never be more content than when chilling out with a bunny companion of their own.

So please think about these points carefully before you get a bunny. They are not a children’s toy. They make fantastic pets for everyone when taken care of and loved. If you want to learn more about bunnies and about keeping a house rabbit, visit:
www.rabbit.org
www.myhouserabbit.com
www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk

And if you are going to get one, think about adopting on rather than buying one. There are lots of abandoned bunnies in animal shelters around Ireland, especially this time of year.