People Power: Capturing The Body's Energy For Work On and Off Earth

Can we harvest the unused energy that a human body essentially wastes (mainly it eventually radiates away as heat)?
The human body is on average of 15% fats, capable of producing 11,000 watt hours
When the average Joe eats his daily bread, he takes 3,300 watt hours. The charge rate is about 7kW. Broken into usable terms, waiting to be harvested are :

Activities energy (watts)
walking with heels 67w
sleeping 81w
soldier standing at ease 128w
walking person 163w
briskly walking person 407w
from a long distance runner 1048w
sprinter 1630w

Some of the most promising mechanisms for passively converting human body functions into electricity are:

1. Piezoelectric devices: Piezoelectric substances, like some ceramics, also generate electrical energy from mechanical strain but without the need for voltage to be applied. This well-understood material is the core of "heel strike" devices that generate electricity from walking. "Generating 1-2 watts per shoe is not out of the question. A major issue that remains is the durability of these devices," Dr. Robert J. Nowak, program manager for energy harvesting at Darpa, wrote to SPACE.com. Great for soldiers, bad for astronauts: "giant steps are what you take, walking on the moon."

2. Urine-based fuel cell: Yes, you can turn pee into power and not just by turning a turbine after a few beers. First subject urea to enzymatic hydrolysis to make carbon dioxide and ammonia, and then oxidize the ammonia to nitrogen and water. But the center notes that "one problem with the system is the need for alkaline conditions that may require transport of sodium hydroxide, a hazardous compound. Also, to achieve power generation in the range of 0.5 - 1W, a system to concentrate the breakdown products of urea, such as reverse osmosis, will be necessary." But for astronauts and soldiers on the run, "one attractive feature of this fuel cell concept is the production of water as a by-product of the system."

3. Thermoelectric materials: These materials convert body heat into electricity by using combinations of materials (metals or today, new ceramics) that are poor thermal conductors and good electrical conductors. When two of them at different temperatures come into contact, electrons migrate, charging a battery or creating usable current through something called the Seebeck Effect. The trouble is that you need great temperature differences to get significant energy, and "on Earth most places are pretty close to body temperature," notes Dr. Henry Brandhurst, director of the center. And what about in the cold depths of space? For the inner solar system at least, photovoltaic panels seem like a better bet, he says

4. Electromagnetic generator: Large muscular groups (especially legs) can generate electricity by simple motions against gravity and small direct current permanent magnet motors. But the center cautions, "there is little or no efforts within the scientific community to design efficient small generators of the type needed for harvesting of human energy."

Source : from space.com

Ridha Razak

What has Ramadhan got to do with Sustainable Development?

Muslims all around the world will celebrate the holy month of Ramadhan by fasting all throughout the day for about 30 days. There are many benefits of fasting besides the natural detox process from abstaining the usual eating and drinking routine. Here is a good site to explain some of the benefits. http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/a/ram_benefits.htm

So what has Ramadhan got to do with Sustainable Development? I try to break it down from the 3 Ps dimensions i.e. People, Planet and Profit/Prosperity. 

In Malaysia, Ramadhan is the month that citizens of all religions and faiths truly celebrate by strengthening the community spirit. This can be typically observed at eating outlets during the breaking of fast. I even know some of my non muslim friends who will fast together with their fellow muslims to truly enjoy the delicacies when the dusk breaks. The less unfortunate groups such as the orphans and senior citizens are often invited by corporate organisations and wealthy individuals at such functions. The example given demonstrates that the annual Ramadhan month will provide the opportunity for the People from all walks of life to be closer together in a joyous occasion.

Also in Ramadhan, we hope to take care of the Planet by effectively reducing the waste from not consuming any food and water during the day. Indirectly, we will be able to consume less energy that is used in cooking and boiling water.

The last "P" that I want to explain is the Profit / Prosperity dimension. We will see many people take the opportunity to earn extra pocket money from selling food for breakfast to making cookies for the Hari Raya Celebration (this is the end of Ramadhan). But in this case, the meaning of prosperity should be in a deeper context for all those who truly appreciates the meaning of Ramadhan. When Ramadhan is embraced with sincerity, humility and generosity, God will hopefully reward us with more blessings and prosperity. Maximising of this P in Malay term is what I call earning more Pahala. We might not see the rewards immediately but we also need to do our "savings" for the afterlife :)

SD Malaysia would like to take the opportunity to wish all Malaysians a good Ramadhan !

Selangor To Launch Green Council

Dear YB Elizabeth Wong, 

Based on your comments, you are probably the first politician who articulates very well in the subject of Malaysia GHG reduction commitment. We do hope Selangor state will be the first in the country to declare its CO2 reduction target ! As residents in Selangor, we are more than happy to be part of the stakeholders to provide our inputs :)

Cheers.... 

we @ sdmalaysia

Selangor To Launch Green Council

-The Sun- by Tan Yi Liang
PETALING JAYA ( June 7, 2010 ): The Selangor government will be launching a Green Council to plan environmentally-friendly policies and initiatives.This was announced yesterday by Selangor Executive Councillor for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment Elizabeth Wong.

“We will be establishing the Selangor Green Council. It is a forum consisting of entrepreneurs, civil societies, scientists, educators who will help us formulate green policies and initiatives,” said Wong.

“This council will undertake activities to raise public awareness of climate change and the need to undertake policy shifts with regard to our approaches towards development,” she added.

Wong, who delivered the opening speech at the Greener Governance Talk organized by the Selangor Government said that Selangor had to take the lead as it was Malaysia’s most industrialized state.

“Selangor must take the lead in realizing Malaysia’s pledge at Copenhagen in October last year to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions,” said Wong, who revealed state government initiatives in that direction.

“We have initiated a special study to determine what would be our emissions,” she said.

“Selangor as a state can, and must play its part in the global solution to climate change by introducing sustainable development policies that include mitigation and adaptation,” added Wong, who pointed out that such developments could in fact be good for businesses.

“We are fully aware of the need to create jobs and business opportunities to increase Selangor’s prosperity. The council, along with entrepreneurs and businesses will recommend to the state pro-growth green initiatives.”

“Our efforts to address climate change should open new windows for entrepreneurs and businesses, including social entrepreneurs whose prime motivation is to provide social goods to the community,” said Wong.

“We need to mainstream climate change in sustainable development, and as a state government we must do our part in solidarity with the global community to address this issue,” added Wong. – theSun

Green Technology Budget for Malaysia: Leading by example

This is a another good news from the Prime Minister. You lead by example when you have your own office installed with Green features. Can't wait to see the results..... 

Source: BERNAMA

More Emphasis To Green Technology In 2011 Budget, Says Najib

PUTRAJAYA, July 6 (Bernama) -- Green technology will be one of the key areas to be given priority in the 2011 Budget, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"We need to go green. We have to provide enough incentives for private and public sectors to invest in green technology," he said.

For a start, the Government recently approved that the Prime Minister's Office must be a green building, he said.

"That would set as a benchmark. That has already been decided by the cabinet and is being implemented," he said in his closing remarks at the 2011 Budget consultation meeting here Tuesday.

"I am very keen to see what is happening in my office," he said.

On the meeting, Najib said he was pleased with the discussions that drew 455 participants.

They are from government agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs), business and corporate bodies, professional organisations, chambers of commerce and industry, academics and non-governmental organisations.

Najib said the Finance Ministry received 64 memorandums covering a wide spectrum of macro-economics, sectoral and social issues.

They're very useful ideas that we can pick up. I will combine these (ideas) with the initiatives carried out by the National Key Economic Areas labs.

"The labs will also come up with very useful suggestions to take on board as the 2011 Budget is the beginning of the next push towards Vision 2020," he said.

Najib said the 10 broad areas identified for discussions are human capital for the new economy, seizing local opportunities, enhancing renewable energy for sustainable environment and strengthening corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

"There is a need to encourage CSR activities for our companies to look after their employees' welfare," he said.

In some sub-sectors like plantations, there was a need to enhance some of the support that has been given to employees, he said.

"Terms and conditions of service and facilities provided, especially by GLCs, should be a model or benchmark and not the other way round," he added.

-- BERNAMA