High Foot Traffic Power Harvesting Technologies and Challenges: A Review and Possible Sustainable Solutions for Al-Haram Mosque
The growing global demand for sustainable energy solutions has led to increased interest in kinetic energy harvesting as a viable alternative to traditional power sources. High-foot-traffic environments, such as public spaces and religious sites, generate significant mechanical energy that often rem...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Fatimah Alotibi Muhammad Khan |
| author_facet | Fatimah Alotibi Muhammad Khan |
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| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The growing global demand for sustainable energy solutions has led to increased interest in kinetic energy harvesting as a viable alternative to traditional power sources. High-foot-traffic environments, such as public spaces and religious sites, generate significant mechanical energy that often remains untapped. This study explores energy-harvesting technologies applicable to public areas with heavy foot traffic, focusing on Al-Haram Mosque in Saudi Arabia—one of the most densely populated religious sites in the world. The research investigates the potential of piezoelectric, triboelectric, and hybrid systems to convert pedestrian foot traffic into electrical energy, addressing challenges such as efficiency, durability, scalability, and integration with existing infrastructure. Piezoelectric materials, including PVDF and BaTiO<sub>3</sub>, effectively convert mechanical stress from footsteps into electricity, while triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) utilize contact electrification for lightweight, flexible energy capture. In addition, this study examines material innovations such as 3D-printed biomimetic structures, MXene-based composites (MXene is a two-dimensional material made from transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides), and hybrid nanogenerators to improve the longevity and scalability of energy-harvesting systems in high-density footfall environments. Proposed applications for Al-Haram Mosque include energy-harvesting mats embedded with piezoelectric and triboelectric elements to power IoT devices, LED lighting, and environmental sensors. While challenges remain in material degradation, scalability, and cost, emerging hybrid systems and advanced composites present a promising pathway toward sustainable, self-powered infrastructure in large-scale, high-foot-traffic settings. These findings offer a transformative approach to energy sustainability, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for renewable energy adoption. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b0993d80e17e402d99eaabd001b18e22 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-b0993d80e17e402d99eaabd001b18e222025-08-20T02:24:43ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01158424710.3390/app15084247High Foot Traffic Power Harvesting Technologies and Challenges: A Review and Possible Sustainable Solutions for Al-Haram MosqueFatimah Alotibi0Muhammad Khan1Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Cranfield University, Bedford MK43 0AL, UKManufacturing and Materials Engineering, Cranfield University, Bedford MK43 0AL, UKThe growing global demand for sustainable energy solutions has led to increased interest in kinetic energy harvesting as a viable alternative to traditional power sources. High-foot-traffic environments, such as public spaces and religious sites, generate significant mechanical energy that often remains untapped. This study explores energy-harvesting technologies applicable to public areas with heavy foot traffic, focusing on Al-Haram Mosque in Saudi Arabia—one of the most densely populated religious sites in the world. The research investigates the potential of piezoelectric, triboelectric, and hybrid systems to convert pedestrian foot traffic into electrical energy, addressing challenges such as efficiency, durability, scalability, and integration with existing infrastructure. Piezoelectric materials, including PVDF and BaTiO<sub>3</sub>, effectively convert mechanical stress from footsteps into electricity, while triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) utilize contact electrification for lightweight, flexible energy capture. In addition, this study examines material innovations such as 3D-printed biomimetic structures, MXene-based composites (MXene is a two-dimensional material made from transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides), and hybrid nanogenerators to improve the longevity and scalability of energy-harvesting systems in high-density footfall environments. Proposed applications for Al-Haram Mosque include energy-harvesting mats embedded with piezoelectric and triboelectric elements to power IoT devices, LED lighting, and environmental sensors. While challenges remain in material degradation, scalability, and cost, emerging hybrid systems and advanced composites present a promising pathway toward sustainable, self-powered infrastructure in large-scale, high-foot-traffic settings. These findings offer a transformative approach to energy sustainability, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for renewable energy adoption.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4247kinetic energy harvestingpiezoelectrictriboelectrichybrid energy systemsAl-Haram Mosquesustainable energy solutions |
| spellingShingle | Fatimah Alotibi Muhammad Khan High Foot Traffic Power Harvesting Technologies and Challenges: A Review and Possible Sustainable Solutions for Al-Haram Mosque Applied Sciences kinetic energy harvesting piezoelectric triboelectric hybrid energy systems Al-Haram Mosque sustainable energy solutions |
| title | High Foot Traffic Power Harvesting Technologies and Challenges: A Review and Possible Sustainable Solutions for Al-Haram Mosque |
| title_full | High Foot Traffic Power Harvesting Technologies and Challenges: A Review and Possible Sustainable Solutions for Al-Haram Mosque |
| title_fullStr | High Foot Traffic Power Harvesting Technologies and Challenges: A Review and Possible Sustainable Solutions for Al-Haram Mosque |
| title_full_unstemmed | High Foot Traffic Power Harvesting Technologies and Challenges: A Review and Possible Sustainable Solutions for Al-Haram Mosque |
| title_short | High Foot Traffic Power Harvesting Technologies and Challenges: A Review and Possible Sustainable Solutions for Al-Haram Mosque |
| title_sort | high foot traffic power harvesting technologies and challenges a review and possible sustainable solutions for al haram mosque |
| topic | kinetic energy harvesting piezoelectric triboelectric hybrid energy systems Al-Haram Mosque sustainable energy solutions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4247 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fatimahalotibi highfoottrafficpowerharvestingtechnologiesandchallengesareviewandpossiblesustainablesolutionsforalharammosque AT muhammadkhan highfoottrafficpowerharvestingtechnologiesandchallengesareviewandpossiblesustainablesolutionsforalharammosque |