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FIG. 09 — FOUNDER

The Person Behind the Prototype

Footstep Energy Harvester is designed, built and documented by Samyak Patni — an independent student exploring engineering through hands-on making.

Samyak Patni soldering the Footstep Energy Harvester prototype at his desk
Samyak Patni — Founder, Footstep Energy Harvester

PROFILE

Samyak Patni

Builder of this project — from the first question about footsteps and energy, through the physics, the soldering and the testing, to the honest look at what the prototype can and can't do yet.

A pursuit of knowledge

This project is an independent student build: every photo, measurement and limitation on this site is documented honestly, with no made-up numbers.

FIG. 08 — REFLECTION

What Building This Project Taught Me

Piezoelectricity

I learned how certain crystals and ceramics produce a voltage when they are mechanically stressed.

Circuit Design

I learned why parallel wiring, rectification and storage each matter in a low-power circuit. I also learned how to use soldering to efficient build circuits and systems.

Hardware Prototyping

I learned how to turn a sketch into a physical build that can survive repeated pressing.

Measurement

I learned to use a multimeter carefully and to report only what I can verify.

Troubleshooting

I learned to isolate faults one stage at a time when the circuit didn't behave as expected.

Sustainable Technology

I learned that energy harvesting is promising but small-scale, and that honest limits matter: small-small steps towards a greener future.
“This project taught me that engineering is less about getting a perfect result and more about understanding why something works — and being honest about what it can and can't do yet.”
— Samyak Patni

METHOD

How I Approach an Engineering Problem

  1. 01

    Ask a Question

  2. 02

    Understand the Physics

  3. 03

    Design & Plan

  4. 04

    Build & Execute

  5. 05

    Test to collect data and analyse

  6. 06

    Identify Limitations

  7. 07

    Find scopes of improvement

ROADMAP

What Comes Next?

  • ProposedHow to scale the project and make a prototype that is effective and visually aesthatic.
  • ProposedEstimate energy produced per press and calculate the optimal number or discs to use
  • ProposedStudy how disc arrangement affects output
  • ProposedInvestigate capacitor charging behaviour
  • ProposedImprove mechanical stability of the plates

Current Limitations

Limitations

- Generates low magnitude charges - Fluctuating supply - Durability - Scalability and Comfort - Low efficiency through the circuit - Visually not appealing