Efficient Arduino UNO driven smart highway/bridge/tunnel lighting system employing rochelle piezoelectric sensor

Abstract

This paper proposes the use of Rochelle salt (KNaC4O6.4H2O) as a piezoelectric sensor for efficient smart energy saving systems. The piezoelectric properties of Rochelle salt tested for different configurations have been discussed and the best possible arrangement has been proposed for pressure sensing by Arduino UNO. The Rochelle salt crystals have been synthesized, converted into powdered form and molded in suitable configuration efficient for pressure sensing applications. The proposed Rochelle configuration comprises of 26gms of Rochelle salt packed in cylindrical insulating tube of length 11.4cm and diameter of 5cm employing Cu-Al as electrode combination capable of generating the maximum output voltage of 391mV, which is sufficient enough to be sensed by Arduino UNO. This arrangement has been used for efficient energy saving applications in tunnels, bridges. The lighting system in the tunnel or the lights along the bridge can be turned ON when the vehicle enters the tunnel or cross the bridge by installing the proposed Rochelle sensor on the entrance of tunnel or bridge and can be effectively turned OFF when the vehicle crosses the tunnel or bridge by employing Arduino UNO, thus leading to the efficient energy saving lighting systems. The prototype of the proposed system has been successfully developed and tested experimentally.