Piezoelectric Insole Device as a Stress

Reliever and Relaxation Device

Kevin Joshua E. Bialen, Earl Ramiel G. Cabangal, Leandro B. Gavino
Pasig City Science High School, Pasig City, Philippines
Abstract
Reflexology is an ancient technique developed in China that uses the pressure points located under the feet as a way to
treat diseases by applying pressure to those points. It is believed that the pressure points located under the feet are
connected to different parts of the body. By using electric impulses to the pressure points on the foot, can reduce the
pain that the person suffers from. Combining these with insoles, another material used to make the feet comfortable
when wearing shoes, and piezoelectricity,a way of generating electricity through applied mechanical stress, would
result to a product that can serve as an alternative stress reliever and relaxation device which is easily accessible,
transportable, and usable.
Keywords: reflexology, electric impulses, piezoelectricity

1. Introduction

In the 21st century, the world has
practically been connected, we can go to any part
of the world whether it be in another country, or
even continent. Humans had achieved this by
constantly upgrading our means of transportation
to be much more efficient and accessible through
technology. Whether it be by land, water, or air,
we had made specific modes of transport for all 3
(i.e. cars, ships, planes). However, for relatively
close distances, we still resolve to our traditional
mode of transportation, walking.
The soles of the feet are extremely
sensitive to touch due to a high concentration of
nerve endings, with as many as 200,000 per sole.
This makes them sensitive to surfaces that are
walked on, ticklish and some people find them to
be erogenous zones. With these, shoe insoles are
very important factor for a healthy foot [1]. Due to
exposure to pressure and shock, with time, you
will suffer from foot discomfort and with
continuous activities, you can suffer pain from the
fatigue.
Shoe insoles are made of high-quality
materials to keep the feet comfortable and to
prevent foot disorders. It is good to note that
insoles have immense ability to absorb foot
pressure when standing, walking or running.
That’s why people created comfortable shoe
insoles in order to improve the general health of
your feet, protect your sole and decrease the
discomfort caused by overworking. Shoe insoles
come in handy and you can always settle for
inserts that fits your lifestyle. They come with an
added layer of protection to minimize stress on
your feet. This also helps to prevent muscle and
tissue damage. Modifying this shoe insole with
electric currents while targeting pressure points on
the foot can provide comfort and relief while also
reducing stress.
Shoe insoles are essential and are designed
to offer enhanced comfort and quality protection
to your feet. They improve the state of your feet,
make your walking comfortable and enable you to
carry out your daily duties problem free. Having
your insole covered with nodules that apply gentle
pressure to “vital acupressure points” on your feet
can be very beneficial. One indicator for this was
an ancient technique developed in China called
“reflexology”.
 Reflexology states that the pressure points
located in the foot is directly linked to every part
of the body. It says that when applying pressure to
a certain point in the foot can give positive effects
to which part of the body it is connected with. Our
study will utilize this as a way to help the person
relax without going through the hassle of moving
around but instead let the electricity run through
the pressure points on the foot [2]. There is also a
belief that an energy called Qi is to be a current
that connects the universe and relates the human
body to everything around it.
On the more modern side, there had been
improvements to relieving stress, one of them
being electrotherapy. Electrotherapy makes use of
short pulses of electricity that passes through the
body. Adding electric current to the nodules of the
insole can introduce some health benefits like
relieving pain and providing relaxation for the
user. By using electric impulses to the muscles
which stimulate nerves pressure points on the can
reduce pain that the person suffers from. This is
because of the electricity penetrates the muscle
tissues without invasion. When an electric current
goes through your tissues, you will tickle your
nerves and stimulate interesting sensations and/or
some mild muscle contractions, which may
temporarily drown out or disrupt pain [3].This is
also present in electro-acupuncture.
In electro-acupuncture, electricity is
applied to stimulate specific pressure points linked
to unwanted symptoms. Qi is believed to help
keep your body in balance and promote its natural
ability to heal itself. A blocked or disrupted flow
of qi can negatively impact physical and
emotional well-being [4]. In electro-acupuncture,
the pressure points are stimulated with electric
impulses in order to restart the flow of qi.
This study aims to combine all of the
previously mentioned concepts (i.e.
piezoelectricity, reflexology, and using electric
currents) into one as an alternative stress reliever
and relaxation device. It would basically be an
easily accessible, transportable, and usable
product that almost anyone could use.
2. Methodology
A. Preparation of Materials
The researchers prepared the needed
materials. The researchers bought materials from
Deeco Electronics Store and ElecDesignWorks.
The primary materials that was needed for this
research are the 4 pcs. piezo discs, 1 pc. full
bridge rectifier, 1 pc. charging module (TP4056),
1 pc. 3000 mAh Li-Ion (18650), 1 pc. current
booster (XL6009), 1 pc. Arduino nano, 1 pc.
voltage regulator (TIP122) and the 2 pcs.
electrode gel pad.
B. Assembling the Materials
The researchers placed and attached the
piezo elements properly by using glue gun on
their respective places below the insole, the
researchers also prepared the multimeter so that
they can ensure that thepiezo elements work by
setting the multimeter to AC volts and applying
pressure to the piezo.
After the researchers attached all of the
piezo to their appropriate spots, the researchers
then properly attached the foam tape onto the
center of each piezo disc. These foams will act as
pushers. These foams will squeeze the piezo
discs inwards while walking. The researchers
started soldering the piezo elements into series.
After the researchers finished soldering the
piezo elements into series, the researchers started
building a bridge diode. A bridge diode is required
to filter and convert AC to DC.
Solder the piezo series into the bridge
diode. After the researchers soldered the piezo
series into the bridge diode, the researchers started
soldering the bridge diode to the lithium ion
battery holder. Put the 18650 3000 mAh Li-Ion
battery inside the battery holder.
After the researchers finished soldering the
bridge diode into the battery holder, the
researchers started soldering the battery holder to
the voltage regulator. A voltage regulator is
required in order to control and regulate the
voltage sent to the nodules.
C. Arduino Programming
The researchers programmed and
mimicked the way how the electrode gel pad
works. The programming mainly focused on the
function of the Arduino nano.
D. Creating Holes in the Shoes
The researchers started drilling holes
outside and inside the shoes. The researchers used
an electric drill, and used a drill bit enough for the
wires to fit in the shoe. After the holes are made,
the researchers placed the materials in their
respective places.
E. Testing
After placing the piezo discs in a flat
surface, the piezo discs were able to produce 0.04
to 0.07 volts for each moderate press. This result
came from the display of the multimeter. The
researchers also tried stepping on the piezo discs
while it is inside the shoes and resulted to much
significant difference, which is 0.05 to 0.09 volts.
When the device is turned on, the device is able to
produce the said mA to the electrode gel pad.
3. Results and Discussion
A. Measuring The Electricity Generated By
The Piezoelectric Elements
While performing the tests, data that has
been gathered were recorded and observed. The
data gathered which is the pressure by pressing
and by stepping was listed into a table. The
amount of voltage that was being produced by the
piezo discs each press is about 0.04 to 0.07 volts.
When being stepped on, it produces 0.05 to 0.09
volts.
Table 3.1 Voltage Generated by the Piezo discs by pressing
Test # Voltage Generated
1 0.043
2 0.047
3 0.060
4 0.054
5 0.055
Table 3.2 Voltage Generated by the Piezo discs by stepping
Test # Voltage Generated
1 0.064
2 0.069
3 0.086
4 0.092
5 0.082
B. Measuring of Current Output
The output of our device would be
measured using a multimeter, as human testing is
not allowed. The measuring was done by charging
the device by repeatedly pressing on the
piezoelectric elements to store electricity. The
multimeter was then used to measure the amount
of current that comes out through the gel pads
once the device had been switched on. Once
connected to the gel pads, the output current of the https://www.healthline.com/health/electroacupunc
device was at 1 mA per pulse. ture#how-it-works

C. Measuring the Voltage Output

The voltage output is controlled by the

portable tens device. The multimeter was then
used to measure the amount of voltage that comes
out through the gel pads once the device had
switched on. Once turned on, the voltage output of
the device is 1 volt.

4. Conclusion
The researchers therefore conclude that:
a. Based on the results, the prototype
device was able to generate an average
of 0.0518 volts of electricity per
moderate press and 0.0794 volts per
step which both met the standards of
the researchers based on their RRL.
b. Based on the results, the output current
of the device was at 1 mA per pulse.
c. Based on the result, the prototype
device was able to produce 1 volt on
both gel pads.

References:

[1] Why is the skin on our feet different? - Feel

Your Feet Community. (2018, June 04).
https://www.feelyourfeet.com/educate/skin-feet-
different/
[2]
[3]Ingraham, P. (2018, Feb 11). Zapped! Does
TENS work for pain? Retrieved from
https://www.painscience.com/articles/transcutane
ous-electrical-stimulation.php
[4]Raypole, C. (2019, April 16). Electr-
acupuncture:Uses, Process, Evidence, Side
Effects, and Safety.