Group 2

Antonio, Christopher Yenyen

Baluyot, Yuri Stanley
Basada, Harvey
Gajo, Aaron Aldrei
Mapalo, James Aron
Working Exercise/ Assignment 1

Tentative Research Title: Piezoelectric Energy as an Alternative Source of Power in Time of

Insufficient Supply in the Philippines

1. Select a problem which you will pursue throughout the curse.

Answer: The problem we will be addressing is the supply shortage of Power in the Philippines.
2. What are the various facets/components of your problem?
Answer: First is that the demand on electricity is growing fast. Second, the supply of electricity is
often short, especially during drought season. Lastly, The difference in usage of electricity
between urban and rural areas.
3. Review the literature.
a. What is the state knowledge regarding your problem?
Answer: According to the study of Shinichi Taniguchi that “the Philippines has improved it’s
access to electricity but it is highly dependable on coal and transmission lines; while trying to
supply electricity to the cities, rural areas have left behind. This results in inequality of
distribution.”
b. What component of your problem has not been resolved?
Answer: None of our problems has been resolved as Steven Rood states that “the reason why
the government hasn't resolved the problem is because of the delay of getting a permit which
requires 165 signatures and another one is reluctance of some investors in the face of
contractual and pricing insecurity.”
4. Considering the criteria in problem selection.
a. Is your problem testable/researchable?
Answer: Yes and there are studies about the insufficiency of power in the Philippines.
b. Will the potential result/answer fill a gap of literature or improve the current state of
knowledge? Will it enhance the existing literature? Will it reject the current knowledge?
Answer: Yes it will improve and enhance the existing literature by bringing new understandings
of issues in the content area and combining methods that have not been combined previously.
c. Will the solution to the problem improve the practice of mechanical engineering or any
related to it? Will it improve the needs of society?
Answer: Yes, as some mechanical engineering applications and principles are being applied
and tested in the proposed research. Yes, the aim of the proposed research is to improve the
supply and lessen the demand for power in the Philippines. Moreover, it can be a great
alternative source of renewable energy.
5. Consult with an expert in your subject.
a. What does he/she say about the problem? – Its significance?
Answer: He asked how we are going to be part of the solution to the problem, that, how are we
going to solve the power shortage.
b. What are his/her suggestions?
Answer: He suggested that we read related literature pertaining to our study so that we will have
ideas on how we are going to do it and how we will improve our research.
6. Formulate the hypothesis of your problems.

 How can Piezoelectric Energy produce electricity?

 Can Piezoelectric Energy provide electricity to rural and urban areas?