Gizmodo
A knee brace that generates enough electricity to power 10 cellphones was demonstrated by scientists recently. The brace harvests the energy of a person's knee braking after taking a step, similar to the way hybrid car brakes collect energy to charge their batteries. The device only weighs 3.5 pounds, and does not need the intense effort that other human-powered energy generators such as hand cranks require. And while the cellphone measurement given by the creators is pretty useless, they do have several practical applications in mind.
A knee brace that generates enough electricity to power 10 cellphones was demonstrated by scientists recently. The brace harvests the energy of a person's knee braking after taking a step, similar to the way hybrid car brakes collect energy to charge their batteries. The device only weighs 3.5 pounds, and does not need the intense effort that other human-powered energy generators such as hand cranks require. And while the cellphone measurement given by the creators is pretty useless, they do have several practical applications in mind.Scientists suggest that the brace could be used by campers and soldiers to power GPS locators and satellite phones in areas with limited access to electricity. It could also charge prosthetic knees, eliminating the need for periodic surgery to replace the batteries in the joint.
The current version of the knee brace is just a proof-of-concept; the team plans to make the device less bulky while still retaining its energy harvesting capabilities. We think this is a great idea with lots of potential (even if it was created in part by a University of Michigan professor). Hopefully we can get a working model before CES next year so we'll never need to worry about our laptop running out of juice. [Science via Science Daily, Reuters, BBC]
Comments
do they plan on making it quieter? because i think the noise could cause some probmes for the soldiers...
@daversW: You're hearing the treadmill.
I'm down for this gadget and would buy one right away. This would be great way to supplement the solar stuff I use now for camping, plus I like the small size. I'd have it charge a battery, which could be used for whatever device. Hell, even when I travel, I could use this in the urban landscape to keep the battery fresh in some GPS/Phone devices.
What's with the jab at U of M? We all know Michigan State is the whipping boy...
Bob: Hey Enrique what's that strapped to your leg?
Enrique: Well Bob, that's my biomechanical energy harvester
Bob: You don't say...
I want one for my wrist to power my laptop when I'm, um, yeah... Just let us know when the wrist model is out!
this is the bee's knees, yo!
I love how they have wires coming out of his back and he even has stuff hooked up to his head. Thus spawned the Matrix.
Pocket protector for the 2010s
Now I'll be able to see who'll get my Star Trek references just by their knees.
"do they plan on making it quieter? because i think the noise could cause some problems for the soldiers..."
The answer is of course it will be quieter. Right now the device is open and made of steel and aluminum. You are right the soldiers will not like the noise very much. It will have the ability to be dis-engaged when needed.
The wires are running to a computer where the control currently reside to engage and dis-engage the generator. The control systems will be on-board.
Find out more about this at www.bionic-power.com
Hook up anorexics to this and we'd have unlimited electricity
However, if we apply the back-EMF into the generator core...
heh. j/k
Restless Leg Syndrome + These Things = Green Energy!
Hey, that would fit nicely right below my Stadium Pal.
Just wonder how long before "other" electric devices will be powered by this? Perhaps by energy absorbing springs in high heals as well?
Wasn't there a post a while back about the DARPA funding something along these lines? If I remember correctly, the soldiers carry >10 lbs. of batteries on each mission (GPS, night vision, radio, etc.). If soldiers could keep everything charged via "personal area network" fueled by marching?
Whatever resistance this brace induces would easily be made up by weight-savings.
@JacquesAss: DARPA has been doing similar stuff, but they've done more work with energy generated from heels in a footstep (too much gets wasted), and backpack bouncing up and down (unit was too heavy). This gadget appears to be the Baby Bear of the human kinetic energy harvesting world.
Combo this with a solar charger and we're set.
hey... howabout a combo cigarette holder/lighter with an embeded whizzer propellor that charges the unit with evey puff, saving tons of propane every year!
Additionally with non-tobacco sources you could reverse it for a puff-powered cannon.
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