Bionic Power - generate electricity while you walk!
Talk about the ultimate green power! - Harness your own energy to generate electricity that can charge your cell phone, ipod and even your flashlight while on a hike. The possibilities are endless............
Scientists from University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh and the Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, have come together to create a knee brace device that can harness the energy that normally dissipates or is wasted, when we walk.
The device captures the energy of a person's legs as it swings forward during a step. As the knee straightens and just before the foot hits the ground, the gears in the device spin, which in turn drive the electric generator. Max Donelon, a professor at the Simon Fraser University who spearheaded this research, says that electricity can be generated with just normal walking - very little extra effort is required.
The brace is still not ready for the general public. For one it is too heavy and therefore not generating electricity very efficiently. Also, there are further tests that need to be done. A company called "Bionic Power" has been formed to develop this product for the commercial market.
Once ready, the brace could quickly become very popular. Researchers believe that the army will be one of the first adopters (users). Currently, soldiers have to carry a lot of disposable batteries in their backpacks, which is not only expensive but also very heavy. This limits them from carrying other essentials like food and water. Other possible users would be people who use artificial limbs that have batteries. Finally of course, there are the long-distance runners who can charge their ipod on the "run" - literally!
What a great invention!
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43 Comments
- BiusTuesday, February 26, 2019 at 11:42 amwow
- sb737Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 4:41 pminteresting
- sb737Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 4:44 pmcool
- epicdude100Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 8:46 pmi got the it to read the article to me it sounds creepy😱
- zephyr_zingMonday, December 11, 2017 at 10:39 amAnother awesomeness created again! go electricity!
- jmj361345Friday, April 24, 2015 at 10:31 amso cool love this article
- I LOVE TMNTFriday, April 24, 2015 at 8:08 ami love the bionic leg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Amazing Kid Friday, April 24, 2015 at 8:03 amI love Bionics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is so cool
- Amazing Kid Friday, April 24, 2015 at 8:02 amAWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- I AM STINKYFriday, April 17, 2015 at 5:41 pmBY THE WAY, WHY DO PEOPLE OWN SO MANY PHONES?
- I AM STINKYFriday, April 17, 2015 at 5:40 pmI THINK I SHOULD GET ONE OF THOSE, EXEPT I DON'T OWN A PHONE...