Feb 10 2008
It Keeps Going, Going Green
Like the Energizer Bunny, a very cool idea about using our natural movements to create energy. Turns out every step you take, every move you make, can be turned into electricity. Now this is nothing new, watches have benefited from this idea for some time. But, now, our movements may power a lot more.
In fact, in its current form, the technology can produce around seven watts, enough to power almost a dozen cell phones. The same way a hybrid car produces energy while stopping, these knee pads (with hydraulic technology) use the bending of our joints. When we walk our body performs a delicate balancing act. Quads and hamstrings work together to stabilize the leg. Now imagine that there’s an “air pump” type contraption that aids the knee in slowing, the final kick in our step.
In this scenario, producing energy doesn’t need to burn extra calories, it “parasites” the energy we’d normally lose walking. The article appeared in this week’s Economist, citing the journal Science. Imagine walking to work and recharging your phone at the same time, maybe you can power a fan on a hot summer day, or convert that electricity to heated gloves during the winter? Whatever you choose, this version of going green keeps going and going and going.