Technology

Could Your Own Footsteps Soon Power Your Smartphone?

New technology could eventually convert your footsteps into energy for your smartphone. Though the use of kinetic energy to produce power is not a new concept, a couple engineers believe they have created a more effective and less cumbersome way of harnessing this energy than previous technology.

According to New Scientist, the energy lost as heat while you walk is enough to power a light bulb. Tom Krupenkin and Ashley Taylor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, converted the energy of moving liquid into electrical current:

They experimented with a range of liquids but eventually settled on a liquid metal alloy called Galinstan that is used in thermometers, as it has similar properties to mercury but is nontoxic.

A reverse electrowetting device placed in a shoe could produce between 1 and 10 watts, hundreds of times as much as piezoelectric energy harvesters, which generate tens of milliwatts when compressed. “The amount of energy you can produce is very large in comparison with other methods for energy harvesting,” says Krupenkin.

Technology Harvests More Energy From Walking Than Other Devices

This shoe insert converts energy from walking into electricity that could power electronic devices. (Photo: InStep NanoPower)

The BBC has more:

Although similar methods exist for low power electronics, up until now there was no practical mechanical to electrical conversion technology that could provide such high levels of output, Krupenkin explained.

“What’s been missing is the power in the watts range,” Taylor said.

InStep NanoPower, the company formed by Krupenkin and Taylor, is creating prototypes of these devices. Here’s how it works according to the university’s release:

Two small pouches are filled with a fluid that is designed using nanotechnology to generate an electrical current when compressed over and over again by the up and down motion of the foot.

. . .

During their research, they found that most of the battery power in a cellphone gets used up searching for and connecting to hot spots or the signals from cellphone towers. So the scientists incorporated a Wi-Fi hot spot transmitter into the harvester. The harvester, instead of the battery in the phone, powers the hot spot device.

“You cut the power requirements of your cellphone dramatically by doing this,” Krupenkin said. “Your cellphone battery will last 10 times longer.”

Once the technology is refined it could help power smartphones, GPS, equipment, night vision googles, you name it. The scientists see it as especially useful for military operations where plugs may be hard to come by.

The scientists said the technology is still years away from either military or commercial use. Nature Communications published a description of this new technology.

Comments (14)

  • Ialmostforgot
    Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:29am

    That thing looks really uncomfortable. Imagine walking on that all day. You think you feet ache now!
    It makes for a better cell phone connection, yeah, right! Its a tracking device! They know right where you stepped!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • RichEG
    Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:28am

    Ever get caught in a rain storm? Hope it has good insulation.

    Report Post » RichEG  
  • JOHNNYROTEN
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 10:50pm

    if it generates power when kicking bho in the ass……………then I will start selling tickets

    Report Post » JOHNNYROTEN  
  • bweez
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 10:30pm

    Hmmm… years to perfect? That’s good. Got me worried. I walk so little (disability) that my phone would NEVER be charged! lol!

    Report Post »  
  • Attention2Detail
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 5:49pm

    Sounds great, but they threw me with that whole hot-spot thing. The point is to have an internet connection not just a hot-spot connection. And if you’re powering the wifi anyway, why not send the power to the phone. Sounds like the scientists have a lot more tech smarts than common sense.

    Report Post » Attention2Detail  
  • southernORcobra
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 5:40pm

    What happens if your are stupid and walk into a fountain?

    Report Post »  
  • Codger
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 4:56pm

    Interesting concept but… hows that gonna work at the airport?

    Report Post » Codger  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 4:47pm

    “night vision googles”?
    What the hell is that?

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
    • rabblechat
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 5:01pm

      I don’t know, I didn’t realize that certain search engine queries required their own power source.
      I wonder what “Al Gore sucks” runs on? oh wait that one has got to be wind powered.

      Report Post » rabblechat  
    • quicker
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 6:49pm

      I`m waiting for them to make the first bean powered car,RIIIIIIIIIP.

      Report Post » quicker  
  • SafetyDame
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 4:45pm

    True, Gonzo. However, for those of us smartphone users who are runners and hikers–this could be awesome. Unfortunately, when it is ready for commercial use, it isn’t likely to be manufactured here.

    Report Post »  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on August 24, 2011 at 5:01pm

      This is really awesome – and for walkers or runner it would be a real save on batteries. It seems as if I am always charging my phone – I would go for this!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-1yu

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on August 24, 2011 at 4:19pm

    Most smartphone addicts don’t move all that much, except for their thumbs.

    Report Post » Gonzo  

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