Skip to main content

Knee Brace Could Power Mobile Electronics

Knee Brace Could Power Mobile Electronics

We’ve seen energy-harvesting devices for the human body before, from run-of-the-mill kinetic watches to backpacks that use a bouncing 50-pound load to produce power, but a knee brace that generates electricity from walking is something entirely new. Researchers at the University of Michigan recently developed the device as a proof of concept, but in the future it could be used to charge everything from laptops to cell phones without ever needing to plug in to the grid.

The brace captures energy that would normally go into “braking” the human body during ordinary walking, and converts it into electricity. While the aforementioned gadgets have managed to pull off similar feats before, the team’s real accomplishment was the efficiency the knee brace operates with. According to the researchers, the device actually generates more than a watt of electricity from less than a watt of extra metabolic power – the extra energy a human body puts into walking with the device strapped on. This is possible due to the knee’s role as a shock absorber: since a certain amount of metabolic energy is wasted in ordinary walking to soak up impact, allowing the device to harvest that energy means some “free” electricity is harvested without a corresponding cost in extra human power. Ordinary human-powered generators, like hand-crank generators, require an average of 6.4 watts of metabolic power to produce just one watt of electricity.

“The prototype device is bulky and heavy, and it does affect the wearer just to carry. But the energy generation part itself has very little effect on the wearer, whether it is turned on or not,” said Arthur Kuo, a mechanical engineering professor who helped develop the brace. “We hope to improve the device so that it is easier to carry, and to retain the energy-harvesting capabilities.”

Besides holding some potential for consumer use, the team envisions hikers and soldiers drawing power from a more refined version of the device, along with those who need to power implanted medical devices like pacemakers.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Mokey
As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…
This 300W portable power station is 65% off at Walmart
iFanze 300W Portable Power Station

 

Outdoor adventurers and thrill seekers pay attention because we've found a great deal for you. Head over to Walmart to get 65% off the iFanze 300W Portable Power Station that is about to become your new best friend. Originally priced at $260, you can now get this device for $140 that is ideal for campers, hikers and anyone who likes to take their RV on a road trip. Time is running out so make sure you take advantage of this sale ASAP.

Read more
This EcoFlow portable power station is on sale — $140 off
EcoFlow River portable power station on a white background.

Campers, boaters and tailgaters alike, pay attention because we have a great deal for you. The EcoFlow RIVER 600 Portable Power Station is on sale right now at Best Buy for just $209. That means you can get $140 off this portable device that can be used for camping, tailgating, fishing, boating or even as a backup generator in case of an unfortunate power outage. This offer is only available for a limited time, so be sure to grab this power station before time runs out.

Why you should buy the EcoFlow RIVER 600 Portable Power Station
Whether you are preparing for a camping excursion or worried about losing power during snow or wind storms, this portable power station will help you get through whatever situation comes your way. It will help you prepare for the unexpected by powering all your appliances in less than two hours. With three 600W AC outlets and 288Wh capacity, this power station can charge up to 10 devices at the same time and will provide enough power to run essential devices for hours. It features X-Boost technology that can power 80% of essential home appliances and devices, particularly those within 1200W.

Read more
The Anker Solix F3800 power station is one of the most powerful on display at CES 2024
The Anker Solix F3800 charging an EV.

Anker showed off several products at CES 2024, but few were as compelling as the Solix F3800 Portable Power Station. With a staggering 6,000W output (and the option to chain two together for 12,000W), it's shaping up to be a portable power station that can tackle every task around your home, garage, or campsite.

The Solix F3800 is designed as an all-encompassing solution for portable power. Its output allows it to power RVs, directly charge EVs, and run home appliances like your microwave and refrigerator. Along with its 6,000W output, it benefits from up to a 53.8kwh capacity; in other words, it should have more than enough juice to run your gadgets before it needs to recharge itself.

Read more