What does it take to get you to walk more? Would it get you on your feet to know each step you take will power your cell phone? That may soon be a possibility. InStepNanoPower is developing a shoe with a device in the sole that captures the energy created with each step. This energy is typically lost as heat in our tracks as we keep walking and creating more energy. The high-power energy harvester is capable of converting mechanical energy to electrical power providing up to 20 Watts. The mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy by a novel microfluidic device through the interaction of thousands of liquid microdroplets. This is done with a nanostructured substrate. The device, energy harvester and energy storage unit, can be incorporated into footwear.
InStepNanoPower is able to provide the generated energy to power mobile devices such as smartphones. This can be done without connecting wires or modifying any mobile device. The company also plans to provide an integrated Wi-Fi hot sport to act as a “middleman” between mobile device and wireless network. Basically boosting the signal so the user can reach the cell tower in remote locations.
The company identifies market applications for civilian and military segments. We see this device being useful for anybody on his feet. Travel is a clear application as tourists tend to walk great distances and not have access to power to charge a cell phone. Additionally, more and more travel relies on smartphones for maps and navigation as well as looking up local sites of interest.
InStepNanoPower
[Via GizMag: In-shoe device harvests energy created by walking]