Outspoken Science

Now Soldiers Will Also Produce Charge While Marching

Posted on August 1, 2009 with 6 Comments

According to a research going on in Leeds, it is possible to capture the kinetic energy produced by soldiers while marching. This energy then can be used to power their equipments. This technology which can convert foot-power into battery power will also reduce the weight of soldiers by 10 Kg.

How the system will work?

The device used for this will use tech ceramics and crystals as piezoelectric transducers to convert mechanical stress to electric charge. Their charge is modified every time soldiers flex their knees or ankles, and the difference in potential energy will be converted into electrical energy. According to official announcements by project team:

“The project will consider the optimum placement of the ‘energy harvesting’ devices, including the back-pack straps and around the knee to provide active support, capturing energy but also cushioning the impact when legs are bent, joints compressed or their boots strike the ground.”

Cost of Project:

This project will take around 1 Million GBP (1.64 Million USD) to conduct. The project team consists of scientists from Bristol, Liverpool, Sheffield, Southampton and Cranfield universities. The project is funded by Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

Man Behind Project:

Professor Andrew Bell who is Director of Institute of Material Research at Leeds University is heading the project. In his words:

“As well as the obvious green issue of using so many batteries, it could also reduce a soldier’s pack weight by around 15 per cent. And this technology could potentially have lots of applications in civvy street too”.

We hope so!

Major Benefits from this Invention:

This project is designed to help the soldiers on duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. A regular infantryman on 6-hour petrol carries a backpack that consists of items such as torches, radios, water, communication systems and kits for electric offset measures. This weighs about 75 Kg but if the new equipments are added then it can reduce the weight by 10 Kg. This equipment will also act as a shock-absorber, when placed on soles of boot. It will also reduce the impact on joints on long marches and thus reduces stress on legs.

Major Problems in Project Idea:

Although this type of energy harvesting idea has been used in cars in which braking force is stored and then used to drive vehicle further. But as long as capturing energy from walking of people is concerned it is little bit difficult because highly flexible and strong materials are needed for this and everyone has a different walking pattern.

But according to professor Bell they will surely succeed in this effort due to the holistic approach they are taking over this. He says:

“By using the latest materials and electronics combined with taking into account personal differences in walking style we are confident we can make this work without adding to the burden or fatigue of the soldier wearing the device.”

Actually this project is a part of a bigger research called “Battery Free Soldiers,” which includes research on methods to convert and store energy from other sources such as solar energy and body heat.

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