November 1, 2006
Shoe that recharges your cellphone battery canned because of 9/11
The Age has published an article on how we could use our feet (and other parts of your body) to harvest energy and power wearable devices, such as cell phones, displays, laptops and MP3 players. An earlier idea to incorporate a mini piezo generator into footware was abandoned after the 9/11 attacks - “anyone wearing electric shoes would look like a bomber”.
(Piezo electricity is created by subjecting certain crystals to mechanical stress. Electric lighters and gas ovens use piezo electricity)
Apart from trying to use the forces generated when we walk, there is hope that energy can be harvested by incorporating piezo electric fibres into clothing. This could create electricity from fibre stretches caused by moving your arms and legs.
The article also talks about energy harvesting floors in public places, where pedestrians could be used to create 3-6 watts with each step.
People being provided with free electricity are getting paid to go to the gym and run kilometre after kilometre on a treadmill, wouldn’t that be nice…
[source: The Age]