Research at the University of Auckland on converting human energy into battery power :
Technology created by researchers from The Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), which makes it possible to convert human movement into battery power, could in the future enable people to charge their electronic devices while they walk.
This is because artificial muscle generator technology developed by the ABI’s Biomimetics Lab can scavenge latent energy from human motion to directly power devices and put power where it's needed.
Dr Tom McKay, Dr Ben O’Brien, Dr Todd Gisby, Associate Professor Iain Anderson and other researchers from the Lab, have been working on the artificial muscle generator technology for the past six years.
Artificial muscle, the main component of the generator, is made of a rubbery material that has mechanical properties similar to human muscle and is capable of generating electricity when stretched.
Dr O’Brien says: “The advantage that we have over our competitors is in the small and soft circuitry that we have developed which controls the artificial muscle. Previously, artificial muscle generators were seen as unpractical to power portable electronic devices because they required bulky, rigid and expensive external electronics.”
