A fun new technology that harvests power from a small generator
embedded in the sole of your shoe has been developed by Dr.
Ville Kaajakari at Louisiana Tech University (LTU). The
technology cannot power your house (yet), but it can be used for
a range of useful purposes. “This technology could benefit, for
example, hikers that need emergency location devices or
beacons,” said Kaajakari. “For more general use, you can use it
to power portable devices without wasteful batteries.”
Kaajakari’s breakthrough technology uses a low-cost polymer
transducer with metalized surfaces for electrical contact.
Conventionally, ceramic transducers would be used, but given
that they might not be comfortable or durable in the sole of
your shoe, Kaajakari went with this soft and robust alternative
that matches the properties of regular shoe fillings. Rather
than putting a heel shock absorber in, this is put in and will
supposedly create the same user experience (in other words, you
wouldn’t notice the difference). “Kaajakari’s i