Achilles' new heel : Shock absorbing, gait assisting and energy harvesting
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Related Research Unit(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Article number | 108293 |
Journal / Publication | Nano Energy |
Volume | 109 |
Online published | 18 Feb 2023 |
Publication status | Published - May 2023 |
Link(s)
Abstract
Humans have evolved to walk highly efficiently to conserve energy, making it challenging to develop assistive and energy-harvesting devices for walking. Herein, we report a heel pad-based assistance device for walking that not only optimizes the energetic economy of walking and prevents plantar fasciitis but also harvests energy from heel impact. Our footwear-embedded device improves the walking economy by offering shock absorption and walking assistance, while simultaneously providing energy-harvesting functions. We demonstrate that the use of our device reduces the activation of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles during the foot strike by 5.8 ± 1.0 % and 4.1 ± 0.6 %, respectively. The collisional energy conserved from the impact at the touchdown is transformed into 3.8 ± 0.3 watts of electrical power (mean ± SEM). Compared with walking in normal shoes, the energy savings with the device imply that walking endurance could be increased by as much as 10 % without extra effort from the wearer. Our findings demonstrate the potential of the heel pad-based device that enhances the energy economy of walking and human bipedal locomotion. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd.
Research Area(s)
- Energy harvesting, Energy conversion, Biomechanical energy transfer, Wearable device, Human walking, GENERATING ELECTRICITY, WALKING, DIAGNOSIS, PLANTAR, COST, MASS, ACCELEROMETER, ASSISTANCE, MECHANICS, STIFFNESS
Citation Format(s)
Achilles' new heel: Shock absorbing, gait assisting and energy harvesting. / Pan, Qiqi; Long, Zhihe; Zhang, Zhuomin et al.
In: Nano Energy, Vol. 109, 108293, 05.2023.
In: Nano Energy, Vol. 109, 108293, 05.2023.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review