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Brits March In With Foot-Generated Power

Basement sensors could power thousands of bulbs an hour

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Jun 8, 2008 5:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – Crowds may soon be kicking up clean energy in England. Designed to generate power from footsteps, "heel strike" generators are ready to be installed in shopping malls and subways—and power thousands of light bulbs. "It works by using the pressure of feet on the floor to compress pads underneath," the London Times explains, "driving fluid through mini-turbines that then generate electricity, which is stored in a battery."

Based on generators in US soldiers' boots, the devices will likely get a trial run at Spinnaker Tower, a tourist hotspot in Portsmouth. Bridges, stadiums, and anywhere people congregate are not far behind. Smaller versions can have domestic uses too, experts say, like firing up your iPod.

Pads beneath trains could also help generate electricity to power station lightbulbs.
Pads beneath trains could also help generate electricity to power station lightbulbs.   (Shutterstock)
British engineers have designed a new technology that transforms the energy of passerby's footsteps into electricity.
British engineers have designed a new technology that transforms the energy of passerby's footsteps into electricity.   (Shutterstock)
New technology may allow countries to install pads under streets to harness the energy of foosteps to make electricity.
New technology may allow countries to install pads under streets to harness the energy of foosteps to make electricity.   (Associated Press)
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