There are many innovations that have been developed to power mobile devices while on the go. These range from the obvious idea of mini solar panels to a device that charges cellular phones using wi-fi signals, which may eventually replace conventional phone batteries altogether. However, these are dependent on the presence of external forces. A new idea being developed by an assistant professor from Louisiana Tech University, places that dependence on the user.

Dr. Ville Kaajakari, an assistant professor of electrical engineering at Louisiana Tech, has developed a revolutionary way to power MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems) devices that convert piezoelectric charge into usable voltage. This voltage can be used to directly power a mobile device, or to charge a device’s battery.

MEMS, also known as Micromachines or Micro Systems technology, are made up of components between one to 100 micrometres in size. The technology and its capabilities have been popularized by spy movies and science fiction novels, but much of the technology portrayed in these genres actually already exists.

In fact, there’s a national online publication dedicated to the MEMS industry called MEMS Investor Journal, in which Dr. Kaajakari’s technology is being featured. The new technology in question harvests energy for MEMS devices using a metalized version of conventional ceramic transducers.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has researched the applications of piezoelectrics in the boots of soldiers. However, the ceramics used had adverse effects on the physical conditions of its users. The polymer-based generator developed by Dr. Kaajakari is soft and robust, allowing it to blend in with the filling of athletic shoes.

At the moment, Dr. Kaajakari’s technology can power GPS and RF trackers for hikers, but ultimately, the goal of the project is to be able to power mobile devices such as cellular phones and music players.

Any effort to relieve conventional power plants from some of their burden is a good effort. With a low enough price tag, this technology could also be used by blue collar workers who spend much of their time on their feet.

View a previously written post by Mouli Cohen about technology.