American scientists have invented a backpack that generates electricity, ensuring that rescue workers, explorers, and soldiers have a sufficient power supply for their devices while on duty.
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Backpack Design |
According to biologist Lawrence Rome from the University of Pennsylvania, who leads the research team, the idea for this backpack originated from a request by the U.S. Navy’s research office: to generate electricity from body movement. At that time, American soldiers in Afghanistan had to carry heavy backpacks weighing 36 kg that contained Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, night vision goggles, and other equipment requiring 9 kg of batteries.
Weighing between 20 and 38 kg, the backpack can generate over 7 watts of power, enough to simultaneously power a range of electronic devices including mobile phones, MP3 players, laptops, night vision goggles, and water purification devices. When a person walks while carrying a fully loaded backpack, their hips move up and down about 5-7 cm with each step. Concurrently, the backpack also moves up and down by a similar distance. The motion of the cargo inside the backpack rotates a device connected to a tiny generator at the top of the backpack, generating electricity.
The amount of electricity generated depends on the weight of the cargo in the backpack and the walking speed of the user. Experimental results show that the maximum power the backpack can generate is 7.4 watts, while devices like mobile phones require less than 1 watt. According to mechanical engineer Arthur Kuo from the University of Michigan, the backpack is easy to carry and more convenient than traditional backpacks.
Minh Sơn (According to National Geographic)
