Current-generating double layer shoe with a porous sole

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel shoe design that generates electrical current through a porous electrode and electrolytic liquid, converting mechanical walking motion into usable electrical energy.

Contribution

It presents a new principle and simple theory for a reverse electroactuator that produces current by pumping electrolytic liquid into porous electrodes during walking.

Findings

Peak current density of ~17 mA/cm² estimated.

Potential to generate 1.7 A at 0.65 W per shoe.

Device operates without hindering walking.

Abstract

We present a principle and a simple theory of a novel reverse electroactuator, in which the electrical current is generated by pumping of an electrolytic liquid into nonwetting pores of a polarized electrode. The theory establishes the relationship between the variation of external pressure and the electrical current. The effective current density is amplified by high porosity of the electrode. The suggested principle can be implemented into a design of a shoe which will be generating an AC current simply by walking. Estimates of typical parameters and operation regimes of such device suggest that one can easily generate a peak current density of ~17 mA/cm2. This would produce some 1.7 A from each shoe at 0.65 W average power density, without hampering walking.