Generating power at the flex of a leg

Generating power at the flex of a leg

Sports stars are often described as having "electrifying pace" - and if Kenneth Teo's invention proves a success, they may literally have that.

The engineering undergraduate has created a knee brace that generates electricity every time the user flexes a leg. "We wanted to create a truly mobile energy source," said Mr Teo, who is in his second year at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

He and two fellow students built the gadget during a 16-week internship at engineering firm ST Kinetics. At the moment, it generates only enough energy to power small LED lights. But Mr Francis Yap, the project supervisor at ST Kinetics, said it was "very good progress". He added: "We definitely see potential in it. We are now working on it to make it more commercially viable."

The gadget won second place in the Young Engineers Competition at last month's World Engineering Summit here. It was the only local entry in the top three of the international category.

Mr Teo's project was one of more than 120 showcased at the university's three-day Learning Celebration Carnival, which began on Wednesday.

The event featured what students had been doing during internships at businesses, including industrial developer JTC Corporation and Brazilian aircraft company Embraer.

Mr Doron Teh, 22, travelled to Cambodia to work with the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation, which is involved in landmine disposal.

He worked on creating 3-D printed models as training aids for landmine clearance.

Mr Teh said: "It was about more than just me."

linettel@sph.com.sg


Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.