IIT Indore has made significant strides in sustainable energy solutions with the successful delivery of 10 pairs of Tribo-Electric Nanogenerator (TENG) based shoe sole energy harvesting units to the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), part of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. This achievement marks a notable advancement in integrating green energy technologies with sophisticated tracking systems.
Innovative Technology and Military Applications
The shoes developed under the expert leadership of Prof. I. A. Palani from IIT Indore, are designed to capture energy generated from human motion. This energy is then used to power electronic devices, making the shoes a groundbreaking addition to energy harvesting technology. Prof. Suhas Joshi, Director of IIT Indore, highlighted the technology’s military applications, noting its potential to enhance real-time location tracking for military personnel. This innovation improves safety, coordination, and operational efficiency, supporting essential GPS and RFID systems with a self-sustaining energy source.
Details of the TENG-Powered Shoes
Prof. Palani explained that the TENG system in these shoes uses advanced tribo-pair materials, Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) and Aluminium, to generate power with each step. This energy is stored in a central device within the shoe sole, providing a consistent power supply for small electronic circuits. The shoes also incorporate sophisticated tracking technologies, including RFID with a 50-meter range and a GPS module for accurate, real-time location tracking.
Expanding Applications Beyond the Military
While the TENG-powered shoes have significant military potential, their benefits extend to civilian and industrial sectors as well. For families with elderly members, especially those with conditions like Alzheimer’s, the shoes offer reliable location tracking, providing peace of mind. Parents can track their children’s movements throughout the school day, and schools can use RFID technology for accurate attendance management. In industrial environments, the shoes aid in attendance tracking and worker monitoring.
Potential in Sports and Outdoor Activities
The athletic industry can leverage these shoes to analyse foot movements, enhancing performance and training techniques. Additionally, for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts, the shoes offer dependable tracking during expeditions, with their self-powered GPS feature ensuring safety and effective navigation.
IIT Indore’s TENG-powered shoe soles represent a significant step forward in energy harvesting and tracking technology, with wide-ranging applications that highlight the university’s role in advancing both defence and civilian innovations.
