Development of a myoelectric control system for a knee-mounted biomechanical energy harvester

我们的实验室开发了一种新的可穿戴技术，它可以从行走的自然运动中不显眼地产生可储存的电力。目前，该设备可以从每条腿上提取高达5W的电力，足以同时为10部手机供电。这个装置类似于一个矫形膝盖支架，当肌肉在减缓腿部运动时，它可以从步行者的步伐结束时收集能量。通过帮助身体为腿部减速，使用者的努力减少了，储存的能量被收集起来，就像混合动力汽车从刹车中回收能量一样。

Our lab has developed a new wearable technology that unobtrusively generates storable electricity from the natural motion of walking. Currently, the device can extract up to 5W of electricity from each leg - enough to simultaneously power ten mobile phones. The device, which resembles an orthopedic knee brace, harvests energy from the end of a walker's stride, when the muscles are working to slow the movement of the leg. By aiding the body in decelerating the leg, the effort of the user is decreased and storable energy is harvested in much the same way hybrid cars recycle energy from braking. Currently, the device uses knee-angle and speed of movement to determine at what point in the stride to harvest energy. However, we propose to control the device with the muscle activity of the user. Using electrode sensors that indicate when muscles are contracting, we can tap into the user's nervous system and naturally integrate our device and the user. We believe this control system will harvest more energy from the body, be more comfortable for the user, and be more adaptable to changing environments and movements. To develop the control system we must, i) determine the ideal muscles to use for device control, ii) determine the optimal times during a stride to harvest energy and how these times relate to muscle activity, iii) determine how the level of muscle activity should relate to the applied resistance of the device, and finally iv) assess the new muscle activity controlled device in terms of power generation, user acceptability, and adaptability. Our device has the potential to revolutionize the meaning of portable power. The applications for such a device are vast, from powering vital communication equipment for soldiers and rescue workers to powering medical devices such as drug-pumps and prostheses. The restricting weight and limited working time of battery power can be overcome by granting humans the ability to serve as their own renewable power source.