Mobile phones could be powered by walking?

New research suggests that people may soon be able to charge their mobile phones simply by walking.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin claim to have invented a small device that generates electricity from human motion.

"Humans, generally speaking, are very powerful energy-producing machines," Professor Tom Krupenkin said, according to BBC News. "While sprinting, a person can produce as much as a kilowatt of power."

The invention is placed inside a shoe and could theoretically generate enough energy to power a standard smartphone.

"What's been missing is the power in the watts range," explained one of Krupenkin's colleagues. "That's the power range needed for portable electronics."

Despite the apparent breakthrough, the researchers have yet to decide on an effective method of charging the phone up once enough power has been collected.


/Digital Spy/