You as a Power Plant?

Last week was the Super Bowl - obviously a HUGE use of power. I thought it was great that some energy decided to sponsor people riding bikes to power a half an hour of the pre-game show. I found it ironic that the half an hour was such a big deal, especially because the pre-game show started at 9am and the game started at 6:30. Anyway, in Sunday's Washington Post there was a fascinating article about how an individual can actually produce energy.

We can do it by just walking with a knee-mounted device that captures energy at the end of a walker's stride using the same type of technology that hybrid cars use the power generated by braking. More surprising, I thought, was that with the device on both legs a user was able to power 10 cellphones - at the same time - and twice the energy needed to power a basic computer. One volunteer even walked fast enough to get 13 watts - enough electricity to run a basic water-filtration system.

I would use it for my cellphone or iPod or laptop, or any other electronic device that can use it. Plus, think of the endless possibilities for developing nations. Just think - we could solve the obesity epidemic and the energy crisis at the same time! Well, it would be a start anyway.

Would you use it and what other applications can you think of? Also, we were encountering problems with the old blog template. Does this new one seem suitable?