Pop-Sci Core77 Design Challenge/ Description HUMAN POWERED 10/20/03

Description of Design

Bright walk, ...to illuminate your way. Description: Bright walk is a lifestyle shoe that serves to perform running and walking in the dark. It is a Human-powered lighting shoe based on piezo-electric sensors, and electroluminescent polymers. This concept is based on existing technologies. Besides its aesthetic contribution to the fashion scene (for including functional lighting), it addresses the added value of Safety for the runners. Description of the use of energy: 1. Piezo-electric sensors in the sole receive the impact from walking or running and convert that energy into electric energy. 2. The sensors from the sole transmit the impulses to the electroluminescent polymers (located in the rear and front ends of the shoe) via internal conductors. 3. This electroluminescent polymers, produce light under an electric stimulus and bright without generating as much heat as other light sources. Plus it is not a heavy material that can be easily integrated with the other applications in the shoe to be carried with no perception from the user. Sample scenario: Lola likes to practice running every evening at the park, after work. She can do it safely, since her pair of Bright-walk-running-shoes illuminate her way. They are powered by the energy she produces from the impact on every step.