That really is power walking: US Marines to trial 'battery pants' that charge as they march

The US Marines are testing radical new pants that will give them 'power on the go'. Called PowerWalk, this light-weight, leg-mounted design harvests energy from the natural action of walking. 

Users can generate 10 to 12 watts while wearing the device and after an hour-long walk, they can create enough electricity to charge four smartphones.

PowerWalk is the brainchild of Canada-based Bionic Power, which developed the exoskeleton to help reduce the number of batteries soldiers need to carry on missions to provide more space for essential field gear.

'A soldier typically carries 16-20lbs in batteries on a 72-hour mission,' says Noel Soto, U.S. Army Systems Engineer at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.

'If a soldier can generate power with wearable energy-harvesting devices, it means we can not only reduce the weight on his or her back, we also minimize the unit's reliance on field resupply, making it possible for us to extend the duration and effectiveness of a mission.'

A gearbox transforms the knee's rotational speed to a higher speed for efficient power generation and a generator converts the mechanical power into electricity.

Then a 'state-of-the-art power-conversion' circuit converts the electricity for battery charging which gives proves the charge for Li-ion or NiMh batteries.

Resources[Daily Mail] 

Army to roll out better body armor, combat shirt in 2019

In 2019 the Army expects to roll out a new, lighter body armor system. The armor will provide at least as much protection as today's system, but with more comfort, and greater flexibility to adjust based on the mission, Army officials said.

The Torso and Extremities Protection, or TEP, program cleared the engineering and development phases last summer and will move into a few years of limited production and testing. During that time and beyond, technology advances may be integrated.

Already, improved ballistics materials have allowed the Army to cut the weight of TEP when compared to the Army’s current heavy-duty option, the Improved Outer Tactical Vest. The IOTV, when loaded with heavy plates, weighs about 31 pounds, while a comparable TEP system checks in at about 23 pounds, or 26 percent lighter.

“That’s the main mantra of this program: to be the next generation of body armor at a lighter weight,” said Lt. Col. Kathy Brown, the program manager for Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment at Program Executive Office Soldier.

Brown said the Army pushed with industry to reduce weight while meeting future threats. In addition, the ability to add and subtract different elements and plate inserts in the vest is a real "highlight," Brown said. .In addition to TEP, the Army is developing new body armor plates and a new head protection system.

The Army's new Ballistic Combat Shirt was designed to improve comfort. (Photo: Photo: Courtesy PEO Soldier)

Soldier feedback has already played a major role in the development of TEP, Brown said. Trials by soldiers at three different installations, as well as by Marines and special operations units, provided design advice and feedback. Brown said that ultimately helped produce a system earning a 95 percent positive feedback.

“One great aspect of the Soldier Protection System is we really listened to the voice of the customer, the soldier,” Brown said. “Based on feedback from the soldier we were able to make design changes.”

Resource[USA Today]