Soldier Systems Technology Roadmap

Power/Energy/Sustainability Workshop September 21-22-23, 2009 Vancouver, B.C.

ENERGY HARVESTING
Dr. Max Donelan, CSO

Human power is an attractive energy source

Specific Energy Batteries Gases Foods Lithium-Ion Automobile Fats 0.29 MJ/kg 45 MJ/kg 38 MJ/kg

Human power is an attractive energy source

Power output, horsepower

Power output, watts

Duration, minutes

(Wilkie, 1960)

Human power is an attractive energy source

Limitations Dedicated attention Increase in effort

Overview of the State of the Art of Energy Harvesting Technologies

Lightning Packs Energy Harvesting Backpack (16 W)

Self-winding Wristwatch (5 W)

SRI Shoe Energy Harvesting Shoe (400 mW)

What is currently being done in Canada

What is currently being done in Canada

Bionic Energy Harvester 1.2 kg total (0.6 kg per leg) Comfortable 5-7 Watts without effort >10 Watts with effort Generative Braking SmartGen Power & Control Module intermittent & variable power input efficiently charge Li-ion or NiMH
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Linking the Technology to the Dismounted Soldier: the Importance of Energy Harvesting Mission duration and range Weight Logistics (shift to rechargeable batteries) Cost

Linking the Technology to the Dismounted Soldier: the Importance of Energy Harvesting
Assumptions 10 Watts during walking (Bionic Power) 6 hours walking per day (Canadian Military) 200 mission days per year $1,870 per kWh (DARPA) Conclusions 60 W hr of energy produced per day Battery load reduced by 0.6 kg per day $22,000 saving per year

Constraints: What Needs to be Considered in a Soldier-Level Application of Energy Harvesting

Soldier Comfort (includes device weight, resistance to walking, tissue wear) Solider Performance Mission Scenario (i.e. walking duration) Device Power Output Soldier Power Requirements

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The Vision for the Next 5 to 7 Years for Harvesting Technology Development
Bionic Powers Development Path Bi-directional Energy Harvesting (2009) Human Factors Testing (early 2010) Ruggedization & Field Trials (2010) Militarization & Volume Production (2011) Additional R&D Custom Generator Design Algorithm Development Integration with Clothing Ergonomic Benefits
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Dr. Max Donelan, CSO

max.donelan@bionic-power.com

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