Recycling Energy to Restore Impaired Ankle Function during Human Walking

A research team from the Univertity of Michigan developed a microprocessor-controlled artificial foot that intelligently captures some of the energy that is normally dissipated by the leg, transfering energy into powering the foot's next step.

In this prosthetic foot technology, the wasted walking energy is used to enhance the power of ankle push-off. The dissipated energy is naturally captured by the foot. Using a microcontroller, the energy returns to the system at the right time.

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http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0009307