{"id":21117,"date":"2017-07-19T16:12:20","date_gmt":"2017-07-19T20:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/?p=21117"},"modified":"2019-03-12T13:02:06","modified_gmt":"2019-03-12T17:02:06","slug":"georgia-tech-emory-institute-stairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/georgia-tech-emory-institute-stairs\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy-Recycling Device Make Climbing Stairs Easier"},"content":{"rendered":"

Researchers at Georgia Tech and Emory University have developed a device that reuses the energy generated from descending stairs to make climbing stairs easier. <\/span><\/p>\n

The device provides a practical solution for millions of people who find it difficult to navigate stairs for various reasons, including <\/span>degenerative joint disease<\/span><\/a>, injury, and surgery. <\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>new device<\/span><\/a>, interactive energy-recycling assistive stairs that store the energy generated by a user during descent and return energy during ascent, will make it much easier for people who need help walking up and down the stairs. The device can simply be placed on top of existing stairs, so there\u2019s no need for costly renovations. <\/span><\/p>\n

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The research team is headed by <\/span>Karen Liu<\/span><\/a>, an associate professor in the <\/span>School of Interactive Computing<\/span><\/a> at Georgia Tech, and <\/span>Lena Ting<\/span><\/a>, a professor of biomedical engineering in the <\/span>Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The full study is <\/span>published<\/span><\/a> in PLOS ONE, a science journal.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does the device work?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The prototype device has two stairs, each loaded with springs and equipped with pressure sensors. The device\u2019s stair treads move up and down the height of one step. When a user walks down the stairs, the tread is even with the floor, and the step lowers as it accepts the user\u2019s weight, causing springs attached to the treads to be compressed and saving energy generated through impact. After it is lowered, the tread is latched in place until someone walks up the stairs. This function reduces braking forces at the user\u2019s ankle by 26 percent. <\/span><\/p>\n

The stored energy is released to the user when walking up the stairs. When the stair senses someone walking up, the tread latch is released so that it lifts up the back leg. This function reduces stress on the user\u2019s knee by about 37%, as compared to conventional stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n