Researchers create a leg brace that can power an artificial heart by walking

Artificial organs are an incredible area of innovation, but one thing that's always been a problem is where they get the power to run from? A team of students from Rice University called "Farmers" are developing a leg brace that could generate energy straight to an artificial heart using a modified leg brace with a motor on the joint.

In this multi-year project, previous versions were formed of a pedal attached to the sole of the shoe, but the brace was opted for simply because it generates more power and its "comfortable enough to wear for long periods," according to their main tester.

At the moment, the technology can charge a lithium-ion battery, and can't power an implantable medical device. But the Farmers hope that future iterations will take advantage of wireless electricity transmission to power the likes of artificial hearts.

Simply fascinating.