A march of soldiers is a show of power that is designed to either rattle adversaries or reassure allies. In a project at the University of Leeds, U.K., scientists have recently found a way to take this show of power and convert it into usable energy.

Although the project includes solar and body heat-harvesting
technologies, the main focus has been on the kinetic energy created by marching soldiers. The scientists plan to
create a system that includes knee wraps and backpack straps with crystals and high-tech ceramic materials that act as piezoelectric transducers. The piezoelectric components work like regenerative braking in today's hybrid cars and are responsible for converting mechanical energy into an electric charge. The electric charge can then be used to power soldiers gear such as flashlights and communications equipment.

The University of Leeds scientists estimate that soldiers' creating their own electrical charge would lessen the need for batteries, thereby reducing the weight of their backpacks by up to 15% and eliminate the evironmental hazard of disposable batteries. The knee wrap would also act as a support, reducing the impact on the soldiers' joints when their boots hit the ground.

The march of invention has now led to an invention for the march. This is just one bold idea that clothes mankind with powers of which a century ago imagination could not have dreamt.