For the gen next soldier

Coimbatore, Sept 1 (UNI) The 21st century battles will be fought with technology.

Perhaps, taking a cue from this, experts at the PSG College of Technology here have come out with some smart fatigues for soldiers on the battlefront...those which can generate power for communication gadgets.

The Department of Textiles has developed smart pants and shoes fixed with 'power generators' to produce energy for communication devices replacing conventional batteries.

Talking to UNI here today, Department Professors Ashok Kumar and A Venkatachalam, who mentored the project, claimed the invention would ease the burden of soliders on the warfront who usually have to carry 12 kg batteries for communication devices.

A fixed magnet and induction coil, stitched into the pants, will generate power from the body movements.

This will be used to recharge the batteries in the shoes from where the output pins have been provided for charging the communication devices including mobile phones.

These lightweight batteries can produce upto nine volts of power with further scope to enhance it to 12 volts.

The whole device is attached in such a manner that it would in no way deter the free movements of the armed personnel.

The system, working on the induction principle, is free from the danger of exploding even when heavy force is applied, Mr Kumar said.

The invention can also be used by sportspersons for monitoring blood pressure and pulse rate while running.

The device has been sent to the DRDO for approval and supply to the armed forces, they said.

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