Four enterprising Harvard University students have come up with a brilliant way of using a soccer ball as an energy source. Grouped together because of their experience in the developing world and with global health, the team of four women designed a product called the “s0ccket” in engineering science class.
While the sOccket is being used for a great game of soccer, it captures the energy from physical impact that’s normally lost to the environment. When the soccer ball is kicked, thrown and bounced, it stores that energy to be used later.
The potential for a device like this is huge. The sOccket is specifically designed for use in resource-poor settings where access to electrical grids is limited. A couple of hours of playtime, for example, could generate enough energy to charge a cellphone.
However, they’re still in the prototype stages. Last summer, the engineers of the innovative ball piloted a youth program in several areas of Durban, South Africa and, more recently, they conducted a study of soccer play in households in Nairobi, Kenya. Once the design is finalized and perfected, they plan to develop a high-end sOccket for purchase in North America and Europe. Let the games begin, generating some fun and energy!
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