Wearable power

I wouldn't normally be promoting something from the Department of Defense, but this could have some great spinoffs for the outdoors industry, for those of us who rely on battery power for some of our related gear.

The DoD's recently announced a wearable power competition - a $1million prize for the whizzo who can lighten the load US soldiers carry on their backs - largely due to the high-tech gear that uses batteries - which can weigh anywhere from 9 to 45kgs (20 to 100lbs). Ouch.

The whole winning prototype must weigh 4 kgs (8.8lbs) or less and produce 20 watts average power for 4 days or 96 hours. It has to be wearable, like a vest, and will undergo rigorous testing.

Interested? Here are the competition rules.