As a mechanical engineering major at Cornell University, Olivia Tolliver '27 is making strides - literally and figuratively - in sustainable technology. A member of the Human Augmentation in Physical and Perceptual Interactions Lab, Tolliver is helping to develop a novel system that captures the energy of human footsteps and converts it into usable electricity.
A system that turns footsteps into electricity embeds a compact air pump into a shoe to compress and direct airflow into a storage pouch, which then releases that air to drive a miniature turbine.
The system embeds a compact air pump into a shoe to compress and direct airflow into a storage pouch, which then releases that air to drive a miniature wind turbine. Tolliver's work involves designing a method and hardware to harness the air and direct it to the turbine efficiently.
Inside the turbine, magnets are arranged in a specific pattern along with coils of wire. When the turbine spins, the motion of the magnets relative to the coils generates electricity. The electricity is routed to a capacitor, which is worn by the user and connected directly to a device that needs power.
The goal of the project is to create a system that can be embedded in a shoe and create enough electricity to power low-energy devices like a portable EKG that can record heart activity for 24 or even 48 hours.
Tolliver is captivated by how seemingly minor design choices can have dramatic impacts on system performance.
Olivia Tolliver '27, a mechanical and aerospace engineering major, is an undergraduate researcher in the Human Augmentation in Physical and Perceptual Interactions Lab.
"Testing various pouch geometries and volumes allowed me to observe their effects on air pressure and flow to the turbine," Tolliver said. Through iterative experimentation and analysis, she developed a deeper understanding of how material properties and design affect system behavior.
Beyond technical challenges, what has made the strongest impression on Tolliver is the community she's found in the lab. Working alongside Cara Nunez, assistant professor in Cornell's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Ph.D. students and other undergraduates, has sharpened Tolliver's communication skills and broadened her understanding of how collaborative research functions.
"Although I entered with an understanding of the importance of communication and teamwork, working in a research environment deepened that awareness," Tolliver said. "I learned to navigate complex technical discussions, contribute meaningfully to group problem solving, and exchange ideas with individuals at various stages of their academic journeys."
Her experience as an undergraduate researcher has inspired Tolliver to consider graduate school and further research opportunities. In the near-term, she hopes to continue refining the technology she has been working on.
