Gait analysis is a valuable diagnostic tool used by medical, biomedical, and fitness
professionals alike to prescribe treatments and prevent injuries. Formal gait analysis currently
relies on expensive equipment, however, the adaptation of piezoelectric nano composite foam
into shoe insoles poses a new, inexpensive alternative. Preliminary tests have shown proof of
concept–that the metal-particle, polymer matrix composites can be molded into insoles to
supply voltage readings from different foam regions under the foot. These voltage readings are
then recorded over wireless networks.
Currently, experiments are underway to determine the cause of the foam’s electrical
properties and the direction and nature of voltage travel within the samples. This will enable
accurate, position sensitive measuring of gait characteristics. Larger, cylindrical samples are
prepared with wires embedded at sixteen key points. Analysis of voltage measurements taken
from all sixteen points during a single impact seem to indicate that regions of the foam
undergoing greater deformation generate higher voltages. This work lays the foundation for
providing detailed, real-time, contour maps of energy dispersion through the foot during a
normal gait using inexpensive nano composite sensors.