The U.S. soldiers carry a lot of load on their back, literally. On a typical
four-day mission, each soldier carries around 20-40 pounds of batteries that
support their high-tech gear.
The Department of Defense is offering $1 million as prize money to inventors
to come out with a solution that would lessen this load. The entry that can
demonstrate a wearable electric power system that can provide 96 hours of
equipment operation at 8.8 pounds or less, will take first place and the $1
million. Systems coming in second and third place will receive $500,000 and
$250,000. The contest, announced July 5, will take place in the fall of 2008. It
is open to individuals and teams and the DDR&E hopes to attract entrepreneurs as
well as traditional defense contractors.
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