Human = Battery?

So I think by now we're all familiar with this whole energy crisis thing. One day, we'll run out of bubblin' crude if today's trends continue. Really, that applies to all fossil fuels; coal, natural gas, whatever. And just like anyone familiar with SimCity, I'm thinking we're still a little far away from that magic fusion power plant that generates an insane amount of power with no pollution.

We've all become accustomed to hearing about the usual alternative energy sources, primarily wind, solar, and nuclear. But wind and solar power are dependent on nature, which in most locales is hardly reliable. Nuclear power plants aren't necessarily great either, given their propensity to turn squirrels radioactive, like that one Simpsons episode. For most people, the list of viable alternative energy sources ends here.

But according to this article on CNN, one major energy source is becoming more and more popular: the human body. In fact, humans are being used to supply all needed electricity to run a gym in Hong Kong and a dance club in London. Let me stop you before you think people are unconsciously held captive in orange tubs of goo while machines harness human body heat, a la The Matrix. No, think more in terms of kinetic energy. Think about it: the energy you expend to live a normal day could be somehow captured and converted into electricity. That's how hybrid cars work, right? Driver applies brakes, grinding of brakes against the wheel produces energy, car converts energy to electricity, which then powers the car.

This whole human energy thing sounds great, but how could we possibly harvest the energy generated by everyday motion? I for one think we as a society are intelligent and creative enough, especially after reading how that aforementioned dance club works. "Club Surya [utilizes] crystals in blocks under the dance-floor that rub together with the assistance of dancers on the floor. This generates an electrical charge which is then fed into batteries. A second method using wheels to generate energy under a slightly moving floor will be used at the soon-to-be-opened Club Watt. This model involves coils and magnets which move under the dance-floor to create a charge."

Who knows...maybe one day these methods can at least contribute to our energy crisis. It looks like the geniuses at ESPN have already figured this one out, too: