SRI International Uses Novel Electroadhesion Technology to Develop Safer Ladders

MENLO PARK, Calif., November 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development institute, has received a contract from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop a prototype device that will enhance extension ladder safety and stability. The device will use electroadhesion, an electrically controllable adhesion technology, invented and developed at SRI. Every year people suffer from falls and injuries due to a ladder that has slipped because of insufficient traction to the floor or wall.

"Ladder slips account for more than one third of all ladder related fall incidents," said Peter Simeonov, Ph.D., Safety Engineer at NIOSH. "In 2008, work related falls from ladders resulted in approximately 116 fatalities and an estimated 17,540 injuries. Applying electroadhesion technology to ladders has a good potential to improve their stability on a variety of materials with smooth, rough, and dusty surfaces. In addition, devices using electroadhesion can be compact, lightweight, and inexpensive to make."

SRI researchers are exploring several options for using electroadhesion to enhance ladder safety. In the second phase of the project, which will be supported by the NIOSH award, researchers will improve the durability, size, and shape of the prototype device to make it more commercially viable. As part of the development work, engineers will incorporate automatic activation of the electroadhesion technology so that it acts as a safety feature when needed, and allows for quick and easy attachment to any extension ladder.

"Electroadhesion provides a means to electrically attach a ladder to a variety of building surfaces using considerable force, thereby providing increased traction and the resistance to slip," said Harsha Prahlad, Ph.D., a senior mechanical engineer at SRI. "By using electroadhesion, the prototype device will create a holding force between the end of the ladder and the surface against which it is leaning, which could be a floor or a wall."

SRI and NIOSH demonstrated the electroadhesion technology for ladder safety and presented a co-authored research paper at the International Conference on Falls Prevention and Protection (ICFPP), May 19, 2010 in Morgantown, West Virginia. The experiments outlined in the paper showed that integrating electroadhesion pads into an extension ladder helped secure it in place and reduced the risk of slipping.

SRI is actively exploring the use of other applications where traction enhancement using electroadhesion could provide unique safety benefits. The institute is currently working with government agencies, commercial companies and investors to transition electroadhesion and its various applications into the marketplace through licenses, product sales and other forms of investment.

For more information about SRI's electroadhesion technology, visit:  http://www.sri.com/rd/electroadhesion.html

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. SRI, which was founded by Stanford University as Stanford Research Institute in 1946 and became independent in 1970, has been meeting the strategic needs of clients and partners for more than 60 years. Perhaps best known for its invention of the computer mouse and interactive computing, SRI has also been responsible for major advances in networking and communications, robotics, drug discovery and development, advanced materials, atmospheric research, education research, economic development, national security, and more. The nonprofit institute performs sponsored research and development for government agencies, businesses, and foundations. SRI also licenses its technologies, forms strategic alliances, and creates spin-off companies. In 2009, SRI's consolidated revenues, including its wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, Sarnoff Corporation, were approximately $470 million. Sarnoff Corporation, a leader in vision, video, and semiconductor innovations, will be fully integrated into SRI effective January 1, 2011.

SOURCE SRI International