to look like it, says the man who invented the carbon fiber Flex-Foot prosthetic. Now he's working to bring the price down to make them affordable worldwide.

  In South Africa, observes Van Phillips, carbon graphite prosthetic feet are now unremarkable, thanks to the high profile accomplishments of Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius. He’s hoping other runners from other nations can do the same for their countries through participation in Para-Olympics that take place after the Summer Games every four years.

Phillips is also working on a new invention for amputees, one that would radiacally change the other end of the prosthetic, where the device and the person’s flesh connect.