A group of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers and a collaborator from China have developed a nanogenerator that harvests energy from a car’s rolling tire friction.
An innovative method of reusing energy, the nanogenerator ultimately could provide automobile manufacturers a new way to squeeze greater efficiency out of their vehicles.
The researchers reported their development, which is the first of its kind, in a paper published May 6, 2015, in the journal Nano Energy.
Xudong Wang, the Harvey D. Spangler fellow and an associate professor of materials science and engineering at UW-Madison, and his PhD student Yanchao Mao have been working on this device for about a year.
The nanogenerator relies on the triboelectric effect to harness energy from the changing electric potential between the pavement and a vehicle’s wheels. The triboelectric effect is the electric charge that results from the contact or rubbing together of two dissimilar objects.
Wang says the nanogenerator provides an excellent way to take advantage of energy that is usually lost due to friction.
“The friction between the tire and the ground consumes about 10 percent of a vehicle’s fuel,” he says. “That energy is wasted. So if we can convert that energy, it could give us very good improvement in fuel efficiency.”
The nanogenerator relies on an electrode integrated into a segment of the tire. When this part of the tire surface comes into contact with the ground, the friction between those two surfaces ultimately produces an electrical charge-a type of contact electrification known as the triboelectric effect.
During initial trials, Wang and his colleagues used a toy car with LED lights to demonstrate the concept. They attached an electrode to the wheels of the car, and as it rolled across the ground, the LED lights flashed on and off. The movement of electrons caused by friction was able to generate enough energy to power the lights, supporting the idea that energy lost to friction can actually be collected and reused.
Read more: New nanogenerator harvests power from rolling tires
The Latest on: Power from rolling tires
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Power from rolling tires” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Power from rolling tires
- Turbo Wholesale Tires introduces Lexani Volt-EC EV tire at annual open houseon May 8, 2024 at 5:00 am
The open house also featured a trade show, a buyers event and dinner for dealers part of the Turbo Wholesale Tires group.
- Kumho’s EV tires are driving the future of EV tire performanceon May 7, 2024 at 11:31 am
The Majesty 9 Solus TA91 EV and Crugen HP71 EV feature important characteristics that EV tires require to last and perform.
- Top 11 Best Tire Sealants for Lawn Tractors in 2024on April 29, 2024 at 5:00 pm
It’s an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution that will keep your tires rolling smoothly for up ... the FlatOut Tire Sealant Outdoor Power Equipment Formula if you want to prevent ...
- IndyCar at Barber: Scott McLaughlin wins; Will Power second for Penske in wake of push to pass scandalon April 28, 2024 at 10:01 am
IndyCar disqualified McLaughlin and winner Josef Newgarden from the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg season opener after officials discovered both drivers illegally used push to pass during the ...
- Michelin and Porsche Drive Innovation Forward with Bespoke Tires for the New Electric Macanon April 27, 2024 at 5:28 am
Michelin and Porsche continue their longstanding partnership with the introduction of three tailored tire ranges for the all-electric Porsche Mac ...
- Woman captures video of tire rolling down US 131on April 25, 2024 at 8:33 pm
Molly Martinez and her boyfriend were driving down US 131 when they saw a tire come loose from a truck. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Thursday afternoon Molly Martinez and her boyfriend were driving down US ...
- Maxam rolling out TBR tire line in second half of 2024on April 25, 2024 at 3:32 pm
Maxam Tire North America Inc. is planning to roll out a line of radial truck/bus tires in the second half of 2024.
- Kumho Tire USA unveils two new replacement EV tireson April 18, 2024 at 6:14 am
The tires also offer reinforced structural rigidity throughout to help enhance vehicle stability, improve rolling-resistance performance to minimize power consumption and optimize the tire contact ...
- Best tire deals to shop this springon April 12, 2024 at 5:45 pm
These Goodyear tires offer a patented tread design that provides a comfortable and quiet ride. Their specially formulated rubber compound and tread features lower rolling resistance for eco ...
- This Avid Power portable tire inflator has returned to its lowest price in yearson April 11, 2024 at 8:23 am
There are all kinds of options for portable tire inflators, some of which you can read about here, but this one by Avid Power is always one of the Amazon best-sellers and it recently returned to ...
via Bing News