Researchers place the nano-generator on the wheel of a toy car
The internal combustion engine has been criticized for its lower energy conversion efficiency and scientists have been trying to remedy the situation. Recently, scientists from both China and the United States jointly developed a nano-generator that can harvest energy from the friction between the wheels of a car and the ground. It is expected to recover energy that was wasted in the past. Allegedly, the device can improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles by at least 10%. Related papers published in the recently published "nano-energy" magazine.
Wang Xudong, associate professor of materials and engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his doctoral student Maoyan Mao have conducted a one-year study on this device. In their view, this is a completely new approach to energy reuse, and nano-generators will ultimately provide automakers an innovative way to get better energy efficiency for their vehicles.
Friction effect is the phenomenon of two different objects due to contact and friction generated by the phenomenon. The nano-generator relies on this triboelectric effect to obtain electrical energy from changes in the potential difference between the road surface and the wheel of the vehicle. Wang Xudong said: "nano-generator provides a good way to collect those usually wasted energy.Friction between the tire and the ground consumes about 10% of vehicle fuel.These energy is almost wasted So, if we can convert it back into electricity again, we can drastically improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles. "
It is understood that this nano-generator rely on integrated into the wheel of the segmented electrode to generate electricity. When this part of the tire surface and the road contact, the friction between the two surfaces due to the triboelectric effect of charge. In his first experiment, Wang Xudong and his colleagues used toy cars and LED LEDs to prove the concept. They attach the electrodes to the wheels of the toy car and light up the LED lights as the toy car travels on the ground. Experiments have shown that the electric energy generated by the friction-induced electron motion is sufficient to drive the LED lamp and that these energies are completely collected and reused.
The researchers also determined that the efficiency of this frictional power generation is closely related to the weight and speed of the car. Depending on the vehicle and its driving conditions, there is a corresponding change in power generation, but it is generally estimated that such a device will increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicle by at least 10%.
Wang Xudong said: "There is a huge potential for such energy and we think it is far-reaching for the full utilization of these energies."