Topic: Regenerative shock absorbers?

[Nemesis]

Link to full article

If you had a GenShock, you may not mind those potholes in the road any longer because this new prototype shock actually harvests energy from bumps in the road to save on fuel. A team of students at MIT have invented a shock absorber that harnesses energy from small bumps in the road, generating electricity while it smooths the ride more effectively than conventional shocks. Senior Shakeel Avadhany and his teammates say they can produce up to a 10 percent improvement in overall vehicle fuel efficiency by using the regenerative shock absorbers. They also already have a lot of interest in their design, specifically the company that builds Humvees for the army are already planning to install them in its next version of the Humvee.

[Sirgod]

In their testing so far, the students found that in a 6-shock heavy truck, each shock absorber could generate up to an average of 1 kW on a standard road.

Pretty cool stuff.

Stephen

[Nemesis]

I just recalled that a couple of years ago I read about a system of converting vibration to electricity.   The goal in that case as I recall was reducing equipment noise with electrical power being a side effect rather than the goal.  Such a system might be useful in a vehicle as well.

[Sirgod]

Not sure if you caught it, But Capt. Mike had an interesting article on Hydraulic power http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163385227.0.html .

Might be able to assemble something ourselves based on all this new and exciting tech.

Stephen

[Nemesis]

I did see those links but only had a chance to glance at them. 

Anything that recovers waste energy is good.  If it also does something else like smooth out vibration or eliminate noise its even better. 

[NJAntman]

I need a pair of sneakers with piezo crystals imbedded in the sole to jolt me awake as I walk.