A photo from open sources Many automotive manufacturers pneumatic tires have long wanted to create a wheel with lower torque resistance to significantly reduce gas mileage vehicle. Largest in the world to produce Goodyear tires Tire and Rubber Company “decided to go the other way and start develop tires that produce electrical energy.
At the heart of the work of innovative tires, called “BH-03”, there will be regenerative braking that allows capture the energy of the wheels and return it to the battery with subsequent repetition of the cycle. To implement this idea, engineers Goodyear considered two options. The first was operation of piezoelectricity, or rather an electronic charge, arising from friction or compression of materials. For tires such movements are just characteristic. Similar quality piezoelectric materials used, for example, in gas lighters.
The second theory is based on thermoelectricity, namely the occurrence of voltage at temperature differences. Tires have property to heat from rotation and solar radiation. To use this option, you need materials like tin selenide or bismuth telluride. The combination with rubber at the same time remains mandatory, to the detriment of longevity and elasticity of tires no innovation should act.
Nevertheless, the Americans have not yet further theoretical ideas advanced. At the moment, the company’s engineers are selecting necessary materials and make assumptions about how similar tires will affect speed, maneuverability and safety a car.
In Japan, they learned how to transmit electricity over a distance.
