MIT students develop shocks that generate electricity
Students at MIT have created a new set of shocks, called GenShock, that generate electricity as they smooth out the vehicle's ride. We first heard of such a system from MIT in late 2007; now the team has apparently refined the shocks to the point that major automakers have taken notice. The biggest group that's looking into the technology, though, may be the U.S. military. AM General has provided a military-spec HUMMER to the students and is reportedly working on the next-generation of the soldier carrier. Might the GenShocks actually make it to the HUMMER V.2? The technology works by capturing some of the energy lost through kinetic motion as the shocks move up and down in relation to the surface of the road (or the lack of it, in some cases). MIT claims that its shocks actually perform better than conventional dampers, even while improving overall vehicle efficiency.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GoodCheer 12:29PM (2/12/2009)
The trick with this technology, which is fundamentally really really simple, is navigating the mine-field of patents that have existed for decades.
The biggest loophole I found when I was thinking about it is that all patents refer to 'motor vehicles'. Putting this kind of system on a bike would therefore be permissible, and on a bike every last Watt is precious. The captured energy could go into lights or propulsion (if other necessary systems were in place) as necessary.
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Tim 12:38PM (2/12/2009)
Cool! I have a flashlight like that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanically_powered_flashlight
How much fuel will it save? How much will it add to the cost of a car?
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Rob 1:44PM (2/13/2009)
I hope VOLT team at GM wil take it into consideration designing their car - it is perfect for plug in vehicles. Will add to regenerative breaking.
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dave 2:30PM (2/15/2009)
Bose dun' it:
http://www.wired.com/cars/energy/news/2005/11/69692
Heard about this years ago, but rarely mentioned. Talks about it half-way through this article
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Occam's Beard 7:23PM (2/13/2009)
The trick with this technology, which is fundamentally really really simple, is navigating the mine-field of patents that have existed for decades.
You are aware that patents expire, right? So a minefield of given patents cannot exist for "decades."
Sheesh.
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