Assessment of Ride Comfort and Braking Performance Using Energy-Harvesting Shock Absorber

A comprehensive review of energy harvesting technologies for sustainable electric vehicles

This review paper provides a comprehensive examination of energy harvesting technologies tailored for electric vehicles (EVs). Against the backdrop of the automotive industry's rapid evolution towards electrification and sustainability, the paper explores a diverse range of techniques. The analysis encompasses the strengths, weaknesses, applicability in various scenarios, and potential implications for the future of EVs. A key finding of the review highlights regenerative braking as a pivotal and highly efficient method for energy recovery, particularly in urban settings. In addition to extending battery life, regenerative braking significantly boosts energy efficiency of EVs. The paper also delves into the challenges associated with integrated solar energy systems, emphasizing issues related to efficiency and weather dependency. Kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) are discussed for their substantial power boost during acceleration in both motorsports and road cars. Additionally, the review explores regenerative shock absorbers, which capture energy from suspension movement, enhancing ride comfort and increasing vehicle energy economy, especially on uneven terrain. The piezoelectric system, though intriguing, is found to have low power output from mechanical vibration, prompting further exploration for integration into EVs. However, complexities and cost considerations arise in their integration with the vehicle's suspension system.

Energy Harvesting on Airport Pavements: State-of-the-Art

Society is dependent on transport systems, not only to meet its daily needs with short journeys but also to meet their arising needs with longer distances. The ability to connect remote regions and the trip duration makes the aircraft a mode of transport for distant travel. However, it impacts greenhouse gas production. The survey for new ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions emerges from the contribution of energy harvesting systems. Energy harvesting technology has been presenting prosperous solutions and applications in road pavements. Due to the similarity between road pavements, this paper addresses state-of-the-art technologies for airport pavements and road pavements, aiming to analyze which ones can be developed for application in airport pavements. An analysis is presented not only for the density, efficiency, and energy generation, but also for each energy harvesting technology’s implementation and technology readiness level. The photovoltaic technology, to be incorporated into airport pavements, will allow sustainable energy generation dependent on the airport location. The hydraulic/pneumatic technology, to be incorporated into the airport pavements, will generate electrical energy based on aircraft movement.