Designing a Hybrid 3D-Printed Piezoelectric Wheel for Energy Harvesting and Storage in Electric Vehicles

Overview

This research project targets the recent issue of limited energy storage and consumption efficiency in electric vehicles (EVs), which hinders their wider adoption. T o tackle this challenge, the study aims to create a system that captures energy from the interaction between the wheels and the road as the vehicle is in motion, supplying it to the batteries and other electrical components. T o achieve this, the piezoelectric effect is utilized by integrating piezoelectric materials, namely Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT), into a 3D-printed wheel design. This 3D printing technique enables the customization of the flexible Piezo Wheel to maximize the harvested power output. An EV prototype with a Piezo Wheel (70mm diameter and 25mm width) using eight piezoelectric discs connected in series is constructed and found to generate a peak-to-peak voltage of 13.5 Volts at a speed of 3 meters/second. Additionally, experiments analyzing the effects of wheel speed, disc surface area, and force applied on the device output show positive correlations for each. The real-world feasibility of the system is demonstrated by powering the LED taillights of the prototype and measuring the time it takes to charge a 22uF capacitor up to 5 Volts. These results provide an opportunity to design flexible, complex, and efficient structures that can be incorporated into the wheels of EVs to enhance their energy efficiency. ALASKA

Competition history

• JSHS 2023 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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