Research Taps Rotating Tire for Electricity

The research found that by installing a so-called energy harvester inside a tire, static electricity can be converted to clean energy.

Alan Harman, Correspondent

August 12, 2019

1 Min Read
tirepix (002)
Sumitomo Rubber technology generates electric power from rotation of tire.

Japan’s Sumitomo Rubber and Kansai University develop technology to generate electric power from the rotation of a tire. 

The research, led by Prof. Hiroshi Tani of Kansai University, found that by installing an energy harvester inside a tire, static electricity can be converted to clean energy. 

This energy harvester takes advantage of a type of static electricity called frictional charging, formed each time a tire’s footprint deforms as it rotates along the road.  

Sumitomo says the technology holds great potential for practical applications such as a power source for many automotive digital tools. 

Sumitomo says it is confident its latest research will lead to practical applications for this new technology as a power source for sensors used in tire-pressure monitoring systems and other automotive devices, contributing to the creation of services using digital tools without the need for batteries. 

Sumitomo is the world’s fifth-largest tire manufacturer with 11 global production facilities. 

About the Author

Alan Harman

Correspondent, WardsAuto

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