Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025

Experiments on Ultrasonic Lubrication Using a Piezoelectrically-assisted Tribometer and Optical Profilometer
Published on: September 28, 2015
Roadbed tribological energy harvester
Pengfei Ji1,2, Jing Wen3, Xiaobo Gao1,2
1Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, P. R. China.
None:
Roadbed tribological energy (RTE) is a promising recoverable resource with an estimated potential on the terawatt scale, generated annually by the interaction between tires and road surfaces. However, RTE remains underutilized due to the lack of effective energy harvesting technologies that can address its high-entropy characteristics. Here, we present a revolutionary harvester formed by a freestanding layer triboelectric nanogenerator array embedded in the road. The harvester effectively converts low-grade vibratory RTE into electrical energy. It demonstrates the potential to achieve a peak power of 16.409 milliwatts and an average power of 2.2 milliwatts from a compact 78-square centimeter road area under a single tire impact, with a triboelectric conversion efficiency of 11.723%. In addition, we developed a self-powered intelligent and connected transportation system (SP-ICTS), integrating a five-in-one harvesting array. Experimental findings show that the system can meet the SP-ICTS's electricity requirements along a 1-kilometer segment with a 50-meter harvester.
Related Concept Videos
Design of Transmission Shafts
Rolling Resistance: Problem Solving
Mechanical Efficiency of Real Machines
However, in reality, no machine can be truly ideal, and all of them experience some...
Rolling Resistance
For instance, imagine a hard cylinder rolling on a comparatively soft surface. The cylinder's weight compresses the surface beneath it. As the cylinder moves, the material in front of it slows down...
Static and Kinetic Frictional Force
However, if two systems are in contact and are stationary relative to one...
Kinetic Friction

