TYRELESS - Integrated piezoelectric Energy Harvesting systems for smart truck tyre monitoring - # 73627-494298

The purpose of the project is to develop an integrated TPMS transducer system. This includes; a) kinetic harvesting element (based on PVDF and/or ceramic materials), b) energy storage elements (supercapacitors) and integration with c) power management and sensing devices. The active harvesting element is to be developed by Prof. Chris Bowen at Bath University and will be coupled to a rectification/power management chip (supplied by Linear Technologies) which connects to an NXP wireless ARM Cortex M4 processor. An early stage prototype would consist of an EH/S element alongside a pressure sensing MCU and RfID circuit capable of relaying data remotely without connection to the tyre. The work would include fabrication and testing to understand the power that can be harvested, the operating temperature window and the lifetime of the EH/S transducer. Robust integration of the components is always a challenge for demanding environments, and so CPI will look into the best laminating/joining technologies to maximise performances.

Environmental return: Reduced fuel consumption will reduce greenhouse gases and particulates from diesel engines. Potential savings of ~20% are expected in well-maintained vehicles. Reduction in replacement of tyres due to premature failure and therefore added environmental benefits of more sustained use of resources. Reduction in road damage and use of resources in road repair. Feedback of information to Bridgestone to improve quality and reliability of tyres and the monitoring of new designs and manufacturing processes in real environments to reduce wastage and raw materials. As each tyre will be individually tagged the traceability of the tyre through production, use, retreading and recovery can be monitored. This will give information on the benefits of changes to development processes over time, capability of re-treading companies. Correctly inflated tyres show a fuel saving of 6% in European vehicles Over/underinflated tyres are dangerous (588 deaths in 2012) causing pressure to the road surface leading to increased repairs.Environmental return: Reduced fuel consumption will reduce greenhouse gases and particulates from diesel engines. Potential savings of ~20% are expected in well-maintained vehicles. Reduction in replacement of tyres due to premature failure and therefore added environmental benefits of more sustained use of resources.