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ME (Motion in Electricity) Wheel
We propose the ME (Motion in Electricity) Wheel as a vector for vastly improving the efficiency thus the marketability of hybrid automobiles through the utilization of piezoelectricity, power generated from motion, to generate electricity for the car when
Team Concept
We propose the ME (Motion in Electricity) Wheel, a creation that utilizes the
piezoelectric material, fluoropolymer polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), a plastic film with
unique plasticity, durability, and electric properties, compounded with conductive copper plates.
In essence, the ME Wheel comprises a normal automobile wheel and upon the tire-wheel
interface, the rim is cylindrically fabricated with layers of PVDF, encapsulated in sheets of
copper. Naturally, compression and vibration resulting from vehicle movement will generate
electric current from the PVDF, whose power will be conducted by the copper plates. Copper
wiring will stem from the plates to the hybrid car battery, where current flow is abetted by
copper reinforcement about the axles of the wheel. Thus, vehicle movement would be able to
constantly keep the battery powered for maneuvering and operation.
The ME Wheel offers distinct advantages in marketability, environmental awareness, and
efficiency. Piezoelectricity would allow for not merely virtually perpetual motion, without the
inconvenience or expenses of gasoline, but likewise facilitate American energy independence
and a remarkable undercutting in automobile carbon emissions. As with any novel product, costs
are a pivotal consideration—fortunately, the production and installation of four ME Wheels can
be achieved under a budget of merely $1500.
Nevertheless, as a manufacturer of ME Wheels, subsequent to the obtaining of a patent,
marketing and investment opportunities are multifarious and limitless. Exploiting primarily the
automobile industry, ME Wheels can be sold in bulk qualities, so that future hybrid vehicles are
created with piezoelectric properties. Likewise, ME Wheels can be sold to present hybrid
owners, as well as tire companies who wish to offer a piezoelectric option.
ME Wheels testify to a multifaceted solution in alternative energy—they offer powerful
marketability, affordability and practicality in implementation, and fulfillment of an
independently efficient yet carbon-free power source for the automobile industry.
Team Description
Team Energy Electrified was brought together by a goal: to improve the world through alternative energy. With that, we started to brainstorm unique sources of energy production then coming up with our current product: the ME wheel.
The team was formed during a summer program in Long Island, New York, where the team members worked together to conduct research on methane hydrates, another possible alternative energy source.
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Wenting Cao
Darren Huang Benjamin Parnes Advisor Ms. Rebecca Isseroff |
Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway
635 Central Drive
Cedarhurst
New York 11516
Herricks High School
100 Shelter Rock Road
New Hyde Park
New York 11040
Mission San Jose High School
41717 Palm Avenue
Fremont
California 94538
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Development Plan
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Overview of Plan:
Our team will create a prototype of the ME wheel to test the amount of electricity capable of being generated by the product by connecting the wheel to a rotating axis that simulates a car's tire rotation. This will cost $2800 for materials, construction,
Total Cost of the Plan:
2800
Team Video
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Feedback
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To address some of the questions raised in the Feedback section.
The ME wheel system is to be implemented on the surface of the rim of the wheel. Thus, it will not be worn down like the spikes on the wheel nor will you get electricuted when it is raining. This placement of the system ensures compression of the system from the weight of the car without the wear and tear of it being directly in contact with the tire.
The ME wheel is not a solution for perpetual motion. We propose that there will be enough energy generated to drastically increase the efficiency of a hybrid vehicle so that with regular charging of the battery (much less often than fully electric vehicles), the car can run without gasoline.
Though we have not directly tested how much energy can come from piezoelectricity, we have reasonable evidence and preceding projects by reputed companies and schools that indicate that a considerable amount of energy can be generated from electricity. Examples include the piezoelectric highway roads that are currently being tested, which are designed to generate energy as cars pass over and compress the piezoelectric material to generate energy.
Lastly, as to pricing issues, we have estimated that the attachment of the system would market for $1600, which, with the government tax pardon of $2000 for hybrid cars as well as the less money spent on gasoline due to increased efficiency, would make a hybrid ME wheel enhanced car market at $4600 more expensive than the regular automobile. On the other hand, the average hybrid car is $5000 more expensive. According to our calculations, the ME automobile will break even in less than 5 years and start saving you money as will as saving the environment.
In terms of production, we expect the cost of raw materials to drop even more as we begin to mass produce the system. Our current goal is to sign a contract with a major automobile company so that the ME wheel process can be integrated into their assembly system, thus decreasing the cost for manufacturing and the total consumer price as well as increasing publicity.
I hope that this response has addressed most of the questions posted. Thank you so much for being interested in our design concept.
-Team Energy Electrified
Drew Dignaw
Scott James raises some very, very important points.
Unless you address them, this project does not seem feasible.
Drew Dignaw
"Piezoelectricity would allow for not merely virtually perpetual motion, without the inconvenience or expenses of gasoline"
I don't understand what your are getting at. Where exactly do you put this thing? Around the insides of the tire?
How much energy do you expect get out this thing?
Your "virtually perpetual motion" raises a red flag and makes people instantly suspcious
Edward Wang
Your idea would never work, I'm sorry. The energy generated from the PVDF is incredibly small, even without calculating the centrifugal? force.
Also,
"Thus, vehicle movement would be able to constantly keep the battery powered for maneuvering and operation. The ME Wheel offers distinct advantages in marketability, environmental awareness, and efficiency. Piezoelectricity would allow for not merely virtually perpetual motion"
You can't be serious. Violating the laws of thermodynamics won't win you any prizes by judges.
I like your logo though. Take out the bevel and emboss, or at least don't use the default settings.
S S
cool
T. Burgundy
First of all, this seems to break some laws in basic Physics and Thermodynamics. Not to be pessimistic, but perpetual motion is extremely hard to even get close to, let alone achieve. Another issue is the fact that these materials seem like they would be expensive. Are they? Last one: If, for example, I live in Seattle. It rains alot here, and I go for a drive. If I hit a puddle, whoops! Everyone around my car gets electrocuted. How will you prevent this?
Joshua Neubert
Hey Team, it sounds like you've gotten a good start on the development plan, it would be great to see a real prototype to test how much energy can be created. We'd love to hear more about your process in the blog posts. Let us know a little about the team. We're looking forward to seeing you in April.
Byron Turgundy
Hiya, folks! B. Turgundy here and I just wanna say you're doing a bang-up job! I don't know what Mr. Burgundy beneath me is thinking, but where I come from, we Turgundy's appreciate a little hard work and innovative thought! Anywho, just keep your heads up and don't listen to a word any haters or Burgundys say.
Nancy Conrad
Sounds very interesting. I look forward to seeing you in April and wish you good luck.
James Scott
EDIT: The below should state "alternating current", not direct current.
Scott James
So how is this device any better than an electric motor?
The energy required to move a car has to come from somewhere. Hybrid vehicles increase the energy efficiency of the car by storing some energy lost in braking and idling, and allowing smaller motors to be used. They use a combined motor/generator to do this.
Your design proposes to create a direct electric current and use it to power the vehicle, ignoring that the energy has to come from somewhere. The tires will not reduce friction. They require deformation in order to produce electricity, and so will actually increase friction. Though some of that energy will be recovered, some will not, decreasing the total energy efficiency of the system.
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Competition is Nearing
2009-03-30 19:47:33
Sorry, we have not been able to update the blog on an ongoing basis. Nevertheless, the team feels it might be beneficial for a slight update. We are…
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