Sumitomo Tire Captures Static Electricity

Japan’s Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. has developed a concept tire designed to capture and repurpose electricity generated by a tire’s rotation.

The triboelectric effect, also known as frictional charging, causes static electricity to form as a tire's footprint deforms on the road. This energy is captured by a “harvester” that Sumitomo developed in conjunction with researchers from Kansai University in Osaka, Japan.

The harvester consists of a charging film positioned on the inside surface of the tire. Captured electricity is transferred to a conductive layer.

Sumitomo notes that the small amount of electricity produced this way could be used to help power sensors—including those used in tire pressure monitoring systems—and vehicle accessories. The tiremaker didn’t say how much the technology would cost or indicate when it could be commercialized.  

Goodyear and other companies have touted similar concepts in recent years.