Researchers at theChinese Academy of Scienceshave 3D printed a novel nanogenerator with the potential to enable the self-powered monitoring of autonomous vehicles.
由其创建者称为“ BS-Teng”，这是一个微型的70mm摩擦电纳米生成器（TENG）具有独特的轴承结构（BS）设计，使其可以作为机械能量收割机和自给自足的传感设备。
每个超紧凑型BS-Teng能够以高达1,500 rpm的速度运行，可以输出0.96 MW的峰值输出，根据团队的说法，该峰值足以使50 LED供电，或者启用AI-drived的热和速度监测车辆，以“为智能汽车驾驶系统提供新的机会”的方式。
环保自动驾驶汽车
随着人工智能和商用车之间的融合不断提高步伐，使它们可持续发展的问题在同时发展。这是因为这种高级处理系统的集成可能会使自动驾驶汽车更安全，更可靠，但它们通常也依赖于使用不可再生的电池和电源节点。
许多现有系统也使用需要定期耗时充电的单元，这些电池需要集成到复杂的网络中，从而有效地增加了其汽车制造商的总体开发成本和生产成本。
As an alternative to conventional batteries, it is possible to harness and deploy the rotational mechanical energy generated via vehicle turning and braking, to power internal automotive monitoring systems. In fact, thefirst nanogenerator是15年前由一支团队创建的Georgia Institute of Technology, which has since gone on to develop a TENG capable of capturing wind and kinetic energy.
However, the Chinese researchers now claim that the limited energy conversion of existing technologies, in addition to the demands of AI vehicles, is preventing their wider adoption. To get around this, the scientists say they’ve devised a new harvesting approach, which enables the use of previously-wasted energy to power a sensing system that allows for “the safer driving of automated vehicles.”
Energy harnessing with the ‘BS-TENG’
为了克服现有滕斯的缺点，中国科学家回到了绘图板上，采用3D打印来创建一个全新的设计。他们想出的是由固定在丙烯酸板上的转子和定子组成的纳米发育仪，前者带有印刷框架，其中PTFE辊交替旋转以连接电极并产生静电电荷。
Due to its experimental nature, the prototype rotor only had a height of 3.6mm, so to make room for the device’s 6mm rollers, the researchers fused two rotors with an acrylic tube to form a ‘double-BS-TENG.’ During testing, the resulting nanogenerator proved capable of a high and stable output at 100 to 1,500 rpm, thus the team theorized it could be used for “mechanical energy harvesting by wheel rotation.”
To put this hypothesis into practise, the scientists then integrated their device into a self-powered vehicle monitoring or ‘SPVM’ system, comprising four double-BS-TENGs, five gears and two acrylic plates. Initial tests showed the nanogenerators were able to power a thermal sensor, that could not only be operated continuously, but programmed to sound an ‘alarm’ when a certain temperature was reached.
Further assessments also showed that the SPVM can be used to track servometer-simulated wheel speed simultaneously, showcasing its multifunctional end-use capabilities. With further R&D, the team therefore believe the BS-TENG has the potential to be a “breakthrough in rotational energy harvesting,” that provides a blueprint for improving both the efficiency of nanogenerators, and safety of AI-driven vehicles.
该团队在论文中总结道：“可以将集成的BS-Teng网络用作旋转能量收割机和用于车辆温度和实时速度监测的自动高速传感系统。”“此外，结果证实，自动车速监控的准确性可能会达到99％以上，这表明其设计对实际应用是可靠的。”
3D打印的电动汽车应用程序
As impressive as the Chinese scientists’ BS-TENG is, it’s far from the first time 3D printing has been used to create energy-generating or storage devices, and the technology is now increasingly attracting the attention of the automotive industry.
就在去年，英国的3D打印机制造商Photocentric建立专用电池3D打印部门, with which it has committed to developing more eco-friendly and efficient cells. Although the firm has yet to reveal how these revised batteries will work, or its plans for bringing them to market, it’s thought that they’re specifically being designed to address the electronic vehicle (EV) sector.
这Sakuu Corporationhas also dedicated itself to the development of optimized Solid State Batteries (SSBs) for automotive purposes, and it unveiled itsnew Sakuu AM Platformin May 2021. With its upgraded 3D printer, the firm aims to reduce the cost, scale and consistency roadblocks to introducing such SSBs to market, and ultimately drive the wider adoption of sustainably-powered transport.
Elsewhere, in 3D printing tests similar to those carried out on the BS-TENG, a team at theUlsan National Institute of Science and Technologyhave devised a 3D printable ink for producingunique power-generating tubes。In practise, the researchers believe such tubing could form the basis of new thermoelectric generators, capable of capturing and reusing automotive exhaust gases.
研究人员的发现在其论文中详细介绍了“3D打印的轴承结构底压纳米发电机，用于智能车辆监测”，由Jin Yang，Yanshuo Sun，Jianjun Zhang，Baodong Chen和Zhong Lin Wang合着。
To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, don’t forget to subscribe to the3D打印行业通讯or follow us onTwitteror liking our page onFacebook。
为了深入研究添加剂制造，您现在可以订阅我们的雷电竞充值Youtubechannel, featuring discussion, debriefs, and shots of 3D printing in-action.
您是否正在寻找添加剂制造业的工作？雷电竞充值访问3D打印作业for a selection of roles in the industry.
特色图像显示了带有Part-3D打印自动传感器系统的自动驾驶汽车的模型。图片通过细胞报告物理科学杂志。
