Vehicle tires experience continuous deformation cycles during normal driving, with vertical loads exceeding 3,000N and internal temperatures reaching 50-70°C. This mechanical and thermal energy, typically dissipated as heat and vibration, represents a significant untapped energy resource in modern vehicles.

The fundamental challenge lies in converting tire deformation and thermal gradients into usable electrical power while maintaining tire structural integrity and performance characteristics.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including piezoelectric systems embedded in tire walls, triboelectric generators activated by cavity deformation, thermoelectric elements that harvest thermal gradients, and electrostatic generation through specialized tire cords. These and other approaches focus on practical implementation strategies that can be integrated into existing tire manufacturing processes while meeting safety and durability requirements.

1. Self-Powered Hydrogen Generator with Integrated Mechanical-to-Electrical Energy Conversion for Electrolysis

H2GENERATION INC, 2025

A self-powered hydrogen generator that can produce hydrogen fuel from mechanical energy without requiring an external power source. The device uses internal electrical generation to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. It converts rotational energy into electrical energy to drive the electrolysis process. This allows the hydrogen generator to operate solely from mechanical input like a crankshaft or flywheel, without relying on external electrical power.

2. Vehicle Component Monitoring Using Embedded Carbonaceous Split-Ring Resonators with Electromagnetic Response and Triboelectric Charging

LYTEN INC, 2025

Embedding split-ring resonators (SRRs) made of carbonaceous microstructures in vehicle components like tires, bodywork, and landing pads to monitor their properties and conditions. The SRRs respond to electromagnetic stimuli and emit signals that change based on the component's state. This allows detecting tire wear, deformation, and tire-road friction. The embedded SRRs can also charge from triboelectric generators in the tire belts and discharge through resonance. The SRRs can be calibrated and encoded to provide digital wear tracking without electronics.

3. Vehicle Component with Embedded Carbonaceous Split Ring Resonators for Electromagnetic Property Detection

LYTEN INC, 2025

Embedding split ring resonators in vehicle components like tires to detect changes in material properties. The resonators are made from carbonaceous microstructures and respond to electromagnetic stimuli. By embedding the resonators in tires, changes in resonant frequency can indicate tire wear, deformation, or damage. The resonators can also detect environmental conditions like water accumulation. The resonator frequencies are based on the material's permittivity and permeability. The embedded resonators can be powered by triboelectric generators in the tire for self-powered sensing.

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4. Hydraulic Motor-Integrated Energy Harvesting Dampers with Bidirectional Fluid Flow Control

CLEARMOTION INC, 2025

Energy harvesting dampers that capture energy from relative motion and provide damping. The dampers contain integrated hydraulic motors and electric generators. In compression, fluid moves through the motor to rotate it and generate electricity. In extension, fluid reverses direction to counter-rotate the motor and generate electricity. Valves restrict fluid flow to unidirectionally spin the motor during both modes. This allows damping while capturing energy.

US12264656B2-patent-drawing

5. Vehicle Wheel Rim with Integrated Tire Pressure Sensors, Display, and Wireless Communication System

COPLUS INC., 2025

A smart wheel rim for vehicles with embedded tire pressure sensors, display, and power generation capabilities. The rim has a built-in tire pressure indicator, an electric power generator, and a wireless connection to the vehicle's tire pressure monitoring system. The generator charges an onboard battery to power the indicator. This allows real-time tire pressure display directly on the rim without needing a separate display in the cabin. It also enables dynamic wheel identification since the sensor and display are integrated into the rim. This eliminates the need for fixed sensors that cannot be swapped between wheels without updating the system. The rim can communicate with the vehicle's tire pressure monitoring system to send and receive tire pressure data wirelessly.

US20250091392A1-patent-drawing

6. Retrofit Wheel Motor with Integrated Energy Storage and Rotatable Stator-Rotor Assembly

Kevin R. WILLIAMS, 2025

A retrofit wheel motor that can be easily installed on existing vehicles to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. The motor is integrated into the wheel assembly and has an onboard energy storage module. The motor has a rotor with permanent magnets and a stator with windings. The stator and rotor are spaced by an air gap. The stator is connected to the outer wheel rim and rotates with it. The stator can also rotate relative to the rotor. This allows the motor to capture braking energy and provide acceleration boosts. The storage module is mounted on the stator and interacts with the magnets/windings to receive/transmit energy. This enables onboard energy recovery and storage without needing external components.

7. Electric Vehicle Tire-Integrated Linear Generators for Kinetic Energy Conversion

KWON HYUN KI, 2023

An electric vehicle power generation system that converts the kinetic energy of a vehicle's deforming tires during driving into electrical energy. The system uses linear generators inside the tires that convert the energy from tire deformation due to impacts into electrical energy. This kinetic energy is stored in capacitors and then rectified to charge the vehicle's battery. The system allows recovering energy from tire deformation during driving instead of wasting it.

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8. Tire Tread with Piezoelectric Studs for Electric Energy Harvesting

NEXEN TIRE CORP, 2023

Electric energy harvesting tire using studs that generate electricity as they deform in the tire tread. The studs are fixed in grooves and have piezoelectric elements at their bottom. As the studs move with the road, the piezoelectric elements convert the deformation into electrical energy. This harvested energy can be stored and used to power onboard electronics or tire pressure sensors.

9. Tire with Integrated Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Modules and Parallel Array Configuration

GUILIN UNIVERSITY OF ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, UNIV GUILIN ELECTRONIC TECH, 2022

Smart tire with array energy harvesting to provide consistent power for internal sensors and devices without relying on the vehicle battery. The smart tire has piezoelectric modules attached to the inner surface of the tire that generate electricity as the tire deforms during rotation. The modules are connected in parallel arrays around the tire to maximize deformation and power output. The harvested AC voltage is rectified, stabilized, and stored in an energy element. This provides stable DC power for tire sensors and devices.

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10. Tire-Integrated Energy Collection Device with PVDF Piezoelectric Film and Magnetostrictive Material

NANJING TECH UNIVERSITY, UNIV NANJING TECH, 2022

Tire self-supply energy-collection charging device that eliminates the risk of car energy loss, power consumption burden and personnel's mileage anxiety, increases duration, and optimizes personnel experience of going on a journey. The device includes a PVDF piezoelectric film, a magnetostrictive material, a tire air-tight layer, a rim and a tire cover, and is arranged in the tire airtight layer, the strength relation among materials of the tire body reinforcing layer is not damaged, the driving operation of personnel is not influenced, and the potential safety hazard of personnel going out is reduced.

11. Tire with Embedded Multi-Module Energy Harvesting System for Dynamic Motion Conversion

Yuzo Ankata, YUZO AGATA, 2022

Tire with integrated power generation capability that can generate electricity from road vibrations and pressure changes when the vehicle is driving. The tire has multiple separated power generation modules like piezoelectric, electromagnetic induction, or magnetostrictive devices. These modules convert the tire's dynamic motion into electrical energy without external power. The generated electricity can be used to charge the vehicle battery, power onboard sensors, or store energy in a capacitor.

12. Tire-Embedded Piezoelectric Charging System with Capacitive Discharge and Wireless Energy Transfer

Siavash Motamed, SIAVASH MOTAMED, 2022

An electric vehicle (EV) charging system that uses piezoelectric elements embedded in the tires to generate electrical charge during vehicle motion. The piezoelectric elements compress as the tire rolls, creating a time-varying voltage. A capacitor connected to the elements stores the charge. A discharge circuit connects the capacitor to a coil embedded in the tire. This discharges the capacitor into the coil, creating a time-varying magnetic field. A receiver coil on the EV picks up the magnetic field to wirelessly charge the vehicle battery. The piezoelectric elements, capacitor, and coil are arranged around the tire. The system provides self-sustaining, contactless charging without requiring infrastructure or contact with the road.

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13. Piezoelectric Energy Harvester with Radially Aligned Magnet Pair and Curved Beam Configuration

SHENZHEN INSTITUTE OF NORTHWESTERN POLYTECHNICAL UNIV, SHENZHEN INSTITUTE OF NORTHWESTERN POLYTECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, 2022

A piezoelectric energy harvesting device for capturing strain energy from tire deformation to power tire pressure monitoring systems. The device is installed in a wheel hub and consists of piezoelectric curved beams sandwiched between the spokes. An inner magnet is fixed to one side of a beam and an outer magnet covers the inner tube. The magnets are aligned in the radial direction with opposite poles facing each other. When the tire deforms, the magnets move relative to each other generating electrical charge on the piezoelectric beams.

14. Wheel Power Generation Device with Dual-Layer Piezoelectric Structure and Elastic Support

YANG ZONGCHAO, ZHONG ZHILIANG, 2022

Wheel power generation device for vehicles that converts the pressure between the tire and the ground into electrical energy. The device has piezoelectric layers sandwiched between the wheel hub, elastic support, and outer tire. When the wheel compresses during driving, the piezoelectric layers generate electricity due to the applied pressure. This allows recovering wasted energy from the tire contact. The double-layer piezoelectric structure improves power generation efficiency compared to just one layer. The elastic support replaces the traditional tire for stable support and shock absorption.

15. Electrical Connector Assemblies with Embedded Conductors and Liquid Metal Contacts for Kinetic Energy Harvesting from Tire and Wheel Motion

TDK Corporation, 2022

Electrical connector assemblies for harvesting energy from tire and wheel motion without needing batteries. The assemblies have conductors that extend through the tire from inside to outside. This allows harvesting kinetic energy as the tire rotates. The connectors can also be embedded in the tire. The wheel has matching connectors to connect to the tire connectors. This enables harvesting energy from the wheel rotation. The harvested energy can power onboard electronics like sensors. The connectors can also have liquid metal contacts for better electrical connection.

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16. Tire with Integrated Piezoelectric Devices Featuring Sandwich-Structured Ceramics and Parallel Negative Electrode Connections

JI CHUNYAN, 2022

Tire with integrated piezoelectric devices that generate electricity as the tire rolls. The tire has piezoelectric devices in the inner core with upper and lower piezoelectric ceramics sandwiched between metal sheets. Joints connect the ceramics to wires, with parallel metal plates connecting the upper ceramics and wires. The lower ceramics are wrapped in metal and the upper ceramics are covered by metal caps. Connections between the metal pieces form negative electrode structures. Multiple negative electrode structures are connected in parallel. The piezoelectric devices convert the tire's deformation into electrical charge as it moves.

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17. Tire with Piezoelectric Coating for Electricity Generation from Deformation

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., 2022

A piezoelectric tire that generates electricity from tire deformation and uses it to power onboard electronics. The tire has a coating of piezoelectric material on the inner surface that contacts the ground. This generates electric charge when the tire flexes under load. Circuitry on the tire can harvest this power for applications like tire pressure monitoring or wireless communication. The coating length and shape are optimized for strain sensitivity.

18. Power Supply Device with Piezoelectric and Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting Layers for Passive Tire Sensor

GUILIN UNIVERSITY OF ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, UNIV GUILIN ELECTRONIC TECH, 2022

Power supply device for a passive sensor in a tire of a vehicle that greatly improves the maintenance period and service life of the intelligent tire, and reduces the use cost. The device includes a tire cover, a piezoelectric energy harvesting layer, a thermoelectric energy harvesting layer and a main circuit control board.

CN113978187A-patent-drawing

19. Tire-Embedded Piezoelectric Film System for Power Generation and Deformation-Responsive Data Collection

BEIHANG UNIVERSITY, UNIV BEIHANG, 2021

System and method for generating power and information feedback from tire deformation using piezoelectric films. The system involves embedding PVDF piezoelectric films in tires to generate power and collect road environment data. A first thicker PVDF film generates power from tire deformation. A second smaller film collects charge for road sensing. A conditioning circuit converts the charge to voltage, a microcontroller processes the data, and a control unit uses it to optimize vehicle dynamics. This integrates power generation and sensing in the tire, leveraging deformation energy and reducing maintenance costs.

CN113859154A-patent-drawing

20. Tire with Integrated Piezoelectric Energy Converter and Profiled Tread

CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, 2021

Automated vehicle tire that improves energy harvesting. The tire includes a profiled tread, belt plies, a carcass insert, an inner layer, side walls and at least one piezo component as a piezoelectric energy converter.

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21. Tire-Integrated Power Generation Device with Insulated Members and Variable Contact Area

22. Piezoelectric-Electromagnetic Composite Energy Capture Structure with Deformation-Induced Charge Generation Mechanisms

23. Piezoelectric Energy Harvester for Tire Sensors with Liquid-Immersed Piezoelectric Material and Support Springs

24. Passive Energy Harvesting Device with Piezoelectric Film and Slip Ring for Tire Rotation

25. Wheel-Integrated Piezoelectric Energy Harvester with Strain-Enhancing Substrate Geometry

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