A team of undergraduate students at MIT have developed a shock absorber that actually generates electricity from bumps in the road. This results in up to a 10 percent improvement in overall vehicle fuel efficiency. Their prototype shock absorbers use a hydraulic system that forces fluid through a turbine attached to a generator. The system is controlled by an active electronic system that optimizes the damping, providing a smoother ride than conventional shocks while generating electricity to recharge the batteries or operate electrical equipment.
"GenShock" technology is ideal for heavier vehicles, as added weight equates to better performance. Naturally, the military and the trucking industry has expressed a lot of interest in the idea, but those involved with the project have even bigger plans. They "want this technology on every heavy-truck, military vehicle and consumer hybrid on the road"—and by the looks of things, they just might get their wish.
