This paper concerns energy harvesting from vehicle suspension systems. The generated power associated with bounce, pitch and roll modes of vehicle dynamics is determined through analysis. The potential values of power generation from these three modes are calculated. Next, experiments are carried out using a vehicle with a four jack shaker rig to validate the analytical values of potential power harvest. For the considered vehicle, maximum theoretical power values of 1.1kW, 0.88kW and 0.97kW are associated with the bounce, pitch and roll modes, respectively, at 20 Hz excitation frequency and peak to peak displacement amplitude of 5 mm at each wheel, as applied by the shaker. The corresponding experimentally power values are 0.98kW, 0.74kW and 0.78kW. An experimental rig is also developed to study the behavior of regenerative actuators in generating electrical power from kinetic energy. This rig represents a quarter-vehicle suspension model where the viscous damper in the shock absorber system is replaced by a regenerative system. The rig is able to demonstrate the actual electrical power that can be harvested using a regenerative system. The concept of self-powered actuation using the harvested energy from suspension is discussed with regard to applications of self-powered vibration control. The effect of suspension energy regeneration on ride comfort and road handling is presented in conjunction with energy harvesting associated with random road excitations.

4Due to emission legislations, searching for alternative and sustainable energy sources to improve air quality and 5 reduce emissions. It is believed that ethanol can replace fossil. Ethanol can be used in spark-ignition (SI) engines 6 as a pure or blended fuel. Ethanol has 2.6 times higher latent heat of vaporization (HOV) than conventional 7 gasoline per unit of mass and 4.2 times higher latent heat of vaporization for a stoichiometric mixture. Thus 8 leads to reduce the charge temperature and exhaust emissions such as NOx. Ethanol shows faster combustion 9 compared to gasoline due to higher laminar flame speed, and extending MBT operation range.

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