A metamaterial-based substrate (meta-substrate) for piezoelectric energy harvesters. The design of the meta-substrate combines kirigami and auxetic topologies to create a high-performance platform including preferable mechanical properties of both metamaterial morphable structures. The creative design of the meta-substrate can improve strain-induced vibration applications in structural health monitoring, internet-of-things systems, micro-electromechanical systems, wireless sensor networks, vibration energy harvesters, and other applications whose efficiency is dependent on their deformation performance. The meta-substrate energy harvesting device includes a meta-material substrate comprising an auxetic frame having two kirigami cuts and a piezoelectric element adhered to the auxetic frame by means of a thin layer of elastic glue.

An onboard DC charger for an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle includes an electric machine and a power conversion device that is a drive circuit for the electric machine and a charging circuit for the on-board battery. The one or more electric machines of the vehicle are mounted to the body for providing locomotive energy, wherein the or each machine has a stator, a rotor mounted to the stator for rotation, and one or more windings; and a controller for operating in a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the controller allows current to be drawn from the DC energy source for energising at least one of the one or more windings such that the electric machine provides the locomotive energy and, in the second state, the controller controls the position of the rotor relative to the stator and allows at least one of the one or more windings to be energised to provide a charging current to the DC energy source.

A station constituted of: a control circuit; a first and a second bi-directional converter, each in communication with the control circuit, each arranged to be coupled to a respective plug-in electrical vehicle at a respective first port thereof; and a connection to an AC grid, wherein the control circuit is arranged to: draw electrical energy from a first plug-in electrical vehicle coupled to the first port of the first bi-directional converter; and provide at least some of the drawn electrical energy to a second plug-in electrical vehicle coupled to the first port of the second bi-directional converter.

A station constituted of: a control circuit; a first and a second bi-directional converter, each in communication with the control circuit, each arranged to be coupled to a respective plug-in electrical vehicle at a respective first port thereof; and a connection to an AC grid, wherein the control circuit is arranged to: draw electrical energy from a first plug-in electrical vehicle coupled to the first port of the first bi-directional converter; and provide at least some of the drawn electrical energy to a second plug-in electrical vehicle coupled to the first port of the second bi-directional converter.

A modular charging and power system for generating and supplying electrical power to electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, other manned and unmanned remotely operated vehicles, drones, robotics, marine and aerospace vehicles, equipment, or apparatus, portable power units, propulsion systems, and other electrically powered systems. The modular charging and power system comprises a racking system for retaining one or more interchangeable power modules. Each power module comprises a generator driven by a power unit, a compressor to deliver high-pressure driving fluid to the power unit, and a battery bank. Electrical power generated by the generator powers the compressor, the battery bank, and/or an external electronic device or system.

A modular charging and power system for generating and supplying electrical power to electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, other manned and unmanned remotely operated vehicles, drones, robotics, marine and aerospace vehicles, equipment, or apparatus, portable power units, propulsion systems, and other electrically powered systems. The modular charging and power system comprises a racking system for retaining one or more interchangeable power modules. Each power module comprises a generator driven by a power unit, a compressor to deliver high-pressure driving fluid to the power unit, and a battery bank. Electrical power generated by the generator powers the compressor, the battery bank, and/or an external electronic device or system.

A charging system which charges a power storage device mounted on a moving object, includes: an electric power conversion device that converts electric power supplied from a commercial power supply; a kinetic energy storage device that stores kinetic energy; and a rotary electric machine that is electrically connected to the electric power conversion device and is mechanically connected to the kinetic energy storage device.

A charging system which charges a power storage device mounted on a moving object, includes: an electric power conversion device that converts electric power supplied from a commercial power supply; a kinetic energy storage device that stores kinetic energy; and a rotary electric machine that is electrically connected to the electric power conversion device and is mechanically connected to the kinetic energy storage device.

An electric vehicle (EV) charging station for fast charging (e.g. 5 to 15 minutes) an electric vehicle (EV). The EV charging station can be configured to charge multiple EVs and multiple conventional fuel type vehicles at the same time.

The present invention discloses a navigation method for electric vehicles based on electricity quantity guidance of energy-storage charging piles. The electric vehicles select charging piles nearby that can meet own charging quantity demands to charge according to location information of charging piles and real-time stored electricity information of energy storage modules of the charging piles; a system using the method includes the charging piles. The navigation method and system can reasonably guide the electric vehicles to charge according to the distribution and the stored electricity of the charging piles, and can dynamically plan travel charging solutions for the electric vehicles, thereby avoiding problems that the electric vehicles stop running without electricity on the way to the charging piles and inefficiently wait for charging for a long time, so that the stored electricity of the charging piles can be reasonably distributed and utilized, and energy idleness and waste are avoided.