Provided is an electric power generating device capable of performing electret power generation by efficiently rotating a rotating electrode group. The electric power generating device includes: a plurality of electret electrodes each made of an electret material and formed into a planar shape, and arranged in a circular shape at intervals in a first plane; a plurality of counter electrodes arranged in a circular shape in a second plane facing the first plane so as to face the plurality of electret electrodes; an oscillating weight supported in a rotatable manner; and a motive power transmission mechanism configured to transmit motive power generated by rotations of the oscillating weight to a rotating electrode group including any one of the plurality of electret electrodes and the plurality of counter electrodes, to thereby rotate the rotating electrode group so that the rotating electrode group is moved relative to another electrode group, the motive power transmission mechanism including a clutch mechanism configured to transmit only a rotation of the oscillating weight in one predetermined direction.

A vehicle energy harvester including a subunit having an upper surface forming a roadway surface; a vehicle activated treadle on the subunit, the vehicle activated treadle moveable between a first position in which an upper surface of the treadle is at an angle with respect to the upper surface of the roadway surface and a second position in which the upper surface of the treadle is flush with the upper surface of the roadway surface; a generator that generates power in response to movement of the vehicle activated treadle from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position; and a capacitor coupled to the generator, the capacitor storing power generated by the generator.

Power generating devices and systems that include devices, apparatus, systems and methods with a turbine assembly disposed in a recess under the road surface as the sustainable actuating mechanism include a pivoting treadle plate upon which is mounted a counterweight wherein the force of gravity raises load-bearing pivoting treadle plate that spans a recess below the roadway to a slope relative to roadways and also utilizes the movement of wheels of automobiles driving over the upper surface of the angled pivoting treadle plates or flaps with hinges to drive down the treadle plates to be substantially level and flush with the roadway as kinetic power rotational energy to spin electric generators to generate electricity.

Anti-microbial peptides and methods of use are provided.

An apparatus for road vehicles includes a sealed housing (07) which mounts the shafts (11 & 12) in bearings (10). Closed chain or belt loops (13) are driven by sprockets or pulleys (29) which are supported on the shafts (11 & 12) by one direction clutch bearings (09) such that the shafts (11 & 12) can only transmit power in a single direction (15). A multiple array of active elements (14) are activated by the vehicle wheels and have suitable means or geometry such that they transmit force to cause displacement of the chains or belts (13) and drive a generator (06) when activated but slip in the opposite return direction independently and without further effect to the chains or belts (13). A gearbox (28) may be used to change the shafts orientations. A multiple of chain or belt loops (13) are mounted to the shafts (11 & 12) at a suitable spacing in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle travel direction (04). The active elements (14) have means to bias them to return to their non-activated position after activation. The active elements (14) may operate further active elements having a means of one direction transmission of force to cause the chains or belts (13) to displace.

A piezo electric and thermal harvesting method for rail-transportation systems. The method embodies a three-dimensional arrangement of piezo vertebrae configured in parallel within a track housing that is operatively associated with the rail of the rail-transportation system. Weight from rail traffic compresses the track housing and thus the piezo vertebrae, thereby generating electricity. Thermal control incorporates a chill beam within the track housing as well as a multi-wire thermal electric couple wiring scheme.

A power generation apparatus includes a rocker arm having a first end and a second end and is mounted pivotally between the first end and the second end, wherein reciprocal movement of the first end between raised and lowered positions urges reciprocal movement of the second end between lowered and raised positions. A pulley apparatus couples the second end of the rocker arm to a drive member, wherein reciprocal movement of the second end of the rocker arm between its lowered and raised positions urges reciprocal rotation of the drive member between first and second positions. A transmission interacts between the drive member and the output shaft, wherein reciprocal rotation of the drive member between its first and second positions urges rotation of the output shaft in one direction.

A transport refrigeration system includes a transportation refrigeration unit; an energy storage device configured to provide electrical power to the transportation refrigeration unit; and an electric generation device 340 operably connected through a mechanical interface 370 to at least one of a wheel 364 of the transport refrigeration system and a wheel axle 365 of the transport refrigeration system; the mechanical interface includes: a first clutch mechanism 371 operable to selectively engage the electric generation device with at least one of the wheel and the wheel axle to generate electrical power to charge the energy storage device; and a second clutch mechanism 372, the second clutch mechanism is an overrunning clutch configured to disengage the electric generation device from the wheel and/or the wheel axle when a rotational velocity of the electric generation device is greater than a rotational velocity of the wheel and/or the wheel axle.

An energy harvesting apparatus comprising: a movable road component (106) that is configured to move away from a raised position due to a weight of one or more vehicles on the movable road component; a link (108) that is coupled to the movable road component, the link being movable between a rigid configuration and a flexible configuration, wherein in the rigid configuration, the link is configured to transfer force from the movable road component to act as a work input; and wherein in the flexible configuration, the link is configured to substantially isolate the movement of the movable road component to prevent the link from acting as a work input.