MIT undergrads have invented a shock absorber that not only smooths things better than conventional shocks, it also generates electricity and improves fuel mileage.
In their testing so far, the students found that in a 6-shock heavy truck, each shock absorber could generate up to an average of 1 kW on a standard road — enough power to completely displace the large alternator load in heavy trucks and military vehicles, and in some cases even run accessory devices such as hybrid trailer refrigeration units.
The military and truck manufacturers are seriously interested.