How It Works

ROADS OF THE FUTURE

Roads that recharge

As the threat of global warming forces us to search for alternative energy sources, why not look to the roads? With the right advancements, cars around the world could be producing energy as they go.

Piezoelectric roads mix traditional asphalt with piezoelectric crystals, using vibrations from passing cars to generate electricity. What makes these crystals unique is their atomic structure. Typically the atoms that build

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from How It Works

How It Works1 min read
Frozen Lava Flows
While orbiting over Europe, an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) snapped this view of the Nemrut volcano in Turkey. The eastern side of Lake Nemrut is solidified lava flows from past eruptions, taking up half of the volcano’s caldera
How It Works1 min read
WELCOME Issue 192
The time has come again for the peak of superhuman athletes to compete across a range of disciplines in the most prestigious sporting event in the world. The Olympic Games is a chance for every participating country to showcase its biggest athletic t
How It Works3 min read
Solar Power From Space
Traditional solar power uses a photovoltaic panel at or near ground level to collect the Sun’s energy and turn it into electricity. It’s one of the most important sources of renewable energy, but it does come with limitations. It only works during da

Related Books & Audiobooks