Project Summary
Each year, Europe produces over one million tonnes of tyre particles, making it the second-largest microplastic polluter in oceans and a significant source of air pollution. To tackle this, the Tyre Collective is leading the charge with their cutting-edge clean technology startup. Their patent-pending device captures tyre wear at the source using electrostatics and airflow, preventing it from harming marine life and polluting the air. The captured particles can also be repurposed, creating a closed-loop system. By focusing on tyre wear, the Tyre Collective can address the primary source of vehicle pollution and strive towards true zero-emission mobility.
Project Achievements
Our project focused on developing a new prototype to capture NEEs and testing it in the field. The main achievement was building a physical prototype, testing it in the field, and analysing the samples within the timeframe. We collaborated with the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL) on the trial and worked with Particle Vision on sample analysis. We presented our technology in multiple exhibitions and identified potential customers to pilot the new device.
Conclusions
The outputs of the project were to evaluate the feasibility of retrofitting our technology into a new form, design, build and test the first prototype in a relevant environment. It helped accelerate the idea from TRL 2 to 4. We successfully developed the prototype and tested it in the field. We experimented with different materials and geometry optimisation to improve capture efficiency and reduce cost. We also installed a passive sampler to understand NEE composition.
Next Steps
The next step is to run more trials in different environments and iterate and design a more robust, compact device. We have s poken with and received interest from commercial customers and local councils to pilot our device. We applied for additional IUK funding to understand customer needs and continue developing the device. This project is outside our regular R&D activities. The TRIG programme helped us explore this untapped opportunity and derisk this project, enabling us to reach TRL 4. Our conversations with Connected Places Catapult and the Department of Transport have also been valuable.
