Kyushu University

A diagram illustrating the new thermoelectric generator

Energy

Thermoelectric generator pulls energy from room temperature heat

Scientists in Japan have developed a new organic device that can harvest energy from heat. Unlike other thermoelectric generators, this one works at room temperature without a heat gradient.

An illustration of the new all-perovskite memory device, which can be written to and read from using electricity, and read from with flashes of light

Electronics

Perovskite memory device transmits data in both light and electricity

Most memory devices us electric signals, but an emerging technology uses light, so data can be read back just by checking if an LED is on or off. Now, researchers have developed a new device based entirely on perovskite that can do both at once.

Samples of the liquid metal in its reflective state (top left/bottom right) and scattering state (top right/bottom left)

Materials

Liquid metal mirrors switch reflectivity on and off with a zap

Engineers have found a way to make liquid metals switch between reflective surfaces or those that scatter light. The transition only requires a small zap of electricity and could be used to make mirrors that can be switched on or off.

Robotics

Ground-sniffing robot may give tracker dogs a run for their money

Could scent-tracking sniffer dogs be out of a job? Well, perhaps eventually. Scientists from Japan's Kyushu University have developed a prototype robot that can detect and follow odors left on the ground, such as those deposited in footprints.