In joint research with The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and Nagoya University, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) developed a new material "thermoelectric permanent magnet" exhibiting extremely high transverse thermoelectric conversion performance, and achieved transverse thermoelectric generation with a power density of 56.7 mW/cm² around room temperature in a thermoelectric-permanent-magnet-based module. When converted into a value per applied temperature gradient, this is not only the world’s highest power density among transverse thermoelectric modules, but a performance even comparable to commercial longitudinal thermoelectric modules. This achievement is expected to lead to thermal energy harvesting and management technologies that can be utilized everywhere magnets are used. This research result was published in Energy & Environmental Science on March 18, 2025.

BingoCGN, a scalable and efficient graph neural network accelerator that enables inference of real-time, large-scale graphs through graph partitioning, has been developed by researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan. This breakthrough framework utilizes an innovative cross-partition message quantization technique and a novel training algorithm to significantly reduce memory demands and increase computational and energy efficiency. 

Remote-controlled microflow using light-controlled state transitions within DNA condensates has been reported by scientists from Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan. By switching between ultraviolet light (UV) and visible light irradiation, the researchers demonstrated that the novel DNA motifs containing azobenzene can dissociate or reassemble.  Furthermore, localized photo-switching within a DNA liquid condensate generated two distinct directional motions. This study can fuel the development of innovative fluid-based diagnostic chips and molecular computers. 

A team led by Prof. Zhenke Zhu from Ningbo University analyzed 261 soil samples across China to systematically compare the impacts of different legume crop rotations on soil properties and microbial communities, revealing the unique advantages of faba bean (Vicia faba) rotation in enhancing soil multifunctionality and its microbial-driven mechanisms. The relevant paper has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025604).