The researchers at AIST developed a novel approach toward methanol production from CO₂ using multinuclear catalyst including two iridium atoms in a gas-solid phase, in order to avoid the thermodynamic constraints. This catalysis promoted hydrogenation of CO₂ to methanol even at 30 °C or 0.5 MPa with high selectivity. The achievements in this study will contribute to the zero emission of greenhouse gas in future.

AIST determined the genome and analyzed the biological functions of the symbiotic bacterium found in leaf beetles. This study revealed for the first time that one species of symbiotic bacteria can perform different functions in larvae and adults of the same host insect.

AIST has developed a thermo-projection shaping method that enables easy high-speed 3D shaping without damage to electronic circuits fabricated on a flat resin sheet. The heat applied to the sheet during shaping is partially blocked to create non-deforming areas, thus avoiding damage to the circuits.

In collaboration with Kyushu University, the researchers at AIST have developed a novel analysis method that combines molecular simulation and artificial intelligence to observe the process of the formation of characteristic nanostructures in quenched liquid crystals.

Researchers in AIST demonstrated developed that the world's largest total optical switch capacity of 125 million Gbps can be achieved in a 131,072-port optical switch network. This corresponds to the capacity to transmit the data of 600,000 or more Blu-ray discs per second.
This study used the world's largest capacity 32×32 port optical switch developed by AIST to conduct a circular transmission experiment in which a wideband optical signal was transmitted through the same optical switch nine times. Furthermore, the behavior of crosstalk in the optical switch was statistically analyzed, and a general theory for maximizing the number of optical switch ports was established. These results satisfy the requirements of optical switches demanded by next-generation data centers and supercomputers (See figure), and this technology will contribute to high-capacity, low-latency next-generation information infrastructure.

In collaboration with JEOL Ltd. and Marine Works Japan Ltd., the researchers in AIST succeeded in culturing strain RT761, a bacterium that plays an important role in methane production in deep subsurface environments such as natural gas fields.

Researchers at AIST has been developed a compact radiation dosimeter using power-saving wireless technology. It does not require battery replacement for two years or more. The newly developed dosimeter combines the low power consumption technology developed by AIST at the time in response to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident with the latest IoT (Internet of Things) technology. This enables to check the radiation dose transition over time directly on the dosimeter unit display or an information terminal such as a smartphone, with almost no concern about battery drain.