AIST has developed a high-reliability 1200-V-class SiC transistor with a unique structure. The developed transistor has trench type gates and SBD built on a trench sidewall. The cell pitch, i.e., the spacing of the gates, was reduced to 5 µm, less than one third of the conventional pitch. Thus, the voltage applied to the PiN diodes was reduced and a high-reliability transistor that does not suffer from current degradation was developed. Its performance was verified using a mass-production-quality prototype.

AIST and IDS Co., Ltd. have developed technology that enables the production of artificial teeth using 3D printing technology. AIST researched the microstructure of additive manufacturing material, as well as the effects of the powder size and layering direction on durability, to determine the conditions necessary for practical use. IDS Co., Ltd. obtained pharmaceutical regulatory approval of a cobalt-chrome alloy powder.

AIST evaluated decadal changes in arterial stiffness of 92 volunteers by a follow-up study. It also investigated the volunteers’ specific gene polymorphisms and physical activity levels. A specific combination of the gene polymorphisms was associated with 2.4 times greater decadal increase in arterial stiffness. The decadal increase in arterial stiffness in the high-physical activity group was less than half of that in the other groups. The results are potentially useful for developing a gene marker to identify the risk of cardiovascular disease.

AIST has developed a simple synthesis method to grow a monoatomic film of transition metal chalcogenide on a substrate. The developed synthesis method uses chemical vapor deposition. By adding salts to a transition metal source and melting it, then supplying a chalcogen source, 47 types of transition metal chalcogenide monatomic films can be synthesized.

AIST has developed a motile spermatozoa selection device with microchannels. The characteristic flow created by the microchannels guides motile spermatozoa and selects spermatozoa based on their upward swimming ability. Furthermore, this technology can collect healthy spermatozoa in number applicable to artificial insemination. The developed technology is expected to contribute to improving the fertility of cattle and other livestock.

Thought experiments in combination with analogue models have elucidated the cause of the east-west contraction and crustal deformation of the Japanese islands in the Quaternary Period. It was concluded that the cause of the east-west contraction is not movement of the Pacific Plate itself, as conventionally thought, but rather movement of the Philippine Sea Plate.

AIST has developed a high-power flexible thermoelectric module. The developed thermoelectric material is a transition metal-doped bismuth-tellurium alloy. Thermoelectric chips were produced from an ingot of the material and a flexible thermoelectric module was built by mounting the chips at high density on a flexible substrate. The developed module allows to be adhered to heat sources with curved surfaces and can be used for a variety of power generation applications using waste heat.