AIST formed nanostructures by adding Ge to PbTe. The nanostructures allow electric current to flow through and result in low heat conduction. A cascade-type thermoelectric module was developed by stacking the nanostructured PbTe module on the hot side of a Bi2Te3 thermoelectric module, and a conversion efficiency of 12% was achieved.

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 heat-resistant O-ring that is durable and economical by combining a fluoroelastomer and carbon nanotubes. The material was designed to meet initial strength requirements, to maintain its strength after being exposed to a high temperature, 230˚ C, and to maintains its sealability for prolonged periods of time. A low-cost mass production process was also developed.

AIST has developed a continuous organic material synthesizer by improving a flow-type microwave heating device. The developed flow-type microwave synthesizer can heat even low-polarity solvents. Also, it can control microwave energy appropriately according to the temperature, as well as according to the dielectric properties of the reaction solution which change with temperature upon irradiation, thereby enabling efficient continuous synthesis.

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.