KETEP 세계에너지시장정보

Imagine stoplights and cars communicating with each other to optimize the flow of traffic. This isn't science fiction—it's the Internet of Things (IoT), i.e., objects that sense their surroundings and respond via the internet. As the global population rises and such technologies continue to develop, you might wonder—what will power this digital world of tomorrow?

Wind, solar, yes. Something all around us might not immediately come to mind, though—heat. Now, in a study recently published in Nature Communications, a multi-institutional research team, including Osaka University, has unveiled a breakthrough in clean energy: greatly improved thermoelectric conversion. One of its many potential applications? That's right, the IoT.