World’s first automatic and adaptive, dual-mode light-emitting diode (LED)-based optical wireless power transmission system, that operates seamlessly under both dark and bright lighting conditions, has been developed by scientists at Science Tokyo. The system, along with artificial intelligence-powered image recognition, can efficiently power multiple devices in order without interruption. Because it is LED-based, it offers a low-cost and safe solution ideal for building sustainable indoor Internet of Things infrastructure.

A discovery of electrically controlled triple quantum dots in zinc oxide by the Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, moves us closer to energy-efficient quantum devices can be used practically.

Researchers in Tokyo Metropolitan University developed the efficient method for perfect and selective conversion of polyesters (textiles, cloth wastes, and PET bottle wastes etc.) to raw materials by simply heating a mixture of polyester and alcohol in the presence of iron catalyst. The findings will pave the way for solving the plastic waste problem.

NIMS, in collaboration with Nagoya University, Gifu University, and the University of Adelaide, has developed a method for simultaneously imaging DNA and RNA inside cells using harmless infrared to near-infrared light. This study enables high-precision detection of all stages of cell death, paving the way for early detection of cell aging and damage for disease prevention. The results were published in Science Advances on October 23, 2025.

A research team from the Urban and Transportation Systems Laboratory, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology has developed an innovative evaluation framework that quantitatively evaluating the quality of life (QOL) in future smart cities by integrating physical accessibility (transportation networks) and digital accessibility (ICT networks). The study shows that while digital services such as telework, online learning, and e-commerce can improve convenience and support sustainability, essential in-person services and physical social interactions remain critical for well-being and equity. The findings were published in the international academic journal Sustainability (MDPI).

A research team led by NIMS has, for the first time, produced nanoscale images of two key features in an ultra-thin material: twist domains (areas where one atomic layer is slightly rotated relative to another) and polarities (differences in atomic orientation). The material, monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), is regarded as a promising candidate for use in next-generation electronic devices. This breakthrough was achieved by combining scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with artificial intelligence (machine learning), allowing researchers to capture highly detailed nanoscale features over large areas. The research was published in Small Methods on August 6, 2025.

Supported catalysts are widely used in various chemical processes. However, most catalysts perform well only for specific chemical reactions, necessitating new methods to diversify and improve performance. Now, researchers have developed an innovative gas-switch-triggered reduction method for impregnation-based synthesis of supported catalysts, consisting of multiple alloyed metals. This method is simple, scalable and can be integrated easily into industrial processes, paving the way for advanced catalysts for more sustainable chemical synthesis.

Using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoids, researchers from Science Tokyo uncovered how abnormal Hippo signaling drives fibrosis in nephronophthisis, a genetic kidney disorder caused by NPHP1 deficiency. Confirming their discovery, the team demonstrated that inhibiting the Hippo signaling pathway effectively suppresses fibrosis in kidney tissue. The study highlights the potential of organoid-based disease models for elucidating disease mechanisms while offering a new therapeutic target for nephronophthisis.

Common ancestor eels lost the aquaporin gene encoding proteins with broad solute permeability. Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo have now found that recent gene duplication events in the European eel (Anguilla species) have restored aquaporin proteins with broad solute permeability. The genes aqp10.2b2 and aqp10.2b3 represent a fascinating example of birth-and-death evolution, in which genes undergo loss of function, duplication, mutation, and functional diversification.