NIMS developed TEGNet (Thermoelectric Generator Neural Network), a neural network for designing thermoelectric generators by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). TEGNet can predict performance of a power generator, a process which used to take enormous computational time with traditional simulation techniques, with only about 1/10,000 of the time conventionally needed, while maintaining over 99% accuracy. This technology significantly accelerates optimization from material development to device design, and is expected to be applied to waste heat recovery and stand-alone power supply for IoT sensors, for example. This research result was published in Nature at 11:00 U.S. Eastern Standard Time, April 15, 2026 (0:00 Japan Standard Time, April 16, 2026).

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Glowbug-2 instrument successfully launched on board the Department of War (DoW) Space Test Program – Houston 11 (STP-H11) payload at approximately 6:05 p.m. EDT on May 15, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.