Can we power electronics with current drawn straight from the environment?
A February 2026 study published in the journal Newton may put us along the path. Using quantum science that deals with fundamental particles, researchers uncovered a process that may allow electrical signals “to be converted directly into usable current without requiring… bulky components,” according to the paper. But the researchers say we shouldn’t be letting go of our batteries just yet.
The international research team was experimenting with bismuth telluride, a popular semiconductor for power generation. The substance is composed of bismuth—a metal used in cosmetics and some pharmaceuticals—and a rare element called tellurium, which is used to improve the quality of other metals.
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