ⓘ see SourcesThe new tech in action Researchers from Seoul National University have engineered a completely flat, wearable power source that forces heat to flow sideways to generate electricity, promising a battery-free future for smart clothing and health monitors. Thermoelectric generators produce power by capturing the temperature difference between a warm surface and a cooler environment. While these devices hold immense promise for continuously powering wearable electronics using human bo...

The new battery punctured with a nail (Image source: Sun, Y., Zuo, C., Wang, H. et al 2025; AI-edited) Researchers in China have developed a new lithium-ion battery design that virtually eliminates heat from thermal runaway, drastically reducing the fire risk from damaged batteries. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, which power a wide range of electronic devices from cars to smartwatches, pose a significant fire risk. When damaged, overcharged, or defective, they can undergo thermal runaway —...