Because the two materials exhibit a high thermal conductivity, they allow the device to cool more efficiently while distributing said heat -- 25 percent quicker than the pure copper in many pieces of tech.

ENGADGET: NC State researcher finds more efficient way to cool devices, looks to cut costs too

The second desideratum, of low thermal and high electrical conductivity, was achieved by dividing the bismuth telluride into pellets a few nanometres across.

ECONOMIST: Solar power

The properties of such sheets can be adjusted to create a smart skin with conductivity, hardness or thermal resistance that varies across the thickness of the coating making them ideal for miniature sensors.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR