Researchers at MIT and Boston College <a title="have developed" href="http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2008-03/generating-energy-recycling-semiconductors" id="jk18">have developed</a> a low-cost, nanotechnology technique that could lead to significant energy conservation. The scientists have improved a semiconductor alloy to promote thermoelectric efficiency. The alloy can be produced in bulk to make a range of products run more cleanly, including car exhaust systems. The alloy would enable products to consume less energy and use energy that would otherwise be wasted.<br><br>Details of the technique used to develop the inexpensive, environmentally friendly alloy were published Thursday in the journal <a title="Science" href="http://www.sciencemag.org/sciencexpress/recent.dtl" id="ruz4">Science</a>. According to <a title="MIT and Boston College" href="http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/thermoelectric-0320.html" id="hlbj">MIT and Boston College</a>, the technique is "a key milestone in the quest to harness the thermoelectric effect, which has both enticed and frustrated scientists since its discovery in the early 19th century."<br><br>This has been a good week for MIT. <a title="Earlier this week" href="http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/ldx-tt0319.html" id="eupu">Earlier this week</a>, an MIT team successfully tested a new reactor that takes a new approach to nuclear fusion. If scientists can use the reactor to create sustained fusion — by using the right <a title="materials" href="http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/ldx-tt0319.html" id="ls1_">materials</a> in the right temperature, pressure, and density conditions — it could become a safe and vast source of energy, sans carbon emissions. <br><br>Both projects are funded by the Dept. of Energy.<br