Energy harvesting that are able to operate in higher temperature gradients, and that can conduct electricity well without also conducting heat (something that was until recently thought impossible ), will result in increased efficiency. Future work in thermoelectrics could be to convert wasted heat, such as in automobile engine combustion, into electricity. This type of harvesting is based on the changing capacitance of vibration-dependent capacitors. Vibrations separate the plates of a charged variable capacitor, and mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy. Electrostatic energy harvesters need a polarization source to work and to convert mechanical energy from vibrations into electricity. The polarization
Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle Adult Science Book category, presented by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Subaru. "Feathers" was listed among the top ten best books of 2011 in the Sci-Tech category by the "Library Journal". "Feathers" received the John Burroughs Medal in 2013, which is awarded annually by the John Burroughs Association to "the author of a distinguished book of natural history". Reception to "Feathers" has been positive. Amanda Katz, in a review published by "The New York Times", wrote that because "Feathers" is a work of synthesis, bird enthusiasts will find the book's content already "familiar", but noted that