Reviews & Analysis

Silicon-containing batteries are increasingly becoming a reality in the mass market, but their calendar aging behaviours have received comparatively little attention. Researchers from the Silicon Consortium Project discuss the issues surrounding the calendar lifetime of silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Adoption of distributed energy resources such as wind and solar can exacerbate energy inequality. A new study shows that inequality in opportunity to adopt renewable energy resources may already be baked into the grid infrastructure design.

The challenge of how to handle large volumes of silicon photovoltaic (PV) panels at the end of their 30-year lifetime is emerging. Now, a new study reveals that the efficacy of recycling and reuse interventions is underestimated if social factors such as the attitude of PV owners and the influence of peers are not considered.

Metal–organic framework (MOF) membranes could lower the energy burden of molecular separations, but are impeded by challenges in fabricating defect-free MOF layers. Now, researchers design an electrochemical approach for growing high-performance MOF membranes on industrially relevant substrates.

Understanding future costs of energy technologies is crucial for making good decisions about the energy transition. A new paper shows that some types of forecasts have done better than others.

Mechanical reliability of perovskite solar cells is an important factor in ensuring their operational stability, yet it remains a critical challenge. Researchers have now demonstrated that interfacial self-assembled monolayers increase adhesion toughness between the perovskite and charge-transport layers, enhancing the device stability.

A growing body of research has sought to provide a better understanding of the determinants of energy poverty and how best to assist vulnerable groups that are at greatest risk of being energy poor. A new study examines how policy reform away from fixed and age-based support helps address energy poverty in Australia.

Anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) potentially allow the use of cheap catalysts due to their alkaline environment, yet often large amounts of precious metals are employed. Now, a non-precious metal-based catalyst, specifically designed for alkaline media, is demonstrated in the cathode of a high-performing AEMFC.

Access to modern energy sources is essential for sustainable development and human well-being. However, a recent study uses a bottom-up model to show how lack of access persists until 2050 under different socioeconomic pathways and decarbonization scenarios.

Electrolyte materials that consist of metals with organic ligands represent a promising direction for flow battery research. Now, an iron complex with the combination of bipyridine and cyanide ligands is demonstrated to have improved voltage and solubility over the commonly used ferrocyanide couple.

Algorithms determine the effectiveness of battery storage, but have so far been designed for narrow techno-economic objectives with simplified assumptions of user needs. New research considers citizen preferences and develops six battery algorithms that support local economic benefits, decarbonization and explainability.

Voltage losses limit the performance of organic solar cells, yet their origins are not fully understood. Now, a theoretical model encompassing electronic state hybridization and thermal population of vibrational states explains the reduced non-radiative voltage losses in efficient non-fullerene acceptor systems.

The viability of electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction as a pathway for CO₂ utilization is contingent on developing selective processes towards high-value carbon-based chemicals. New work demonstrates a strategy to expand the possible products to carbonate esters by sequential redox cycles in a single electrochemical cell.

Climate change impacts the production of electricity including power generated from nuclear facilities. New research published in Nature Energy reports an increase in climate-related outages over the past few decades and projects the annual energy loss for the global fleet of nuclear generators decades into the future.

Despite intensive research in the development of lithium-metal batteries, combining high energy density and long cycle life is still a great challenge. Now, a deeper understanding of the degradation mechanisms at play in realistic cells may pave the way for practical applications of these batteries.

The doping of CdTe solar cells with group-V elements can improve long-term stability of the devices yet the open-circuit voltage is limited. Now, a low-temperature and solution-based doping method relying on group-V chloride salts may lead to new paths for efficiency improvement.

Electrification of truck fleets has been perceived as costly both in terms of vehicle and charging infrastructure investments. A new study shows that, with the right charging strategy, electrification of a short-haul delivery fleet does not require major investments in the electric grid substations.

Anode-free lithium metal batteries with liquid electrolytes could become a drop-in solution for making higher energy density and lower cost batteries with existing production facilities. Now, a synergistic approach is brought forward that bolsters the anode-free cells’ limited lithium inventory extending the cells’ cyclability.

Oxygen loss is an elusive phenomenon that accompanies oxygen redox in lithium-rich layered oxides in batteries. Now, multi-length-scale characterization reveals that oxygen originating from the oxide bulk is eventually released after prolonged cycling.

Theoretical modelling is essential to deepen our understanding of heterogeneous electrocatalytic energy conversion processes, such as water splitting. Here, Sharon Hammes-Schiffer and Giulia Galli offer their perspectives on the best strategies for successfully studying such systems.