Reviews & Analysis

For the well informed, taking actions to curb energy consumption from household appliances is uncomplicated. Now, research shows that simple information provision interventions can correct consumer misperceptions of the energy consumed by common appliances, offering hope to the rest of us.

The development of passivating contacts holds great potential for enhancing the power conversion efficiency of silicon photovoltaics. Here, De Wolf et al. review recent advances in material design and device architecture, and discuss technical challenges to industrial fabrication.

Large-scale electrolytic production of hydrogen from water using renewable energy will require solutions to issues that arise when using intermittent power, such as gas mixing and low efficiency. To this end, an electrolysis system is now described that decouples the gas generation reactions and uses thermal energy to drive oxygen evolution.

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to fuels could be used as an approach to store renewable energy in the form of chemical energy. Here, Birdja et al. review current understanding of electrocatalytic systems and reaction pathways for these conversions.

Solar-driven photocatalytic water splitting provides a clean pathway for production of hydrogen fuel. This Review examines both amorphous and crystalline polymeric materials for water splitting, exploring polymer design strategies, theoretical understanding and challenges for the field.

Electrochemically reducing CO₂ into value-added chemicals could contribute to CO₂ recycling while storing renewable energy. However, reaction products are typically mixed with additional solutes in the liquid electrolyte. Now, a cell that uses a solid electrolyte is shown to produce pure liquid fuel solutions from CO₂.

Ultrathin III–V solar cells are sought after for their relatively low cost and potential novel applications such as hot-carrier solar cells, but currently suffer from low power-conversion efficiency. Now, light-trapping nanostructures have been demonstrated to enable efficiency of 19.9% in a 205-nm-thick GaAs solar cell.

A conventional lithium-ion battery makes use of both an anode and a cathode. Now, a new design of batteries with no anodes in their initial state is shown to be promising for practical applications.

Reversible anion redox is widely accepted as the origin for the extra capacity of Li-excess cathode materials. Here, the authors analyse the literature and theorize that the oxidation of Mn beyond the +4 state could be responsible for the extra capacity of Li-excess Mn oxides.

The optimization of building envelopes plays a substantial role in reducing global energy consumption and meeting energy and climate targets. Now, a dynamic photovoltaic building envelope has been demonstrated to improve building energy self-sufficiency, while adapting to changing weather conditions and occupant needs.

An unwelcome effect of rapid industrialization in China over the past 60 years has been the rise in air pollution. Researchers now estimate how the solar dimming caused by pollution reduced the potential for solar energy generation in China. However, reduction of pollution to 1960s levels can increase this potential significantly.

India has distributed subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections to the poor at a hitherto unseen pace. However, it has been unclear whether this successfully supports a shift away from solid fuel. Research now shows that connection subsidy alone is not enough to promote sustained LPG consumption among rural poor households.

Fossil fuels have long been considered cheap compared to other energy sources, such as solar or wind. Researchers now show that with easy-to-access fossil fuels running out, the more productive renewables may be approaching and even exceeding oil and gas in net energy generation in many cases.

Understanding dendrite formation is key to advancing high-energy-density and safe metallic lithium batteries. With the help of cryogenic electron microscopy, heat is now suggested to play a crucial role in stabilizing lithium metal electrodes by suppressing dendrite growth.

For emerging photovoltaic technologies to become commercially and technically viable, it is important to understand how performance in the laboratory translates to the field. A new study analyses the yearly changes in the energy yield of perovskite solar cells under simulated realistic temperature and irradiance conditions.

Lead in perovskite solar cells is a potential environmental and health hazard if it is released from accidentally damaged panels. Now, the encapsulation of perovskite solar cells with self-healing polymers is shown to significantly reduce the risk of lead leakage from hail impact under a variety of weather conditions.

Photocatalytic H₂ production using semiconductors is a promising approach to store solar energy as a chemical fuel, but the oxidizing power of the excited holes is often wasted. Now, holes are harnessed in a dehydrocoupling strategy that simultaneously produces H₂ and diesel fuel precursors from biomass-derived molecules.

Along with high energy density, fast-charging ability would enable battery-powered electric vehicles. Here Yi Cui and colleagues review battery materials requirements for fast charging and discuss future design strategies.

Biomass cooking will continue for the foreseeable future in most developing countries. However, inefficient cookstoves have a negative impact on well-being. While controversy surrounds whether improved biomass cookstoves effectively address this, a new study shows that they may offer economic and health benefits.

Public responses to new energy technologies can influence adoption and deployment. This Review brings together research on public perceptions of and responses to a wide range of energy technologies around the themes of technology, people, place and process.