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Electrochemical ammonia (NH3) synthesis is a promising alternative to the Haber–Bosch process, but higher-performing systems are needed. Now, researchers realize long-term continuous NH3 electrosynthesis and production of high fractions of gas-phase NH3 by employing a chain ether as solvent, marking an important practical step forward.
The Solar Mamas programme for energy transition in Zanzibar, Tanzania, has been analysed through a combined lens of care and epistemic injustice. The case study illustrates that interventions that centre energy care work and its gendered dimensions in locally led energy-transition initiatives can disrupt established gender norms and produce better project outcomes.
Achieving net zero implies the electrification of heat and transport, causing challenges for electricity networks. We used geographically disaggregated data to map estimated network impacts across 40,000 local areas across Great Britain and explore ways of avoiding them through local flexibility.
Ion migration is generally understood to detrimentally impact the operational stability of perovskite solar cells, yet the underlying mechanism is not fully clear. By decoupling ion migration from other effects, research now shows that electric field screening induced by mobile ions is a dominant contributor to efficiency loss during solar cell ageing.
A key issue in net energy analysis is the omission of the effects of end-use efficiencies on the energy returns of technologies. Now, an analysis shows that these effects strongly favour the energy returns of wind power and solar photovoltaics, which are found to be higher than those of fossil fuels.
Large scale cellulosic biofuel production involves complex interactions between biomass supply, biorefineries and the networks that connect them. New fine-scale spatially explicit modelling seeks to better understand how these components could best integrate with carbon capture to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and optimize biofuel supply chains.
The solvation structure of an electrolyte and the resulting interphase are crucial for lithium-metal battery performance. Now, an electrochemically inert diluent, designed to selectively interact with electrolyte anions, aids in the formation of an inorganic-rich bilayer interphase, thereby improving cyclability and extending calendar life.
Realizing fast-charging and energy-dense lithium-ion batteries remains a challenge. Now, a porous current collector has been conceptualized that halves the effective lithium-ion diffusion distance and quadruples the diffusion-limited rate capability of batteries to achieve fast charging without compromising the energy density.
Achieving good electrical contact without damaging underlying layers is critical to the performance of photovoltaic modules. Research now reports a silver electrode embedded into a polymer matrix and a silver/chromium protection layer, enabling over 14%-efficient flexible organic photovoltaic modules with improved stability under illumination.
Ensuring rooftop solar photovoltaics are deployed equitably requires understanding who installs, where, and when. Through assessment of satellite imagery data, research offers a glimpse into solar rooftop photovoltaics deployment inequity in non-residential buildings in the US, revealing challenges and opportunities ahead for a just energy transition.
Ultralightweight perovskite solar cells that achieve a specific power of up to 44 W g–1 and good stability are developed through engineering of the photoactive layer and substrate. These solar cells can be integrated into a drone to enable energy-autonomous flight.
Aqueous batteries have drawbacks related to their low energy densities. Now, highly concentrated hetero-halogen electrolytes can be used to enable fast multielectron transfer, leading to cost-effective, reversible and high-energy-density aqueous batteries.
The shift towards low-carbon heating technologies and associated infrastructure often disrupts citizens’ lives. Research now demonstrates how the socio-psychological context may influence the circumstances under which citizens are willing to accept heating transitions and related construction work, and those where reactance and rejection is to be expected.
The activation barriers of interfacial energy conversion reactions are key to controlling the efficiency of electrolysers. Work on the structural dynamics of water during charge transfer at electrified solid/liquid interfaces now brings greater understanding of the components of the activation barriers for water dissociation and hydrogen evolution.
One of the major challenges in realizing lithium (Li)-metal batteries is the instability of Li metal in the electrolyte. Now, a study unveils the significant role of lithium oxide in protecting Li metal, thereby contributing to stable battery operation.
Pay-as-you-go energy systems are a promising market-based approach to paying for energy in small amounts in sub-Saharan Africa; however, implementation and the suitability of current business models show room for improvement. This Perspective outlines an agenda for more inclusive PAYG systems.
Wide band gap perovskite solar cells suffer from halide segregation, which hampers their use in tandem solar cells. Now, researchers develop an additive with redox and defect passivating capabilities to suppress halide migration, enabling perovskite–organic tandems with over 25% efficiency.
Using a hybrid fixture, application of an appropriate external pressure on Li-metal pouch cells with a liquid electrolyte considerably reduces cell swelling. Mapping of the pressure distribution across the cell surface provides insight into the electroplating process that could inform strategies to overcome uneven Li plating on the Li-metal surface.
During extreme storms, the failure of a small fraction of transmission lines can trigger a cascade of outages in a power grid. Going beyond static approaches, it is now demonstrated that resolving the spatio-temporal interactions between the storm and the power grid is key to identifying these critical lines.
Recycling spent batteries is crucial for a circular battery economy, yet knowledge of solid-state battery (SSB) recycling lags behind that of lithium-ion batteries. This study evaluates SSB recycling techniques, emphasizing the need for specific, energy-efficient methods tailored to distinct electrolytes.
