Featured
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Giant energy storage and power density negative capacitance superlattices
Using a three-pronged approach — spanning field-driven negative capacitance stabilization to increase intrinsic energy storage, antiferroelectric superlattice engineering to increase total energy storage, and conformal three-dimensional deposition to increase areal energy storage density — very high electrostatic energy storage density and power density are reported in HfO2–ZrO2-based thin film microcapacitors integrated into silicon.
- Suraj S. Cheema
- , Nirmaan Shanker
- & Sayeef Salahuddin
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A rechargeable calcium–oxygen battery that operates at room temperature
A Ca–O2 battery that relies on a highly reversible two-electron redox to form chemically reactive calcium peroxide as the discharge product is reported to be stable in air and rechargeable for 700 cycles at room temperature.
- Lei Ye
- , Meng Liao
- & Huisheng Peng
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Article |
Recovery of isolated lithium through discharged state calendar ageing
Calendar ageing of lithium metal batteries in the discharged state improves capacity retention through isolated lithium recovery, which is in contrast with the capacity degradation observed during charged state calendar ageing.
- Wenbo Zhang
- , Philaphon Sayavong
- & Yi Cui
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Establishing reaction networks in the 16-electron sulfur reduction reaction
We investigate the mechanism underlying the sulfur reduction reaction that plays a central role in high-capacity lithium sulfur batteries, highlighting the electrocatalytic approach as a promising strategy for tackling the fundamental challenges associated with these batteries.
- Rongli Liu
- , Ziyang Wei
- & Xiangfeng Duan
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Article
| Open AccessThe persistence of memory in ionic conduction probed by nonlinear optics
Single-cycle terahertz pumps are used to impulsively trigger ionic hopping in battery solid electrolytes, probing ion transport at its fastest limit and demonstrating the connection between activated transport and the thermodynamics of information.
- Andrey D. Poletayev
- , Matthias C. Hoffmann
- & Aaron M. Lindenberg
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Article |
Ultralow-resistance electrochemical capacitor for integrable line filtering
A miniaturized narrow-channel in-plane electrochemical capacitor shows drastically reduced ionic resistances within both the electrode material and the electrolyte and an ultrahigh areal capacitance by downscaling the channel width with femtosecond-laser scribing.
- Yajie Hu
- , Mingmao Wu
- & Liangti Qu
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Article |
Interface design for all-solid-state lithium batteries
The inclusion of a Mg–Bi-based interlayer between the lithium metal and solid electrolyte and a F-rich interlayer on the cathode improves the stability and performance of solid-state lithium-metal batteries.
- Hongli Wan
- , Zeyi Wang
- & Chunsheng Wang
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Ultrafast deposition of faceted lithium polyhedra by outpacing SEI formation
We report the discovery of lithium metal’s intrinsic growth morphology, a rhombic dodecahedron, and leverage these rhombic dodecahedra as nucleation seeds for improved battery performance.
- Xintong Yuan
- , Bo Liu
- & Yuzhang Li
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Article |
Dendrite initiation and propagation in lithium metal solid-state batteries
Analysis of dendrite initiation, owing to filling of pores with lithium by means of microcracks, and propagation, caused by wedge opening, shows that there are two separate processes during dendrite failure of lithium metal solid-state batteries.
- Ziyang Ning
- , Guanchen Li
- & Peter G. Bruce
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Mapping internal temperatures during high-rate battery applications
The state of charge, mechanical strain and temperature within lithium-ion 18650 cells operated at high rates are characterized and operando temperature rise is observed to be due to heat accumulation, strongly influenced by cell design and charging protocol.
- T. M. M. Heenan
- , I. Mombrini
- & P. R. Shearing
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Electrolyte design for Li-ion batteries under extreme operating conditions
An electrolyte design strategy based on a group of soft solvents is used to achieve lithium-ion batteries that operate safely under extreme conditions without lithium plating and with the capability of fast charging.
- Jijian Xu
- , Jiaxun Zhang
- & Chunsheng Wang
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Article |
Strain-retardant coherent perovskite phase stabilized Ni-rich cathode
The introduction of a coherent perovskite phase into the layered structure of a lithium-ion battery reduces lattice strain and stress to produce a robust crystal structure.
- Liguang Wang
- , Tongchao Liu
- & Jun Lu
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Article |
Fast charging of energy-dense lithium-ion batteries
A new approach to charging energy-dense electric vehicle batteries, using temperature modulation with a dual-salt electrolyte, promises a range in excess of 500,000 miles using only rapid (under 12 minute) charges.
- Chao-Yang Wang
- , Teng Liu
- & Brian D. McCarthy
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Article |
Compositionally complex doping for zero-strain zero-cobalt layered cathodes
A compositionally complex (high-entropy) doping strategy is proposed to fabricate zero-strain high-Ni and Co-free layered cathodes with superior structural and mechanical stabilities and long cycle life.
- Rui Zhang
- , Chunyang Wang
- & Huolin L. Xin
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Article |
Electroreduction of nitrogen with almost 100% current-to-ammonia efficiency
A high-efficiency, robust process using a high-concentration imide-based lithium-salt electrolyte enables the electroreduction of nitrogen with stabilized ammonia yield rates of 150 ± 20 nmol s−1 cm−2 and a current-to-ammonia efficiency that is close to 100%.
- Hoang-Long Du
- , Manjunath Chatti
- & Alexandr N. Simonov
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Article |
Origin of structural degradation in Li-rich layered oxide cathode
Diffractive imaging of an important class of battery electrodes during cycling shows that lattice strain is a crucial yet overlooked factor that contributes to voltage fade over time.
- Tongchao Liu
- , Jiajie Liu
- & Khalil Amine
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Article
| Open AccessThermophotovoltaic efficiency of 40%
Two-junction TPV cells with efficiencies of more than 40% are reported, using an emitter with a temperature between 1,900 and 2,400 °C, for integration into a TPV system for thermal energy grid storage.
- Alina LaPotin
- , Kevin L. Schulte
- & Asegun Henry
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Article |
Metastable hexagonal close-packed palladium hydride in liquid cell TEM
A metastable palladium hydride is synthesized where the unique environment in the liquid cell, namely the limited quantity of Pd precursors and the continuous supply of H, resulted in the formation of the hcp phase.
- Jaeyoung Hong
- , Jee-Hwan Bae
- & Dong Won Chun
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Perspective |
Towards enduring autonomous robots via embodied energy
The concept of 'Embodied Energy'—in which the components of a robot or device both store energy and provide a mechanical or structural function—is put forward, along with specific robot-design principles.
- Cameron A. Aubin
- , Benjamin Gorissen
- & Robert F. Shepherd
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Perspective |
The challenges and opportunities of battery-powered flight
The economic, technical, environmental and safety requirements of battery-powered aircraft are considered, and promising technologies and future prospects for battery innovation are discussed.
- Venkatasubramanian Viswanathan
- , Alan H. Epstein
- & Michael Winter
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Article |
Elastomeric electrolytes for high-energy solid-state lithium batteries
An elastomeric solid-state electrolyte shows desirable mechanical properties and high electrochemical stability, and is used to demonstrate a high-energy solid-state lithium battery at ambient temperature.
- Michael J. Lee
- , Junghun Han
- & Seung Woo Lee
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Scalable production of high-performing woven lithium-ion fibre batteries
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries produced in the form of metre-long fibres can be woven into sturdy, washable textiles on an industrial loom and used to power other fabric-based electronic components.
- Jiqing He
- , Chenhao Lu
- & Huisheng Peng
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Article |
Rechargeable Na/Cl2 and Li/Cl2 batteries
Rechargeable Na/Cl2 and Li/Cl2 batteries are produced with a microporous carbon positive electrode, aluminium chloride in thionyl chloride as the electrolyte, and either sodium or lithium as the negative electrode.
- Guanzhou Zhu
- , Xin Tian
- & Hongjie Dai
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Article |
Tomographic reconstruction of oxygen orbitals in lithium-rich battery materials
High-energy X-ray Compton measurements and first-principles modelling reveal how the electronic orbital responsible for the reversible anionic redox activity can be imaged and visualized, and its character and symmetry determined.
- Hasnain Hafiz
- , Kosuke Suzuki
- & Venkatasubramanian Viswanathan
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A dynamic stability design strategy for lithium metal solid state batteries
A multi-layered electrolyte, in which a less stable electrolyte is sandwiched between two electrolyte layers that are more stable, can inhibit the growth of lithium dendrites in highly pressurized solid-state lithium metal batteries.
- Luhan Ye
- & Xin Li
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Article |
Polypeptide organic radical batteries
An environmentally friendly, all-organic radical battery is demonstrated, in which redox-active polypeptides perform as both cathode and anode materials, with a metal-free organic electrolyte.
- Tan P. Nguyen
- , Alexandra D. Easley
- & Karen L. Wooley
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Article |
A highly stable and flexible zeolite electrolyte solid-state Li–air battery
Flexible, stable and energy-dense solid-state Li–air batteries are realised using ultrathin, chemically inert ion-conductive zeolite membranes as a solid electrolyte.
- Xiwen Chi
- , Malin Li
- & Jihong Yu
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Article |
Diversity-oriented synthesis of polymer membranes with ion solvation cages
A diversity-oriented synthesis approach that yields a library of architecturally broad microporous polymers is used to develop structurally diverse polymer membranes with ion specificity and to screen their properties.
- Miranda J. Baran
- , Mark E. Carrington
- & Brett A. Helms
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Article |
A disordered rock salt anode for fast-charging lithium-ion batteries
A vanadium-based lithium-rich disordered rock salt oxide is shown to work as a low-potential anode with rapid intercalation kinetics for lithium-ion batteries.
- Haodong Liu
- , Zhuoying Zhu
- & Ping Liu
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Article |
Superstructure control of first-cycle voltage hysteresis in oxygen-redox cathodes
In oxygen-redox intercalation cathodes, voltage hysteresis can be avoided by forming cathode materials with a ‘ribbon’ superstructure in the transition metal layers that suppresses transition metal migration.
- Robert A. House
- , Urmimala Maitra
- & Peter G. Bruce
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Review Article |
Recycling lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles
Processes for dismantling and recycling lithium-ion battery packs from scrap electric vehicles are outlined.
- Gavin Harper
- , Roberto Sommerville
- & Paul Anderson
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Article |
Electrolytic vascular systems for energy-dense robots
An energy-dense hydraulic fluid is used to construct a synthetic circulatory system in a lionfish-like soft robot, enabling untethered movement for up to 36 hours.
- Cameron A. Aubin
- , Snehashis Choudhury
- & Robert F. Shepherd
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Letter |
Aqueous Li-ion battery enabled by halogen conversion–intercalation chemistry in graphite
Composite cathodes created by anionic redox reactions of bromine and chlorine intercalated into graphite, combined with water-in-salt electrolyte and graphite anodes, provide aqueous lithium-ion batteries with improved energy density.
- Chongyin Yang
- , Ji Chen
- & Chunsheng Wang
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Article |
Niobium tungsten oxides for high-rate lithium-ion energy storage
Micrometre-sized particles of two niobium tungsten oxides have high volumetric capacities and rate performances, enabled by very high lithium-ion diffusion coefficients.
- Kent J. Griffith
- , Kamila M. Wiaderek
- & Clare P. Grey
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Letter |
Thickness-independent capacitance of vertically aligned liquid-crystalline MXenes
Electrode films prepared from a liquid-crystal phase of vertically aligned two-dimensional titanium carbide show electrochemical energy storage that is nearly independent of film thickness.
- Yu Xia
- , Tyler S. Mathis
- & Shu Yang
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Letter |
A lithium–oxygen battery with a long cycle life in an air-like atmosphere
A lithium–oxygen battery, comprising a lithium carbonate-based protected anode, a molybdenum disulfide cathode and an ionic liquid/dimethyl sulfoxide electrolyte, operates in a simulated air atmosphere with a long cycle life of up to 700 cycles.
- Mohammad Asadi
- , Baharak Sayahpour
- & Amin Salehi-Khojin
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Article |
Pumping liquid metal at high temperatures up to 1,673 kelvin
By using ceramics for the mechanical and sealing components of a mechanical pump, liquid metal can be circulated continuously at temperatures at least as high as 1,673 kelvin.
- C. Amy
- , D. Budenstein
- & A. Henry