Featured
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| Open AccessTemperature-dependent interphase formation and Li+ transport in lithium metal batteries
High-performance lithium metal batteries operating below −20 °C are desired but hindered by slow reaction kinetics. Here, the authors uncover the temperature-dependent Li+ behavior and interphase formation in liquid electrolytes and provide directions to enhance the low temperature performance.
- Suting Weng
- , Xiao Zhang
- & Xuefeng Wang
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Article
| Open AccessContinuous estimation of power system inertia using convolutional neural networks
The increase of intermittent energy sources and renewable energy penetration generally results in reduced overall inertia, making power systems susceptible to disturbances. Here, authors develop an AI-based method to estimate inertia in real-time and test its performance on a heterogeneous power network.
- Daniele Linaro
- , Federico Bizzarri
- & Angelo M. Brambilla
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Article
| Open AccessA recyclable biomass electrolyte towards green zinc-ion batteries
Functional hydrogel electrolytes show promising potential for enhancing the sustainability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Here, the authors introduce a biomass-based hydrogel electrolyte that not only prevents side reactions on the zinc anode but also enables easy retrieval from the zinc batteries.
- Hongyu Lu
- , Jisong Hu
- & Bingang Xu
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Article
| Open AccessCovalent organic frameworks for direct photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide from water, air and sunlight
Solar-driven photosynthesis is a green and sustainable process for hydrogen peroxide production. Here the authors report that optimizing the intramolecular polarity of COFs can greatly boost H2O2 photosynthesis from water, air, and sunlight.
- Fuyang Liu
- , Peng Zhou
- & Jinren Ni
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Article
| Open AccessAluminum foil negative electrodes with multiphase microstructure for all-solid-state Li-ion batteries
Aluminum-based negative electrodes could enable high-energy-density batteries, but their charge storage performance is limited. Here, the authors show that dense aluminum electrodes with controlled microstructure exhibit long-term cycling stability in all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries.
- Yuhgene Liu
- , Congcheng Wang
- & Matthew T. McDowell
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Article
| Open AccessLong-term durability of metastable β-Fe2O3 photoanodes in highly corrosive seawater
Achieving long-term stable photoelectrochemical water decomposition in highly corrosive seawater remains a challenge. Here, the authors report a strategy for enhancing metal-oxygen interaction to achieve high stability of metastable β-Fe2O3 photoelectrochemical seawater splitting.
- Changhao Liu
- , Ningsi Zhang
- & Zhigang Zou
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Article
| Open AccessProduction of gas-releasing electrolyte-replenishing Ah-scale zinc metal pouch cells with aqueous gel electrolyte
The production of large-format aqueous Zn batteries is hindered by electrolyte consumption, hydrogen gas evolution and Zn dendrites growth during cycling. Here, the authors propose a specific pouch cell design capable of releasing hydrogen gas and refilling the electrolyte components.
- Feifei Wang
- , Jipeng Zhang
- & Quan-Hong Yang
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Article
| Open Access3D hierarchical graphene matrices enable stable Zn anodes for aqueous Zn batteries
Uncontrolled dendrite growth and severe side reactions at high capacities and rates impede its practical application for zinc metal anodes. Here, the authors propose a composite zinc anode with 3D hierarchical graphene matrix as a multifunctional host to regulate zinc deposition for aqueous zinc batteries.
- Yongbiao Mu
- , Zheng Li
- & Lin Zeng
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Article
| Open AccessTailoring a local acid-like microenvironment for efficient neutral hydrogen evolution
The development of neutral hydrogen evolution catalysts is challenging due to their sluggish kinetics. Here the authors report HxWO3 support which acts as proton sponge to create a local acid-like microenvironment around Ir sites, realizing acid-like hydrogen evolution rate in neutral media.
- Xiaozhong Zheng
- , Xiaoyun Shi
- & Yong Wang
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessReply to: The impact of thermodynamics when using a catalyst for conventional carbon capture solvent regeneration
- Masood S. Alivand
- , Geoffrey W. Stevens
- & Kathryn A. Mumford
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessThe impact of thermodynamics when using a catalyst for conventional carbon capture solvent regeneration
- Frédérick de Meyer
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Article
| Open Access2D MXenes polar catalysts for multi-renewable energy harvesting applications
MXene materials are regarded as versatile catalysts for multi-energy utilization, however, designing a single system for multiple energy harvesting applications is challenging. Here, the authors theoretically and experimentally validate the utilization of multiple energy sources by MXene materials.
- Xiaoyang Pan
- , Xuhui Yang
- & Zhenfeng Bian
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Article
| Open AccessAll-polymer organic solar cells with nano-to-micron hierarchical morphology and large light receiving angle
A large light-receiving angle in planar solar cells is crucial for flexible installation of distributed photovoltaics. Here, authors report sequential-processed all-polymer solar cells with nano-sized phase separation integrated in micro-sized surface topology and maximum efficiency of over 19%.
- Rui Zeng
- , Lei Zhu
- & Feng Liu
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Article
| Open AccessActive self-assembly of piezoelectric biomolecular films via synergistic nanoconfinement and in-situ poling
Piezoelectric biomaterials are limited by the challenges in domain orientation alignment and a weak piezoelectric effect. Here, Zhang et. al. present an active self-assembly strategy via nanoconfinement and in-situ poling, to obtain large-scale, high performance piezoelectric β-glycine nanocrystalline films.
- Zhuomin Zhang
- , Xuemu Li
- & Zhengbao Yang
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Article
| Open AccessRealizing long-cycling all-solid-state Li-In||TiS2 batteries using Li6+xMxAs1-xS5I (M=Si, Sn) sulfide solid electrolytes
Stable inorganic solid-state electrolytes are crucial for reliable all-solid-state battery development. Here, the authors report a Li-In|Li6.8Si0.8As0.2S5I|Ti2S lab-scale cell with a long cycle life of almost 62500 cycles at 2.44 mA cm−2, 30 °C and 30 MPa.
- Pushun Lu
- , Yu Xia
- & Fan Wu
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Article
| Open AccessWeakly coordinated Li ion in single-ion-conductor-based composite enabling low electrolyte content Li-metal batteries
The reactivity between lithium and a liquid electrolyte leads to degradation of a lithium metal battery, resulting in the depletion of the liquid electrolyte. Here, authors develop a composite layer that can mitigate the reactivity and consequently enable long-cycling lithium metal batteries.
- Hyeokjin Kwon
- , Hyun-Ji Choi
- & Hee-Tak Kim
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Article
| Open AccessDynamic gel as artificial interphase layer for ultrahigh-rate and large-capacity lithium metal anode
Achieving stable lithium metal anodes under large current densities over 10 mA cm−2 and area capacities over 10 mAh cm−2 remains a critical challenge. Here, authors propose a dynamic gel as protect layer for lithium metal anode to facilitate with the Young’s modulus, flexibility and ionic conductivity, thus to stabilize the lithium metal anode.
- Chao Chen
- , Jiaming Zhang
- & Xunhui Xiong
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Article
| Open AccessHow to make climate-neutral aviation fly
Europe’s aviation must reduce more than just flight CO2 emissions to achieve net-zero. Synthetic fuels and carbon capture and storage could help but decreasing air traffic is crucial due to non-CO2 climate impacts and resource constraints.
- Romain Sacchi
- , Viola Becattini
- & Marco Mazzotti
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Article
| Open AccessUltrasensitive mechanical/thermal response of a P(VDF-TrFE) sensor with a tailored network interconnection interface
The piezoelectric and pyroelectric coefficients of ferroelectric materials are critical to improving the sensitivity and detection limit in sensing. Here, the authors report an interface engineering strategy using a PEDOT:PSS penetrating electrode, that realizes high pressure and temperature sensitivity.
- Bo Li
- , Chuanyang Cai
- & Weishu Liu
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Article
| Open AccessLaser maskless fast patterning for multitype microsupercapacitors
Miniature asymmetric supercapacitors have higher voltage and energy density but are often limited by a complex manufacturing process and difficulties in further miniaturization. Here, the authors demonstrate a maskless method for the patterned fabrication of submicron-scale symmetric and asymmetric supercapacitors.
- Yongjiu Yuan
- , Xin Li
- & Liangti Qu
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Article
| Open AccessA solution-to-solid conversion chemistry enables ultrafast-charging and long-lived molten salt aluminium batteries
Conventional solid-to-solid conversion cathodes in rechargeable aluminium batteries suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics and cumulative structural degradation. Here the authors disclose a solution-to-solid conversion chemistry using molten salt electrolytes to achieve fast-charging capability and good cycling stability.
- Jiashen Meng
- , Xuhui Yao
- & Quanquan Pang
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Article
| Open AccessLean-water hydrogel electrolyte for zinc ion batteries
Excess water in hydrogel-based zinc ion batteries causes side reactions, but reduced water content results in low conductivities. Here, authors develop a lean-water hydrogel based on molecular lubrication mechanism for fast ion transportation, extended stability, and reversible Zinc plating/stripping.
- Yanbo Wang
- , Qing Li
- & Chunyi Zhi
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Article
| Open AccessFundamental investigations on the ionic transport and thermodynamic properties of non-aqueous potassium-ion electrolytes
K-ion batteries may have rate advantages over Li-ion batteries due to the larger size of the cation. Here, the authors characterize the ionic transport and thermodynamic properties of non-aqueous K-ion electrolyte solutions demonstrating higher K-ion mobility than the Li-ion counterpart.
- Shobhan Dhir
- , Ben Jagger
- & Mauro Pasta
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Article
| Open AccessIntegrated halide perovskite photoelectrochemical cells with solar-driven water-splitting efficiency of 20.8%
High-efficiency photoelectrodes, which integrate light absorption with catalysis, have been limited to costly materials. Here, the authors develop an anticorrosion barrier that enables low-cost semiconductors for integrated solar fuel devices with 20.8% solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency.
- Austin M. K. Fehr
- , Ayush Agrawal
- & Aditya D. Mohite
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Article
| Open AccessAsymmetric dinitrogen-coordinated nickel single-atomic sites for efficient CO2 electroreduction
Rational design of electrocatalysts for selective CO2 conversion is of great interests. Here the authors show that Ni single atom with asymmetric pyrrolic and pyridinic nitrogen for efficient CO2 electroconversion to CO.
- Yuzhu Zhou
- , Quan Zhou
- & Li Song
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Article
| Open AccessEmbedding oxophilic rare-earth single atom in platinum nanoclusters for efficient hydrogen electro-oxidation
Exploring enhanced catalysts for alkaline hydrogen oxidation with high catalytic activity and CO tolerance is highly desired yet challenging. Here, the authors report single-atom lanthanide embedded Pt nanoclusters with high activities and durability.
- Xiaoning Wang
- , Yanfu Tong
- & Wei Xing
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Article
| Open AccessA family of oxychloride amorphous solid electrolytes for long-cycling all-solid-state lithium batteries
Developing amorphous solid electrolytes for solid state lithium batteries is challenging due to limited understanding of disordered structures. Here, the authors report a family of oxychloride amorphous solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivities and promising electrochemical characteristics.
- Shumin Zhang
- , Feipeng Zhao
- & Xueliang Sun
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Article
| Open AccessEndogenous learning for green hydrogen in a sector-coupled energy model for Europe
This study highlights the importance of including learning-by-doing for hydrogen production in energy models. It reveals that scaling up renewable capacities and electrolysis faster than the EU’s REPowerEU Plan can be cost-effective under strict climate targets, reducing hydrogen production costs and shifting from grey to green hydrogen.
- Elisabeth Zeyen
- , Marta Victoria
- & Tom Brown
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Article
| Open AccessBridging multiscale interfaces for developing ionically conductive high-voltage iron sulfate-containing sodium-based battery positive electrodes
Sluggish kinetics is a major challenge for iron-based sulfate electrode materials. Here, the authors report multiscale interface engineering to build continuous Na-ion transfer channels at all length scales by designing ionic conductors inside bulk and low-electron-density exposed crystal surfaces.
- Jiyu Zhang
- , Yongliang Yan
- & Weihua Chen
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Article
| Open AccessCarbon neutral hydrogen storage and release cycles based on dual-functional roles of formamides
The search for new carbon-based hydrogen storage materials attracts scientists from various disciplines. Now, carbon-neutral hydrogen storage-release is reported based on dual-functional roles of formamides and uses non-noble, Fe-based catalyst.
- Duo Wei
- , Xinzhe Shi
- & Matthias Beller
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Article
| Open AccessDirect observation of hot-electron-enhanced thermoelectric effects in silicon nanodevices
Thermoelectric property of silicon itself is important for the thermal management of post-Moore nanoelectronics. Here, Xue et al directly observe unconventional thermoelectric cooling/heating effects enhanced by hot electrons in silicon nanodevices.
- Huanyi Xue
- , Ruijie Qian
- & Wei Lu
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Article
| Open AccessA fluorinated cation introduces new interphasial chemistries to enable high-voltage lithium metal batteries
Fluorides have been identified as a key ingredient in interphases supporting aggressive battery chemistries. Here, the authors show a positive charged organic cation carrying fluorine populates at the inner Helmholtz layer of the electrode and contributes to the interphasial chemistry.
- Qian Liu
- , Wei Jiang
- & Zhengcheng Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessProduction of high-energy 6-Ah-level Li | |LiNi0.83Co0.11Mn0.06O2 multi-layer pouch cells via negative electrode protective layer coating strategy
Stable lithium metal electrodes are needed to produce high-energy batteries. Here, authors reported poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate-co-sodium benzenesulfonate) as a lithium metal protective layer and the production of a 490 Wh/kg class Li | |LiNi0.83Co0.11Mn0.06O2 pouch cell.
- Yangyang Feng
- , Yong Li
- & Yaobing Wang
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Article
| Open AccessFe/Cu diatomic catalysts for electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia
Nitrate electroreduction to ammonia can decrease pollutants and produce high-value ammonia. Here, the authors design a Fe/Cu diatomic catalyst on nitrogen-doped graphene, which exhibits high catalytic activities of and selectivity for ammonia.
- Shuo Zhang
- , Jianghua Wu
- & Jun Lu
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Article
| Open AccessUnderstanding capacity fade in organic redox-flow batteries by combining spectroscopy with statistical inference techniques
Organic redox-flow batteries have the potential to cheaply store renewable electricity at grid scale but require further development. Here, the authors show that combining spectroscopic measurements with statistical inference techniques can shed light on why these batteries lose capacity over time.
- Sanat Vibhas Modak
- , Wanggang Shen
- & David G. Kwabi
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| Open AccessPrediction of sub-pyramid texturing as the next step towards high efficiency silicon heterojunction solar cells
The unexpected crystalline silicon epitaxial growth and interfacial nanotwins formation remain a challenging issue for silicon heterojunction technology. Here, the authors design a hybrid interface by tuning pyramid apex-angle to improve c-Si/a-Si:H interfacial morphology in silicon solar cells.
- Feihong Chu
- , Xianlin Qu
- & Yongzhe Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessEnabling long-cycling aqueous sodium-ion batteries via Mn dissolution inhibition using sodium ferrocyanide electrolyte additive
Mn-based Prussian blue is an ideal positive electrode material for aqueous sodium-ion batteries but still suffers from Mn dissolution. Here, the authors introduce an Mn-ion trapping agent as an electrolyte additive to produce a 94 Wh kg−1 Na-ion aqueous battery with a long lifespan.
- Zhaoheng Liang
- , Fei Tian
- & Chengxin Wang
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Article
| Open AccessElectric double layer-mediated polarization field for optimizing photogenerated carrier dynamics and thermodynamics
Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency is limited due to unfavorable carrier dynamics and thermodynamic performance. Here, the authors report an electric double-layer-mediated polarization field to improve carrier dynamics and optimize the thermodynamics by regulating the coordination of surface atoms.
- Chengxin Zhou
- , Jian Gao
- & Chuan Xia
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Article
| Open AccessPhenanthroline-carbolong interface suppress chemical interactions with active layer enabling long-time stable organic solar cells
Interfacial engineering is an effective strategy to improve efficiency of organic solar cells. Here, the authors report two alcohol-soluble cathode interfacial materials based on carbolong and achieve device efficiency of 21.7% and long thermal stability in perovskite/organic tandem solar cells.
- Xue Lai,
- , Shiyan Chen,
- & Feng He
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Article
| Open AccessResolving nanostructure and chemistry of solid-electrolyte interphase on lithium anodes by depth-sensitive plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
The solid-electrolyte interphase is crucial for most batteries, but its characterization is challenging. Here, authors develop a depth-sensitive plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy method to enable in-situ and nondestructive resolving of its structure and chemistry as well as formation mechanisms.
- Yu Gu
- , En-Ming You
- & Bing-Wei Mao
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Article
| Open AccessCoordination modulation of hydrated zinc ions to enhance redox reversibility of zinc batteries
Zinc-based batteries suffer from the dendrite growth and surface passivation of zinc derived from the unfavourable deposition and side reactions. Here, the authors modulate the coordination chemistry of hydrated zinc ions via electrolyte-design and gain insights into the reversible cycling of long-lived zinc electrode.
- Song Chen
- , Deluo Ji
- & Jintao Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessLow-spin state of Fe in Fe-doped NiOOH electrocatalysts
Although Fe doping boosts the electrocatalytic performance of NiOOH materials for the oxygen evolution reaction, the underlying mechanism has been not well understood. Here, the authors reveal Fe low-spin state configuration as a main driver of this electrochemical phenomenon.
- Zheng-Da He
- , Rebekka Tesch
- & Piotr M. Kowalski
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Article
| Open AccessAccelerating the solar-thermal energy storage via inner-light supplying with optical waveguide
Phase change material for solar-thermal energy storage is widely studied to counter the mismatch between supply and demand in solar energy utilization. Here, authors introduce optical waveguide to regulate the solar-thermal conversion interface to enable the fast energy harvesting in solar-thermal energy storage system.
- Yafang Zhang
- , Jiebin Tang
- & Guobin Xue
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-efficiency bio-inspired hybrid multi-generation photovoltaic leaf
Most sunlight received by photovoltaic panels is converted to and lost as heat, increasing their temperature and deteriorating their performance. Here, the authors propose a multi-energy generation photovoltaic leaf concept with biomimetic transpiration and demonstrate much improved performance.
- Gan Huang
- , Jingyuan Xu
- & Christos N. Markides
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Article
| Open AccessSingle-site decorated copper enables energy- and carbon-efficient CO2 methanation in acidic conditions
Conventional alkaline and neutral CO2-to-CH4 systems suffer carbon loss, and recovering the lost carbon requires input energy exceeding the heating value of CH4. Here, the authors report a chelating strategy to obtain Cu-N/O single sites decorated Cu clusters, which enables energy- and carbon-efficient CH4 electroproduction in an acidic system.
- Mengyang Fan
- , Rui Kai Miao
- & David Sinton
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Article
| Open AccessEye tracking and eye expression decoding based on transparent, flexible and ultra-persistent electrostatic interface
Eye tracking systems are crucial for eye health-monitoring and human-machine engineering. Here, Shi et. al. report a transparent and flexible active eye tracking system based on an electrostatic induction effect, enabling visual preference analysis and eye-controlled human-computer interaction.
- Yuxiang Shi
- , Peng Yang
- & Xiangyu Chen
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Article
| Open AccessHalf-Heusler alloys as emerging high power density thermoelectric cooling materials
Here, the authors increase the grain size of Nb0.55Ta0.4Ti0.05FeSb by three orders of magnitude by Sb-pressure controlled annealing, resulting in enhanced mobility and cooling power density compared to Bi2Te3-based devices.
- Hangtian Zhu
- , Wenjie Li
- & Bed Poudel
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Article
| Open AccessAssessment of the technological viability of photoelectrochemical devices for oxygen and fuel production on Moon and Mars
Long-term space missions to the Moon and Mars rely on sunlight as an energy source. Here, authors assess the performance of monolithic photoelectrochemical devices for light-assisted O2 and fuel production on the Moon and Mars as potential complementary technologies to existing life support systems.
- Byron Ross
- , Sophia Haussener
- & Katharina Brinkert
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Article
| Open AccessExtreme fast charging of commercial Li-ion batteries via combined thermal switching and self-heating approaches
A significant barrier to the mass adoption of electric vehicles is the long charge time (>30 min) of high-energy Li-ion batteries. Here, the authors propose a practical solution to enable fast charging of commercial Li-ion batteries by combining thermal switching and self-heating.
- Yuqiang Zeng
- , Buyi Zhang
- & Ravi S. Prasher