Research Highlight |
Featured
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Letter |
Sensitization of silicon by singlet exciton fission in tetracene
A silicon and tetracene solar cell employing singlet fission uses an eight-angstrom-thick hafnium oxynitride interlayer to promote efficient triplet transfer, increasing the efficiency of the cell.
- Markus Einzinger
- , Tony Wu
- & Marc A. Baldo
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News Feature |
The reality behind solar power’s next star material
Companies say they are close to commercializing cheap perovskite films that could disrupt solar power — but are they too optimistic?
- Andy Extance
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Career Guide |
Germany faces its future as a pioneer in sustainability and renewable energy
The country’s future-proofing programmes face profound challenges.
- Andrew Curry
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News & Views |
Solar cells boosted by an improved charge-carrying material
The commercialization of a promising class of solar cell has been hindered by issues associated with the components needed to construct it. A possible solution has now been reported.
- Liyuan Han
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Letter |
Efficient, stable and scalable perovskite solar cells using poly(3-hexylthiophene)
A double-layered halide architecture for perovskite solar cells enables the use of dopant-free poly(3-hexylthiophene) as a hole-transport material, forming stable and scalable devices with a certified power conversion efficiency of 22.7 per cent.
- Eui Hyuk Jung
- , Nam Joong Jeon
- & Jangwon Seo
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Research Highlight |
Aquifers could store enough energy to power a nation for months
Compressed air made with renewable energy could be stashed in underground deposits for lean times.
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Nature Podcast |
Podcast: Fast Radio Bursts and new year future gazing
Join Benjamin Thompson and Noah Baker for the latest science news.
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Research Highlight |
Solar panels high on snowy mountains yield peak power
Arrays sited in thin air could help to fill winter solar-power gap.
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Letter |
Ceramic–metal composites for heat exchangers in concentrated solar power plants
A robust ceramic/refractory metal (ZrC/W)-based composite for use in heat exchangers in concentrated solar power plants above 1,023 kelvin is described, having attractive high-temperature thermal, mechanical and chemical properties combined with cost-effective processing.
- M. Caccia
- , M. Tabandeh-Khorshid
- & K. H. Sandhage
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Research Highlight |
Record-breaking battery saves sunshine for a rainy day
Device combines solar-cell and battery technology to store energy from the Sun with unprecedented efficiency.
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Letter |
Self-powered ultra-flexible electronics via nano-grating-patterned organic photovoltaics
Detection of biometric signals by self-powered electronic devices that are highly flexible and can be applied to skin.
- Sungjun Park
- , Soo Won Heo
- & Takao Someya
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Spotlight |
How Earth-observation scientists are weathering budget cuts and political scepticism
Researchers are forging a way through an uncertain funding landscape to better understand a changing climate.
- Kristopher James Kent
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Research Highlight |
Green power in Europe comes at a cost
The fickle nature of wind and solar power could challenge utility companies and drive price volatility.
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Correspondence |
Now India is electrified, bring on the renewables
- Shekhar Chandra
- & Lawrence E. Susskind
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Nature Index |
In the line of fire
By modelling the course of climate change, scientists are building an arsenal to prepare for its impact.
- Katherine Bourzac
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Nature Index |
Paving the way to an urban future
The scale of growth in cities challenges scientists and policy-makers.
- Catherine Armitage
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News |
German scientists hope for windfall from incoming government
Research budget could rise to 3.5% of gross domestic product if agreement struck during coalition talks holds.
- Quirin Schiermeier
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News |
European Union moves to strengthen renewable-energy goals
European Parliament says that 35% of energy should be clean by 2030 — but target is not yet legally binding.
- Quirin Schiermeier
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Spotlight |
India’s commitment to science begins to pay off
A push to reverse its brain drain is providing the expertise to tackle its domestic problems.
- T. V. Padma
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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
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Letter |
A solvent- and vacuum-free route to large-area perovskite films for efficient solar modules
A new deposition method for solar-panel polycrystalline perovskite thin films enables the production of large-area uniform films and avoids the need for common solvents or vacuum.
- Han Chen
- , Fei Ye
- & Liyuan Han
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Letter |
The effect of illumination on the formation of metal halide perovskite films
Films of metal halide perovskite are used as the absorber material in solar cells, and light irradiation during their formation is shown to affect their crystallization, morphology and photovoltaic performance.
- Amita Ummadisingu
- , Ludmilla Steier
- & Michael Grätzel
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Letter |
Biofuel blending reduces particle emissions from aircraft engines at cruise conditions
Compared to using conventional jet fuel, the use of a biofuel blend reduces aircraft engine particle emissions at cruising altitude by about 50–70 per cent.
- Richard H. Moore
- , Kenneth L. Thornhill
- & Bruce E. Anderson
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Comment |
Catch wave power in floating nets
Zhong Lin Wang proposes a radically different way to harvest renewable energy from the ocean using nanogenerator networks.
- Zhong Lin Wang
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News Feature |
How heat from the Sun can keep us all cool
As demand for air conditioning climbs, some see a solution in the very thing that makes us sweat: the Sun.
- XiaoZhi Lim
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News & Views |
Twenty-five years of low-cost solar cells
In 1991, an energy-efficient solar cell was reported that was both simple in design and relatively inexpensive. This invention has since inspired the development of solar cells that have even higher efficiencies.
- Mohammad K. Nazeeruddin
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News |
Solar on the steppe: Ukraine embraces renewables revolution
Former Soviet nation bids for independence from Russian fossil fuels.
- Quirin Schiermeier
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Outlook |
From gadgets to the smart grid
Batteries are key to powering portable devices and developing a modern energy network. Researchers are scrambling to develop iterations that can overcome the current limitations. By Sujata Gupta, infographic by Nigel Hawtin.
- Sujata Gupta
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Outlook |
Batteries: 4 big questions
The energy density of batteries will need to be substantially increased and their cost decreased if renewable energy is to replace fossil fuels. Here are four important questions.
- Katherine Bourzac
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Outlook |
Electrochemistry: Liquid assets
Flow batteries, which release electricity through fluid-based reactions, could revolutionize renewable-energy storage.
- Neil Savage
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Outlook |
Perspective: The energy-storage revolution
Lithium-ion batteries enabled smartphones to flourish. The next innovation will upend transportation and the grid, says George Crabtree.
- George Crabtree
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Outlook |
Energy storage: Power revolution
Electrical grids increasingly depend on intermittent renewable sources. To smooth the supply out, utilities companies are testing alternatives to storing energy in conventional batteries.
- Peter Fairley