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Justice is increasingly recognized as a core proposition for energy transitions, but questions remain about how it manifests in energy transition innovations. This Perspective introduces a framework for centring justice consideration in these innovations across levels, illustrating its use through two case studies.
Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) have the potential to operate below 450 °C, but their performance is poor at such temperatures. Through the development of a low-resistance electrolyte and the in situ formation of a composite positive electrode, a PCEC with good fuel cell and electrolysis cell performance at <450 °C is demonstrated.
Accurate modelling of the temporal and spatial impacts of weather on building energy demand is key to the decarbonization of energy systems. Now, Staffell et al. develop an openly available model for calculating hourly heating and cooling demand on a global scale.
Capacity expansion modelling (CEM) approaches need to account for the value of energy storage in energy-system decarbonization. A new Review considers the representation of energy storage in the CEM literature and identifies approaches to overcome the challenges such approaches face when it comes to better informing policy and investment decisions.
Intensive efforts are under way to develop Li metal batteries with ether electrolytes, but their performance fails to meet practical requirements. Here the authors develop an ether-based electrolyte for Li metal batteries that substantially improves battery cyclability, especially at low temperatures.
Intensive efforts are underway to develop recycling methods for spent lithium-ion batteries. Here the authors develop a mechano-catalytic approach based on contact electrification for efficient and potentially cost-effective recycling of cathode materials.
The typically high temperatures (≥500 °C) at which ceramic electrochemical cells operate place constraints on device materials and construction. Here Liu and colleagues design reversible proton-conducting electrochemical cells that can operate with high performance at temperatures of 450 °C and below.
The addition of a guest component can improve the open-circuit voltage in ternary organic solar cells. Spectroscopic experiments, combined with quantum chemistry simulations, conducted on a series of ternary organic solar cells provide a guide to further improving the open-circuit voltage, and hence the power conversion efficiency, of these solar cells.
Solar-driven oxidative coupling of methane is a promising approach to synthesize important C2+ products, yet poor efficiency limits its application. Now, a TiO2 membrane loaded with Au nanoclusters, which act as hole acceptors and catalytic centres, achieves high yield and selectivity in C2+ production.
Substantial gaps exist between laboratory innovations and practical applications of Si-based batteries. Here the authors survey critical factors that hinder the development of practical Si-based anodes and propose testing protocols to evaluate laboratory innovations.
Electrochemical carbon capture is a promising way to electrify CO2 emissions mitigation, but capacities are often low due to poor solubility of the redox-active organic molecules at the heart of the process. Here the authors report a high-capacity and high-stability electrochemical CO2 capture system based on a phenazine derivative they have developed.