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Irreversible structural transitions and disorder in electrodes during battery operation can cause electrochemical performance to deteriorate. Now, an innovative design that turns an irreversible phase transition into a partially disordered phase is shown to be effective in improving disordered rocksalt materials.
Ammonia can be synthesized electrochemically from nitric oxide, but the catalytic performance has generally not been satisfactory. Here the authors report a highly active copper–tin alloy for nitric oxide reduction to ammonia, which they test in a flow cell and a membrane electrode assembly.
Energy models play a crucial role in studying mitigation strategies; however, substantial variations among these models exist. This study presents a typology for energy models to map these model differences, based on five dimensions, each characterized by numerous diagnostic indicators.
A differentiated natural gas market is emerging as a key mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across global natural gas supply chains. Trust in such voluntary markets across civil society, industry and governments depends on a transparent framework for reporting independently verifiable and accurate emissions data.
By tuning the plasma frequency, Yu, Gao et al. develop an industrial-scale chemical vapour deposition system for uniform nanocrystalline silicon oxide coatings, enabling 26.41% efficiency in silicon heterojunction solar cells with copper electrodes.
The majority of electrocatalysts selective for CO2 reduction to ethanol are based on Cu. Here the authors report a highly ethanol-selective Sn-based electrocatalyst, which is proposed to operate via a tandem mechanism.
State-of-the-art graphite anodes cannot meet the extremely fast charging requirements of ever-demanding markets. Here the researchers develop a Li3P-based solid–electrolyte interphase, enabling fast (down to 6 min) charging of graphite-based Li-ion batteries.
Access to clean energy is essential to sustainable human development. We thus have a responsibility and an opportunity to meet the global goal of ending energy poverty by 2030. We propose the creation of a new Mission Energy Access programme to support this aim.
Solid electrolytes may enable a step-change in battery performance, but their brittleness often complicates their use. Now, a new inorganic electrolyte has been developed: it is a glassy material that offers viscoelasticity as well as good ionic conductivity.
Energy security concerns must be considered not only in terms of energy availability at an affordable price, but also from a political and social sciences perspective.
Defects at the perovskite/charge extraction layer interface reduce the performance of solar cells. Yang et al. show that charged oxide interlayers passivate defects by altering charge carrier concentration and their acidity minimizes detrimental reactions.
As the deployment of variable renewable energy sources may lead to greater cross-border electricity exchange, energy scholars have generally presumed the emergence of cooperative multi-state grid communities. This Perspective uses International Relations theory to explore this assumption.
Zeljko Jovanovic, Director of Open Society Foundations Roma Initiatives Office, talks with Nature Energy about Roma community energy security challenges, and where there is room for improved communication between policymakers and the scientific community on this issue.
Lithium-ion battery manufacturing is energy-intensive, raising concerns about energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions amid surging global demand. New research reveals that battery manufacturing will be more energy-efficient in future because technological advances and economies of scale will counteract the projected rise in future energy demand.