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| Open AccessShadow enhanced self-charging power system for wave and solar energy harvesting from the ocean
Ubiquitous shadows cast from moving objects in hybrid energy-harvesting systems are undesirable as they degrade the performance of the photovoltaic cells. Here the authors report the shadow of the moving object in a hybrid energy-harvesting system shortens charging time to charge a self-charging power system.
- Qian Zhang
- , Qijie Liang
- & Swee Ching Tan
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Article
| Open AccessInsights on forming N,O-coordinated Cu single-atom catalysts for electrochemical reduction CO2 to methane
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates to catalyze CO2 reduction for the formation of high value hydrocarbons but most of the reactions yield CO. Here, the authors show a low-temperature calcining process to fabricate a carbon-dots-based SAC to efficiently convert CO2 to methane.
- Yanming Cai
- , Jiaju Fu
- & Wenlei Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessHigh oxide-ion conductivity through the interstitial oxygen site in Ba7Nb4MoO20-based hexagonal perovskite related oxides
Oxide-ion conductors are important in various applications for clean energy. Here, authors report high oxide-ion conductivity of hexagonal perovskite-related oxide Ba7Nb3.9Mo1.1O20.05, which is ascribed to the interstitialcy diffusion and low activation energy for oxide-ion conductivity.
- Masatomo Yashima
- , Takafumi Tsujiguchi
- & Stephen J. Skinner
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Article
| Open AccessPseudo-bilayer architecture enables high-performance organic solar cells with enhanced exciton diffusion length
The so-called pseudo-bilayer (PB) organic solar cell (OSC) device architecture can promote enhanced exciton dissociation and charge transport, leading to improved device performance. Here, the authors report high-efficiency OSCs that features a PB architecture and optimized ternary system.
- Kui Jiang
- , Jie Zhang
- & Alex K.-Y. Jen
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Article
| Open AccessFlexible and efficient perovskite quantum dot solar cells via hybrid interfacial architecture
Perovskite quantum dots film has better mechanical stability and structural integrity compared to bulk thin film. Here, the authors demonstrate higher endurance of quantum dot films and develop hybrid CsPbI3 QD/PCBM device with PCE of 15.1% and 12.3% on rigid and flexible substrates, respectively.
- Long Hu
- , Qian Zhao
- & Tom Wu
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Article
| Open AccessInterstitial boron-doped mesoporous semiconductor oxides for ultratransparent energy storage
Realizing transparent supercapacitor is hindered by the trade-off between capacitance and transparency of the electrode material. Here, the authors report an interstitial doping strategy to boost the electrochemical activity of transparent conducting oxides while maintaining their optical feature.
- Jian Zhi
- , Min Zhou
- & Fuqiang Huang
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Article
| Open AccessPyroelectric nanoplates for reduction of CO2 to methanol driven by temperature-variation
CO2 is a problematic greenhouse gas, although its conversion to alternative fuels represents a promising approach to limit its long-term effects. Here, the authors demonstrate that CO2 can be reduced to methanol through pyroelectric catalysis under temperature variation near room temperature.
- Lingbo Xiao
- , Xiaoli Xu
- & Guifu Zou
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Article
| Open AccessStable, high-performance, dendrite-free, seawater-based aqueous batteries
Metal anode instability due to several intrinsic factors limits their widespread use in energy storage. Here, the authors report a 3D alloy anode via a universal alloy electrodeposition approach to overcome the anode instability issues and demonstrate a seawater-based aqueous battery.
- Huajun Tian
- , Zhao Li
- & Yang Yang
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Article
| Open AccessCarbon hollow fiber membranes for a molecular sieve with precise-cutoff ultramicropores for superior hydrogen separation
Energy-efficient hydrogen purification technologies are needed for the hydrogen economy. Here the authors report facile and scalable fabrication of asymmetric carbon molecular sieve membranes for the separation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
- Linfeng Lei
- , Fengjiao Pan
- & Michael D. Guiver
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Article
| Open AccessAn efficient and stable solar flow battery enabled by a single-junction GaAs photoelectrode
Solar flow batteries (SFBs) can convert, store and release intermittent solar energy but have been built with complex multi-junction solar cells. Here an efficient and stable SFB is shown with single-junction GaAs solar cells via rational potential match modeling and operating condition optimization.
- Hui-Chun Fu
- , Wenjie Li
- & Song Jin
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Article
| Open AccessHigh performance tandem organic solar cells via a strongly infrared-absorbing narrow bandgap acceptor
Development of tandem organic solar cells has been limited by the choice of near-infrared absorbing materials for the rear cell. Here, the authors report a simple strategy to extend the conjugation length of acceptor Y6 and broaden its absorption range to near-infrared region. A tandem organic solar cell with efficiency of 16.4% was achieved.
- Zhenrong Jia
- , Shucheng Qin
- & Yongfang Li
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Article
| Open AccessHydride-based antiperovskites with soft anionic sublattices as fast alkali ionic conductors
Oxide-based lithium/sodium-rich antiperovskites are regarded as promising solid electrolytes. Here, authors report a series of antiperovskites with a soft lattice containing hydride (H–) and chalcogenide (S2–, Se2–, Te2–) anions, enabling the fast Li+ /Na+ transport assisted by rotational phonon modes.
- Shenghan Gao
- , Thibault Broux
- & Hiroshi Kageyama
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Article
| Open AccessEnhancing carbon dioxide gas-diffusion electrolysis by creating a hydrophobic catalyst microenvironment
The local environment for carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction is a key element to improve the efficiency of catalytic sites. Here, the authors demonstrate substantial gain of the catalyst electrochemical activity through the adoption of a hydrophobic catalyst microenvironment.
- Zhuo Xing
- , Lin Hu
- & Xiaofeng Feng
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Article
| Open AccessA flexible electron-blocking interfacial shield for dendrite-free solid lithium metal batteries
The high electronic conductivity of solid-state electrolytes leads to Li dendrite growth, thus hindering the commercialization of solid-state batteries. Here, the authors propose a flexible electron-blocking interface to protect garnet electrolytes from the electronic degradation.
- Hanyu Huo
- , Jian Gao
- & Xueliang Sun
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Article
| Open AccessA four-electron Zn-I2 aqueous battery enabled by reversible I−/I2/I+ conversion
Electrochemically reversible redox couples that embrace more electron transfer at a higher potential are desired for high energy density batteries. Here, the authors report a four-electron aqueous zinc-iodine battery by boosting the iodine electrochemistry in deliberately designed electrolytes.
- Yiping Zou
- , Tingting Liu
- & Xiao Liang
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Article
| Open AccessGreen synthesis of graphite from CO2 without graphitization process of amorphous carbon
Green synthesis of graphite is a great challenge in the absence of the graphitization of amorphous carbon at high temperatures. Here, the authors report a green approach of synthesizing graphite from carbon dioxide at low temperature in seconds timescale.
- Chu Liang
- , Yun Chen
- & Hongge Pan
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Article
| Open AccessA cooperative biphasic MoOx–MoPx promoter enables a fast-charging lithium-ion battery
Fast-charging of lithium-ion batteries is hindered by the uncontrollable plating of metallic Li on the graphite anode during cycling. Here, the authors demonstrate the fast chargeability and long cycle lifetimes via surface engineering of graphite with a cooperative biphasic MoOx–MoPx promoter.
- Sang-Min Lee
- , Junyoung Kim
- & Min-Sik Park
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| Open AccessOxygen-rich interface enables reversible stibium stripping/plating chemistry in aqueous alkaline batteries
The practical application of aqueous alkaline battery is confined by limited choice of anode. Here, the authors demonstrate an oxygen-rich interface induced reversible Sb stripping/plating chemistry that provides a promising Sb metal anode with fast reaction kinetics and favourable stability.
- Haozhe Zhang
- , Qiyu Liu
- & Xihong Lu
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Article
| Open AccessEngineering fluorinated-cation containing inverted perovskite solar cells with an efficiency of >21% and improved stability towards humidity
Efficient and stable perovskite solar cells with simple active layers are desirable for manufacturing, yet formation of a two-dimensional component in the perovskite film compromises the performance. Here, the authors report low temperature fabrication of highly efficient and stable inverted solar cells by adding a fluorinated lead salt.
- Xiao Wang
- , Kasparas Rakstys
- & Paul E. Shaw
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Article
| Open AccessPillar-beam structures prevent layered cathode materials from destructive phase transitions
The specific capacity of P2-type sodium-ion battery cathode is limited because full extraction of Na ions leads to structural degradation. Here authors report pillar-beam structured material to overcome this issue by using K pillar ions to uphold the transition metal layers upon extraction of Na ions.
- Yuesheng Wang
- , Zimin Feng
- & Karim Zaghib
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Article
| Open AccessNeuromorphic van der Waals crystals for substantial energy generation
Controlling ion transport in nanofluidics is fundamental to numerous material applications but designing a material for ion selection is challenging. Here the authors report a confined van der Waals graphene oxide membrane as cation selective channel for energy generation inspired by neuron electromotive force.
- Sungsoon Kim
- , Sangjin Choi
- & Wooyoung Shim
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Article
| Open AccessDepth-dependent valence stratification driven by oxygen redox in lithium-rich layered oxide
Lithium-rich layered material deserves in-depth understanding because it has large capacity enabled by both cation and anion activities. Here, authors apply 3D spectro-tomography with nano resolution to reveal the multi-layer morphology and depth-dependent transition metal valence distribution associated with oxygen redox.
- Jin Zhang
- , Qinchao Wang
- & Yijin Liu
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| Open AccessOpen database analysis of scaling and spatio-temporal properties of power grid frequencies
Power grid frequencies mirror the state of the grid. Here, Rydin Gorjão et al. analyse measurements of power grid frequencies across areas and continents and uncover scaling laws of their fluctuations and spatio-temporal dynamics, which could aid the design, operation and control of power systems.
- Leonardo Rydin Gorjão
- , Richard Jumar
- & Benjamin Schäfer
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Article
| Open AccessEarly decarbonisation of the European energy system pays off
For a given carbon budget between 2020 and 2050, different transformation rates for the European energy system yield starkly different results. Here the authors show that strongly reducing emissions in the first decade is cost-effective and entails additional benefits.
- Marta Victoria
- , Kun Zhu
- & Martin Greiner
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Article
| Open AccessLaser photonic-reduction stamping for graphene-based micro-supercapacitors ultrafast fabrication
Microfabrication for cost-effective miniaturized energy storage devices remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a spatially shaped femtosecond laser method, which is ultrafast, one-step, high resolution and large-scale, for use in patterning flexible high-performance micro-supercapacitors.
- Yongjiu Yuan
- , Lan Jiang
- & Tianhong Cui
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Article
| Open AccessRationally patterned electrode of direct-current triboelectric nanogenerators for ultrahigh effective surface charge density
Low charge density is the bottleneck for the applications of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Here, the authors demonstrate a microstructure-designed direct-current TENG with rationally patterned electrode structure to enhance its effective charge density to a new milestone.
- Zhihao Zhao
- , Yejing Dai
- & Jie Wang
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Article
| Open AccessMaximizing ion accessibility in MXene-knotted carbon nanotube composite electrodes for high-rate electrochemical energy storage
Improving the accessibility of ions in the electrodes of electrochemical energy storage devices is vital for charge storage and rate performance. Here, the authors report a new type of MXene-carbon nanotube composite electrode that maximizes ion accessibility, resulting in high rate performance at low temperatures.
- Xiang Gao
- , Xuan Du
- & Ming Xu
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Article
| Open AccessA high-efficiency bioinspired photoelectric-electromechanical integrated nanogenerator
Increasing the surface charge density of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) under a single energy source is of wide interest. Here, the authors increase the surface charge density by comprehensively utilizing solar energy and tidal energy to develop a bioinspired photoelectric-electromechanical integrated TENG.
- Sicheng Liu
- , Xi Liu
- & Zhuangzhi Sun
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Article
| Open AccessHow to speed up ion transport in nanopores
Narrowing pores filled with an electrolyte usually slows down their charge-discharge dynamics. Here the authors demonstrate through molecular dynamics simulations and experiments with novolac-derived carbon electrodes how non-linear voltage sweeps can accelerate charging and discharging of subnanometer pores.
- Konrad Breitsprecher
- , Mathijs Janssen
- & Svyatoslav Kondrat
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Article
| Open AccessBismuth atom tailoring of indium oxide surface frustrated Lewis pairs boosts heterogeneous CO2 photocatalytic hydrogenation
Surface frustrated Lewis pairs (SFLPs) provide a unique class of active sites that enable efficient gas-phase CO2 photocatalysis. How to tailor the reactivity of the SFLPs represents a major challenge, which the authors address here by single-site Bi3+ ion substitution of the SFLPs.
- Tingjiang Yan
- , Na Li
- & Geoffrey A. Ozin
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Article
| Open AccessIntegration of daytime radiative cooling and solar heating for year-round energy saving in buildings
Future zero-energy buildings require smart and dynamic utilization of renewable energy for efficient indoor temperature control. Here the authors show that the dual-mode device enables building envelopes to switch between solar heating and radiative cooling to save HVAC energy for all seasons and all climate zones.
- Xiuqiang Li
- , Bowen Sun
- & Po-Chun Hsu
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Article
| Open AccessScalable thermoelectric fibers for multifunctional textile-electronics
Despite the potential of incorporating thermoelectric (TE) fibers into textile electronics for green energy harvesting, existing fabrication methods are not commercially viable. Here, the authors report a scalable gelation extrusion fabrication strategy for realizing alternating p/n-type TE fibers.
- Tianpeng Ding
- , Kwok Hoe Chan
- & Ghim Wei Ho
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Article
| Open AccessUnraveling the influence of non-fullerene acceptor molecular packing on photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells
Non-fullerene acceptors are crucial for realising efficient charge transport and high power conversion in organic solar cells, yet the relationship of molecular packing and carrier transport is not well-understood. Here, the authors study the effect of side-chain engineering on the backbone assembly and the corresponding charge transport pathway.
- Linglong Ye
- , Kangkang Weng
- & Yanming Sun
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| Open AccessHigh-performance compliant thermoelectric generators with magnetically self-assembled soft heat conductors for self-powered wearable electronics
Though flexible thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are attractive for energy harvesting applications, existing devices show low efficiency due to heat loss and poor thermal contact. Here, the authors report high-performance conformable TEGs with stretchable interconnects and soft heat conductors.
- Byeongmoon Lee
- , Hyeon Cho
- & Seungjun Chung
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Article
| Open Accessd-Orbital steered active sites through ligand editing on heterometal imidazole frameworks for rechargeable zinc-air battery
Low intrinsic activity and accessibility of active sites limit the application of metal-organic framework as catalyst for Zn-air battery. Here, authors present a cation substitution strategy to regulate the electronic state of metal sites and modify its porosity, which enables battery operation.
- Yi Jiang
- , Ya-Ping Deng
- & Zhongwei Chen
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Article
| Open AccessAdding salt to expand voltage window of humid ionic liquids
Water adsorbed on the electrode surface of electrochemical energy storage devices narrows the electrochemical windows. Combining atomistic simulations and cyclic voltammetry experiments the authors demonstrate an approach to expand the voltage window of humid ionic liquids based on the addition of lithium salt.
- Ming Chen
- , Jiedu Wu
- & Guang Feng
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Article
| Open AccessDiscontinuous transition to loop formation in optimal supply networks
Supply networks with optimal structure do not contain loops but these can arise as a result of damages or fluctuations. Here Kaiser et al. uncover the mechanisms of loop formation, predict their location and draw analogies with loop formation in biological networks such as plants and animal vasculature.
- Franz Kaiser
- , Henrik Ronellenfitsch
- & Dirk Witthaut
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| Open AccessInsights into interfacial effect and local lithium-ion transport in polycrystalline cathodes of solid-state batteries
Solid state battery is regarded as one of the most promising next generation energy storage systems due to high safety and high energy density. Here, authors demonstrate the importance of interfacial local environment in polycrystalline cathodes for electrochemical reactions in solid-state batteries.
- Shuaifeng Lou
- , Qianwen Liu
- & Jiajun Wang
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Article
| Open AccessDirect conversion of methane to formaldehyde and CO on B2O3 catalysts
Partial oxidation of methane to value-added C1 products remains challenging due to the favorable formation of fully-oxidized CO2. Here, the authors show supported B2O3 catalysts with tri-coordinated BO3 units as the active site are highly selective in oxidizing methane to HCHO and CO.
- Jinshu Tian
- , Jiangqiao Tan
- & Yong Wang
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Article
| Open AccessN-type organic thermoelectrics: demonstration of ZT > 0.3
Achieved high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) in organic thermoelectric materials remains a challenge due to their low packing order and poor host/dopant miscibility. Here, the authors report side chain-engineered n-doped fullerene derivatives with record ZT >0.3 for organic thermoelectrics.
- Jian Liu
- , Bas van der Zee
- & L. Jan Anton Koster
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Article
| Open AccessA highly-active, stable and low-cost platinum-free anode catalyst based on RuNi for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells
Development of hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFCs) requires high-performance and low-cost catalysts for hydrogen oxidation reaction at the anode. Here the authors report Ru7Ni3/C as anode catalysts, delivering high power density and good durability in alkaline media for HEMFCs.
- Yanrong Xue
- , Lin Shi
- & Zhongbin Zhuang
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Article
| Open AccessMethylamine-assisted growth of uniaxial-oriented perovskite thin films with millimeter-sized grains
Suppressing grain boundaries and defects in perovskite solar cells remains a quest to address the efficiency and stability issues. Here, the authors use methylamine gas for assisting the growth of uniaxial-oriented perovskite thin films with millimeter-sized grains.
- Haochen Fan
- , Fengzhu Li
- & YanLin Song
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Article
| Open AccessUniversal and versatile morphology engineering via hot fluorous solvent soaking for organic bulk heterojunction
Morphology control of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells has been a challenge for realising optimal photovoltaic performance. Here, the authors utilise amphiphobic nature and temperature-dependent miscibility of fluorous solvent to promote molecular reorganisation and morphological optimisation.
- Tong Shan
- , Yi Zhang
- & Hongliang Zhong
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Article
| Open AccessCharge-generating mid-gap trap states define the thermodynamic limit of organic photovoltaic devices
The inability to accurately measure the charge-generating energy states in organic solar cells makes elucidating the photovoltaic effect in these devices difficult. Here, the authors report charge-generating mid-gap trap states in organic solar cells via ultra-sensitive photovoltaic measurements.
- Nasim Zarrabi
- , Oskar J. Sandberg
- & Ardalan Armin
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient energy transfer mitigates parasitic light absorption in molecular charge-extraction layers for perovskite solar cells
The performance of perovskite solar cells can be limited by light absorption loss in organic charge extraction layers, through which sun light must propagate before reaching the perovskite. Here, the authors demonstrate that efficient energy transfer to the perovskite layer from a thin organic layer is able to eliminate this parasitic loss.
- Hannah J. Eggimann
- , Jay B. Patel
- & Laura M. Herz
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Article
| Open AccessOn-surface lithium donor reaction enables decarbonated lithium garnets and compatible interfaces within cathodes
Formation of insulating lithium carbonate on surface of lithium garnets hinders their application as solid electrolyte in lithium ion batteries. Here the authors explore a scalable sintering approach to utilize the undesired Li2CO3 and improve the active material-electrolyte interface within cathodes.
- Ya-Nan Yang
- , Ying-Xiang Li
- & Tao Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance and stable photoelectrochemical water splitting cell with organic-photoactive-layer-based photoanode
While organic semiconductors may be useful in photoelectrochemical water-splitting materials, they show low stability in water. Here, the authors report high-performance and stable organic-semiconductor-based photoanodes passivated using nickel foils, GaIn eutectic, and layered double hydroxides.
- Je Min Yu
- , Jungho Lee
- & Ji-Wook Jang
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Article
| Open AccessReprogramming bacterial protein organelles as a nanoreactor for hydrogen production
The extreme oxygen sensitive character of hydrogenases is a longstanding issue for hydrogen production in bacteria. Here, the authors build carboxysome shells in E. coli and incorporate catalytically active hydrogenases and functional partners within the empty shell for the production of hydrogen.
- Tianpei Li
- , Qiuyao Jiang
- & Lu-Ning Liu
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Article
| Open AccessImmunizing lithium metal anodes against dendrite growth using protein molecules to achieve high energy batteries
The practical application of lithium metal anodes in high-energy-density lithium metal batteries is hindered by the formation and growth of lithium dendrites. Here, authors report fibroin protein as an electrolyte additive to prevent and eliminate the growth of wispy lithium dendrites.
- Tianyi Wang
- , Yanbin Li
- & Guoxiu Wang