Research articles

High-nickel oxide cathodes are important for automotive lithium batteries but face thermal instability challenges. This study analyses a range of materials, quantifying how the cathode chemistry, nickel content, morphology and state of charge dictate the stability, and proposes a thermal stability index.

Developing safe, fast-recharging Li-metal batteries is challenging due to the need for stable, non-flammable electrolytes. This study presents an electrolyte design using miniature anion–Li⁺ solvation structures, achieving high conductivity, stable cycling and improved safety.

Europe’s future battery cell demand is projected to exceed 1 TWh yr⁻¹ by 2030, outpacing domestic production despite strong expected growth. While 50–60% self-sufficiency appears likely, achieving the European 90% target remains uncertain.

Single-crystal Ni-rich cathode materials are highly sought after in battery development. In this study the authors present a synthesis route that leverages Li₂O sublimation to facilitate the production of high-performance single-crystal cathode materials.

Energy insecurity is a major concern in the USA, but rooftop solar may be an effective tool for reducing this insecurity of vulnerable households. New research finds that rooftop solar leads to a large reduction in energy insecurity, particularly among low- to moderate-income households in the country.

Central banks vary substantially in the extent to which they re-risk stranded asset and physical climate risks and de-risk clean energy investments. Their actions are associated with climate politics and policy, and less so with underlying economic risks.

Poor power quality and reliability are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Osunmuyiwa et al. find that areas with this issue in Accra overlap with those experiencing multidimensional poverty and have more unusable power during peak periods than others.

Mitigation scenarios are required to account for societal factors. Fisch-Romito et al. integrate factors related to infrastructure, actors’ decision-making and socio-institutional context into a national energy model, and, using hindcasting, show how this can improve the modelled pathways.

Ni-rich cathodes in all-solid-state batteries experience capacity fading due to surface degradation, particle isolation and detachment at the cathode–electrolyte interface. This study quantifies these degradation factors, showing that detachment increases with Ni content and emphasizing the need for strategies to address these challenges.

There is growing interest in designing electrolytes to enable Li-metal batteries. Here the authors show that asymmetric solvents improve lithium redox kinetics and achieve long cycle life in anode-free cells under electric vertical take-off and landing conditions, demonstrating potential for future high-power applications.

Photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ typically uses concentrated feeds, hindering the direct conversion of ambient CO₂ to value-added products. Kar et al. report a flow reactor that produces syngas (a mixture of CO and H₂) through on-site utilization of air-captured CO₂ using light.

This analysis shows that demand-side policies can reduce emissions by 51–85% in buildings and 37–91% in transport by 2050, with electrification having the greatest impact. Adopting a mix of strategies offers benefits for the overall energy system.

Increasing solar photovoltaic and wind generation capacity beyond European 2030 targets could make electricity prices more stable, with reductions in sensitivity to fluctuations in the price of natural gas possibly outweighing the increasing influence of weather effects.

Devices for electrochemical CO₂ reduction can suffer from salt precipitation that blocks gas flow, leading to instability. Hao et al. explore possible salt formation mechanisms and provide a means to mitigate it via application of hydrophobic surface coatings.

Big data from MOT tests in Great Britain shows that early battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were less reliable than internal combustion vehicles. Here Nguyen-Tien et al. show that rapid technological advancements mean newer BEVs have comparable lifespans, even when more intensively used.

This study examines trade-offs of varying biomass use in the energy system under stringent emissions targets, finding its primary value as a renewable carbon source for chemicals, fuels and negative emissions rather than as an energy carrier.

Green hydrogen is critical for hard-to-electrify sectors, but faces economic headwinds. Odenweller and Ueckerdt quantify green hydrogen ambition and implementation gaps, showing that meeting expectations will remain challenging and costly.

The power conversion efficiency of wide-bandgap pure-sulfide kesterite is low. Wang et al. propose annealing in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere and report the underlying mechanism that enables a certified efficiency of 11.4%.

Sodium-ion batteries are considered a promising substitute for Li-ion, but the timeline and conditions for achieving cost-competitiveness remain uncertain. This study evaluates their techno-economic potential, showing that while challenging, they could compete with low-cost Li-ion batteries by the 2030s under specific conditions.

Offshore charging stations could be a promising solution to enhance green shipping. This research considers their optimal placement and sizing, extending the economic range of renewable ships to 9,000 km without compromising shipping efficiency.