Reviews & Analysis

Protonic-ceramic-based fuel cells and electrolysers are promising technologies for reversible energy storage and green hydrogen production from steam. However, they have poor longevity because they are chemically unstable in high-steam environments. Using a solution-deposited conformal coating to protect the electrode, researchers now reduce cell degradation rates by 100–1,000 fold.

The performance of perovskite-based tandem solar cells is hindered by the desorption of the molecules that passivate detrimental defects. Now, researchers design passivators with multiple functional groups and a strong dipole to strengthen the binding to the perovskite, enhancing the efficiency and photothermal stability of perovskite/copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) tandem cells.

Recent research suggests that misinformation about electric vehicles is widely believed, especially by those with conspiratorial mindsets. Simple interventions that challenge the misinformation as false, like fact sheets or chats with artificial intelligence, can reduce belief in this misinformation, showing a possible pathway toward a better-informed public.

All-perovskite tandem solar cells are a promising emerging photovoltaic technology. In this Review, Tan and colleagues discuss recent developments and pathways to improve their technical maturity.

Terminology surrounding home energy injustices has been crucial for drawing attention to this issue; however, as the field develops, so must associated language. This Perspective argues that the scientific and policy phraseologies around energy injustices in the home need to be updated.

Although the export of green hydrogen from Africa could support decarbonization in Europe, results from a geospatial model suggest that high investment risks make such exports economically unviable in most areas. Guaranteed offtake agreements from Europe can reduce investment risks to achieve cost competitiveness in some locations.

Perovskite photovoltaics have achieved high power conversion efficiencies, yet their durability remains to be proven. This Perspective presents a number of approaches with a view to addressing durability challenges.

Clean cooking fuels can be unaffordable. A year-long randomized control trial in Tanzania finds that a lockbox with savings nudges modestly increases participants’ liquified petroleum gas (LPG) use but does not result in exclusive use. Easing liquidity constraints is insufficient to foster exclusive clean fuel use when women save alone and must choose between LPG and other household needs.

The instability of lithium metal hinders the commercialization of lithium-metal batteries. This Review explores polymer coatings as a promising solution, summarizing key design principles, effective coatings and future interface strategies.

The increasing energy density and size requirements for batteries demand better safety technologies, but size limits and high costs hinder effective testing. Now, accelerated rate calorimetry tests on small batteries with an optimal thermal runaway factor enable rapid screening and provide early-stage feedback for improving safety features.

The slow kinetics of hydrogen evolution in alkaline solutions limit the current density of alkaline electrolysers. Research now demonstrates that the addition of aromatic amines to the electrolyte enhances alkaline hydrogen evolution, a strategy that is readily applicable to existing electrolysers.

Low-temperature CO₂ electrolysers are often tested at ambient temperature, yet this may not be optimal for larger-scale systems. In this Perspective Pelzer et al. argue that heat generation, due to the energy inefficiency of electrolysers, will favour elevated operating temperatures of 40–70 °C.

Understanding the mechanisms of improvements in energy technologies can inform efforts to drive further innovation. Now, researchers evaluate the role of research and development, along with technology spillovers, in the improvement of light-emitting diodes.

Magnetic fields have been shown to improve water oxidation performance, but the nature of the underlying promotional mechanisms remains unclear. In this Review the authors examine the possible phenomena at play and provide guidance on how to determine whether key enhancements derive from spin-related effects or not.

An antisolvent-seeding strategy enhanced self-assembled monolayer formation, enabling the growth of high-quality perovskite top cells on flexible Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)₂ bottom cells. A 1 cm² flexible tandem solar cell produced using this approach achieved a certified efficiency of 23.8% and is photostable and mechanically durable.

An analysis of European carbon management shows that CO₂ and H₂ networks can complement each other. Transporting CO₂ and H₂ from low-cost regions with high availability to areas that process the two molecules into clean fuels or sequester CO₂ could reduce total energy system costs by up to 5.3%.

Results from a large-scale survey of low-to-moderate income households in the USA show that the installation of rooftop solar panels decreased energy insecurity by 15–46% across five different measures. Policies that support the uptake of rooftop solar could therefore be used to reduce the incidence of energy insecurity.

The poor stability of colloidal quantum dots (CQD) hinders their use in large-area solar cells. A stable printable CQD ink is demonstrated by using solution chemistry engineering to control the surface ions on CQDs to prevent inter-dot fusion. This ink produced a solar module with a power conversion efficiency of over 10%.

Performance issues have limited the use of organic photoactive materials in direct solar water-splitting devices. Now, anodes containing a single-junction organic bulk heterojunction solar cell protected by a graphite sheet functionalized with an Earth-abundant electrocatalyst achieve a high water oxidation photocurrent density and days-long operational stability. Moreover, tandem devices achieve unassisted solar water splitting.

Nanofiltration membranes can potentially lower the energy demands of separation processes, yet identifying promising systems for further development can be challenging. Now, data-driven and equation-based modelling is used to holistically compare and select optimal separation processes.