Reviews & Analysis

The surfaces of polycrystalline perovskite films impact the long-term performance of perovskite solar cells, yet their microstructure is not well understood. Research now reveals the existence of concave grain structures at the surface of the perovskite layer facing the electron transport layer, and their detrimental effect on the stability of the interface and eventually the devices.

High-efficiency perovskite solar cells suffer from limited operational stability. Research now shows that perovskitoid-based interlayers with strong metal halide octahedral connectivity and both out-of-plane and in-plane crystal orientations address this issue.

Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ from flue gas shows promise for producing chemicals and fuels from waste streams, but its implementation is challenged by the presence of SO₂ impurities. Research now demonstrates a catalyst that effectively converts CO₂ to multi-carbon products while tolerating SO₂ impurities, advancing the feasibility of industrial CO₂ utilization.

A strategy for the design of Cu₂Se thermoelectric legs for power generation is demonstrated, involving finite element modelling and three-dimensional printing to optimize their macroscopic geometries and microscopic defects. A device with an hourglass-shaped leg exhibits enhanced power generation performance compared with one with a traditional cuboid leg.

The membrane separating anode from cathode in CO₂ electrolysers plays a key role in determining the performance, stability and material selection of the device. Here the authors argue that bipolar membranes could become the primary choice for scarce-metal-free, stable and efficient CO₂ electrolysers.

Community solar, a business model where multiple customers buy output from shared solar systems, has expanded solar access among multifamily housing occupants, renters, and low-income households. Policies to enable community solar could be expanded and benefits of access augmented through targeted measures to support community solar adoption in underserved communities.

Lithium-metal batteries represent a promising next-generation power source, but there is a trade-off between their energy density and cyclic stability. Now, an electrolyte designed to feature large solvation clustering structures enables a large lithium-metal pouch cell with a boosted energy density of 500 Wh kg⁻¹ and an extended lifespan.

The inflexibility of power grids can lead to stranded renewable power that cannot be absorbed by the grid. Now, a modular electrochemical synthesis strategy for the production of value-added chemicals is demonstrated to provide demand flexibility, enabling participation in different electricity markets and creating opportunities to generate revenue.

Ammonium salts are used to passivate defects in perovskite solar cells, yet they can either assemble as molecular layers or induce the formation of low-dimensional perovskites. Teale et al. review and discuss the formation and properties of these two different structures and their impact on devices.

A high-performance ternary organic solar cell (OSC) is developed through rational design of a nonfullerene guest acceptor. The optimized single-junction OSC shows reduced photon and carrier losses, leading to a high power conversion efficiency of more than 20%.

Investment in climate and energy (climate-tech) startups is growing in the US and worldwide, with public grants backing high-risk sectors and publicly funded startups exiting at higher rates with corporate investment. Public policies to incentivize corporate investment in these startups can therefore be an important, yet sometimes underestimated, part of meeting net-zero goals.

Recent reforms of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) boosted carbon prices by tightening the cap on emission allowances and increasing political commitment to it, which effectively made actors more farsighted. Policymakers should thus view prices as an indicator of credibility as well as scarcity, and manage potential future drops in the former by renewing commitment to the cap.

Zero-emission trucks will benefit from rapidly falling costs of batteries and fuel cells, which will enable their fast market diffusion. Industry and policy must prepare for battery-electric trucks with respect to their manufacturing and supply, adequate charging infrastructure and electricity grid expansions, as well as regulation.

Electrochemical ammonia (NH₃) synthesis is a promising alternative to the Haber–Bosch process, but higher-performing systems are needed. Now, researchers realize long-term continuous NH₃ electrosynthesis and production of high fractions of gas-phase NH₃ by employing a chain ether as solvent, marking an important practical step forward.

The Solar Mamas programme for energy transition in Zanzibar, Tanzania, has been analysed through a combined lens of care and epistemic injustice. The case study illustrates that interventions that centre energy care work and its gendered dimensions in locally led energy-transition initiatives can disrupt established gender norms and produce better project outcomes.

Achieving net zero implies the electrification of heat and transport, causing challenges for electricity networks. We used geographically disaggregated data to map estimated network impacts across 40,000 local areas across Great Britain and explore ways of avoiding them through local flexibility.

Ion migration is generally understood to detrimentally impact the operational stability of perovskite solar cells, yet the underlying mechanism is not fully clear. By decoupling ion migration from other effects, research now shows that electric field screening induced by mobile ions is a dominant contributor to efficiency loss during solar cell ageing.

A key issue in net energy analysis is the omission of the effects of end-use efficiencies on the energy returns of technologies. Now, an analysis shows that these effects strongly favour the energy returns of wind power and solar photovoltaics, which are found to be higher than those of fossil fuels.

Large scale cellulosic biofuel production involves complex interactions between biomass supply, biorefineries and the networks that connect them. New fine-scale spatially explicit modelling seeks to better understand how these components could best integrate with carbon capture to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and optimize biofuel supply chains.

The solvation structure of an electrolyte and the resulting interphase are crucial for lithium-metal battery performance. Now, an electrochemically inert diluent, designed to selectively interact with electrolyte anions, aids in the formation of an inorganic-rich bilayer interphase, thereby improving cyclability and extending calendar life.