Impact of silicon substrate topography on sequentially evaporated perovskite film growth

Thermal evaporation enables scalable, solvent-free fabrication of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, but the mechanisms governing perovskite formation remain underexplored. Using in situ X-ray diffraction during evaporation, the formation of sequentially evaporated perovskite films was studied, enabling the first fully solvent-free tandem top cell with a champion efficiency of 27.3%.

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CsCl seed layer homogenizes co-evaporated perovskite growth for high-efficiency, fully textured perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells

CsCl seed layer enables uniform growth of co-evaporated perovskite films on textured silicon, suppressing the formation of interfacial defects caused by uneven hole-transport layer coverage. The resulting improvement in film quality enables 30.3% efficient perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells.

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Steric-gated dual-site chelation enables 27.3% efficient perovskite solar cells and ultra-stable 22% bifacial modules

Making perovskite solar cells efficient and durable requires molecules that fix defects without blocking charge flow. This work shows that ADA-DA, a rigid 3D molecule with two binding arms, can strongly passivate lead-related defects while controlling interfacial packing. The strategy delivers 27.10% certified stabilized efficiency in inverted cells and stable, >22% bifacial modules, offering a molecular design rule for scalable perovskite photovoltaics.

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Electrochemical conversion of (bi)carbonate-based CO2 capture solutions to ethylene on porous copper-based nanowire electrodes

Utilizing captured atmospheric CO2 is a promising route toward a circular carbon economy. This work studies feeding carbon capture solutions directly into electrolyzers to make ethylene, a key feedstock for the plastics industry, thus demonstrating that copper nanowire-modified porous electrodes promote the mass transport of reactants/intermediates, leading to improved ethylene selectivity.

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The dual role of iron in alkaline water electrolysis: A friend or a foe?

Trace iron impurities are often viewed as beneficial for alkaline water electrolysis, yet their full role during long-term operation has remained unclear. We show that iron moves through the cell during operation, where it can both improve catalytic performance and form metallic deposits and dendrites that threaten long-term stability. By identifying the operating conditions that govern iron ion mobility, this work provides a framework for managing impurities toward improving electrolyzer durability.

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Redox chemistry of halide materials unlocking next-generation all-solid-state batteries

Solid electrolytes have long been treated as inert “dead mass” in all-solid-state batteries. This perspective challenges that view by highlighting the redox chemistry of halide materials, which can serve as both ionic conductors and capacity contributors. A strategic voltage window matching design enables substantial electrode energy density gains, paving the way toward 600 Wh kg−1 next-generation all-solid-state batteries for electric aviation and beyond.

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Scalable dual-step deposition of cascaded nickel oxide enables high-efficiency inverted perovskite solar cells and mini-modules

A cascaded NiOx film fabricated via a scalable dual-step CBD process establishes a gradient structure that optimizes energetic alignment and mitigates interfacial non-radiative recombination, boosting hole extraction to deliver an efficiency of 27.05% with an FF of 87%.

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Molecular charge-topology electrolytes enable >630 Wh kg−1 lithium-metal batteries

Electrolyte reduction at lithium metal limits the efficiency and lifetime of high-energy batteries. A molecular charge-topology framework links electron uptake with molecular reorganization, enabling the rational design of intrinsically stable electrolytes. The resulting electrolyte suppresses parasitic reactions, supports highly reversible lithium cycling, and enables 13.0 Ah pouch cells with energy densities above 630 Wh kg−1 under ultra-lean conditions.

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Ordered liquid crystal-SAM supramolecules stabilize perovskite interfaces

Here, we developed a “liquid crystal-SAM supramolecule” strategy to suppress SAM aggregation and construct a dense, preferentially oriented monolayer. This supramolecular strategy enhanced SAM adhesion under external stress and promoted hole transport through strong π-π interactions. The resulting nBuO-TPEP-based devices achieved a PCE of 26.72% in small areas and 20.10% in flexible modules, along with outstanding operational stability in air. This strategy also showed good universality across different SAM molecules.

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On-demand capacity extraction through thermo-electrochemical hysteresis in metastable Li-Cu alloy

Batteries steadily lose usable lithium as they cycle, as reactive lithium is consumed spontaneously—a key factor limiting how long they retain capacity. A metastable lithium-copper alloy, built into the current collector, stores lithium in reserve and keeps it dormant during operation. The stored lithium is released only when intentionally triggered, boosting the cell’s capacity on demand and extending cycle life in both lithium-metal and lithium-ion batteries, illustrating how metastable materials can introduce functionalities to energy storage.

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Sequentially adaptive electron transfer in heteroatom-modulated NiFe-MOFs for efficient anion exchange membrane water/seawater electrolysis

Sequentially adaptive electron transfer in NiFe-MOFs enables high-performance AEM water electrolysis with ultralow cell voltage at industrial-level current densities, excellent stability under harsh operating conditions, and efficient solar-driven hydrogen production under natural sunlight irradiation.

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Solution-mediated reversible anion storage enables high-power organic batteries

Real-time observations reveal that p-type organic electrodes operate through a solution-mediated redox pathway rather than conventional solid-state ion transport. The reaction proceeds through transient solvated intermediates, followed by recrystallization into the charged phase. This mechanism explains exceptional rate capability and cycle life in p-type organic batteries.

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Methanol-assisted electrochemical system for scalable and integrated flue-gas CO2 capture and utilization

Mitigating emissions from point sources requires carbon-capture technologies that are efficient, scalable, and compatible with renewable electricity. This study reports a methanol-assisted electrochemical CO2 capture system based on a compact zero-gap electrolyzer, enabling flue-gas capture and direct integration with CO2 conversion. By coupling CO2 capture and utilization in one scalable platform, this work points toward lower-cost and modular flue-gas carbon management.

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Dual-functional materials and pilot demonstration of integrated CO2 capture and conversion

This work reports an oxygen-resistant Ni-based dual-functional material for integrated CO2 capture and conversion to CH4 (ICCCCH4) and demonstrates stable pilot-scale operation (25 Nm3/h), achieving near-complete CO2 capture and conversion efficiency. Verification of the process on such a scale, together with techno-economic analysis based on practical operation data, fully showcases the promising potential of ICCCCH4 in practical applications.

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Multiscale design principles for ultrafast ion-electron synergy in electrochemical filter capacitors

Electrochemical filter capacitors (EFCs) offer compact energy-buffering components for dynamic power conditioning, but their performance is limited by coupled ion- and electron transport losses. This review establishes a multiscale impedance-decoupling framework and standardized 120 Hz benchmarking to connect materials, electrodes, devices, and modules with practical filtering metrics, guiding EFC development from chip-level integration to renewable-energy interfaces.

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A zero-degradation elastocaloric cooling device using fatigue-resistant refrigerant

A fatigue-resistant shape memory alloy was integrated into a carefully engineered elastocaloric device with high mechanical reliability. The device delivered 400 watts of cooling power and a 41 Kelvin temperature span over one million operation cycles, highlighting a promising route toward durable solid-state cooling.

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Supramolecular coordination homogenizes multi-cation wide-band-gap perovskites for high-voltage all-perovskite tandem solar cells

This study presents a supramolecular strategy employing a crown ether and a Cs salt for wide-band-gap perovskite solar cells. This approach enables efficient and stable double-junction all-perovskite tandem solar cells, achieving 30.35% efficiency alongside exceptional photostability with a T95 of 518 h.

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Continuous, fuel-cell-like operation of aluminum-air batteries via precipitate control and interfacial hydration

Shi et al. show that aluminum-air batteries can operate in a fuel-cell-like mode when discharge-product buildup, hydration, hydrogen release, and interfacial contact are controlled together. A replaceable anode pouch, electrolyte microdosing, and a compliant enclosure preserve reusable hardware while replenishing metal fuel, providing design principles for continuously operating machines powered by metal-air systems.

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Where to address N2 and reactive impurities in the CO2 electrochemical value chain?

Electrochemical CO2 reduction is a promising route to convert waste carbon into value-added chemicals. However, industrial CO2 feedstocks are dilute and contain reactive impurities such as O2, NOx, and SOx, which affect electrolyzer performance. Designing electrolyzers that can tolerate impurities reduces the need for upstream purification but then shifts the separation burden downstream, where purity requirements for synthesis are often stricter. This perspective examines where in the carbon value chain impurities should be addressed and concludes that upstream removal is generally optimal.

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High-throughput discovery of organic working solutions enabling radical photochemistry for scalable H2O2 production

Light-driven H2O2 production offers a sustainable alternative to the anthraquinone process, yet challenges in efficiency and scalability remain. Herein, we establish a radical photochemistry framework, integrating high-throughput screening and computation to optimize organic working solutions. This enables liter-scale H2O2 production beyond single-photon limits with high yield and purity.

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Toward scalable semitransparent organic photovoltaics: Slot-die-coated 210-cm2 modules with visible transmission of up to 50% and LUE up to 4%

Efficient semitransparent organic photovoltaic modules on areas > 200 cm2 are fabricated with scalable methods. They are based on a near-infrared reflecting back electrode and a metal-less polymeric front electrode. While the back electrode is sputtered, all other layers are deposited by slot-die coating. Visible transmissions of up to 50% and light utilization efficiencies of up to 4% are achieved, which constitute by far the highest values on larger areas, thus proving the successful upscaling of this technology.

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Enabling high-voltage and wide-temperature quasi-solid-state batteries via spatially engineered polyether electrolyte interfaces

(Joule 10, 102535; November 18, 2026)

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Topology-governed self-assembled monolayers enable perovskite solar cells stable at −100°C to +100°C

Topology-governed self-assembled monolayers establish dense buried interfaces in inverted perovskite solar cells. The meta-linked LY-m delivers 26.39% efficiency (certified 26.37%), with a 1.231 V open-circuit voltage and stable operation after −100°C to +100°C thermal cycling, results that link molecular topology to device reliability.

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Inline millisecond subcell current metrology for perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells

Messmer et al. demonstrate a transient electrical method that extracts both subcell currents of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells within milliseconds from a standard reverse current-voltage scan. Validated on full-size industrial devices, the approach enables inline subcell current monitoring without additional hardware or spectral modification.

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Interfacial charge transfer acceleration and thermal stress release for high-performance perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells

Du and colleagues introduce a rigid self-assembled monolayer, PhPADCB, to regulate the textured buried interface in perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. The molecular design improves conformal contact, accelerates interfacial charge transfer, mitigates thermal stress, and enables efficient and stable tandem photovoltaics.

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Small congeneric solvents for practical sodium metal batteries

We report that the size of congeneric solvents can strongly affect fast-cycling performance in metal batteries. Smaller solvents outperform their larger counterparts at high rates, while their similar behaviors at low rates suggest an electrochemical “leveling” effect. Generative screening accelerates electrolyte discovery and identifies DMFSA from a DMTMSA-derived chemical space. DMFSA-based electrolytes deliver ∼99.6% Coulombic efficiency, >4.9 V oxidative stability, and stable cycling at ∼6.0 mA cm−2. Our design principle shows feasibility in broader electrolyte and metal-electrode chemistries.

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From wasteland to wonderland: Releasing resupply potential from urban minerals of electric vehicle batteries and motors in China

Xiong et al. show that China’s end-of-life electric vehicles can become a technology-dependent urban mine for batteries and motors. Their model reveals high resupply potential for lithium, cobalt, neodymium, and dysprosium but persistent gaps for nickel and manganese, highlighting the need for collection, closed-loop recycling, and rare earth element recovery policies.

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Efficient battery electrolyte design for electric aircraft driven by physics-augmented AI

Traditional material design approaches struggle with the vast compositional space of electrolytes, leading to high development costs and hindering the practical deployment of electric aircraft. A physics-augmented AI design framework with accurate electrolyte property modeling is proposed to simultaneously improve the efficiency, reliability, and interpretability of high-dimensional electrolyte design, significantly reducing design resources and uncovering key mechanistic insights from statistical data to advance more rigorous electrolyte design principles for demanding eVTOL operations.

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Getting the balance right—Considerations of lithium enrichment for the fusion fuel cycle with a focus on nuclear non-proliferation

Future fusion reactors may rely on lithium-6 to breed tritium, but the very high enrichments proposed in some blanket concepts create a material of heightened proliferation concern while also imposing steep economic and engineering penalties. This paper argues that fusion scale-up should be paired with internationally recognized enrichment limits and safeguards and with breeder designs that avoid the highest-risk lithium-6 levels so deployment can proceed globally with stronger oversight, clearer material accountancy, improved international supply-chain monitoring, and lower proliferation risk.

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