Rapid global electrification is deepening cross-sector interdependence, fundamentally reshaping the resilience of energy systems in the face of intensifying climate extremes. While increased integration across energy generation, transmission, and consumption sectors can significantly enhance operational flexibility, it can also amplify the risk of cross-sector cascading failures under extreme weather

The utilization of power-to-X (PtX) technologies as a substitute for fossil fuels is a key instrument in defossilizing the global economy, potentially making a significant contribution to sustainability efforts. This must be ensured or at least supported by legal measures to maximize the full sustainability potential. Thus, in recent years, regulations have been created to ensure sustainable PtX production

Alex de Vries-Gao is a PhD candidate at the VU Amsterdam Institute for Environmental Studies and the founder of Digiconomist, a research company dedicated to exposing the unintended consequences of digital trends. His research focusses on the environmental impact of emerging technologies and has played a major role in the global discussion regarding the sustainability of blockchain technology and artificial

In their recent paper in Nature, Gao and colleagues report an aqueous-based recycling process capable of recovering all functional components from thermally degraded perovskite solar cells, including absorber materials, electrodes, and transport layers. Their method regenerates high-purity perovskites from aged devices, enabling new cells with efficiencies exceeding 23%, comparable to pristine devices

In a recent issue of Device, Zhang et al. describe an elastocaloric cooling system with two essential new features: a cam-driven mechanism reducing the overall size of the system and NiTi elastocaloric tubes with fin inner structures enabling a much better heat exchange.

Recently in Nature, Gao et al. reported a non-destructive lithium supply method for shattering the existing lifetime limit of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium trifluoromethanesulfinate (LiSO2CF3), discovered through machine learning, acts as an external lithium source, enabling a chromium oxide cathode to deliver a high energy density of 1,192 Wh kg−1. Meanwhile, the graphite|LiFePO4 cell displayed a

The long-term operational stability of CO2 reduction in membrane electrode assembly is significantly compromised by salt accumulation. In a recent issue of Nature Energy, Wang et al. revealed the mechanism of salt precipitation and proposed a strategy to suppress it by coating the cathodic channel with a hydrophobic layer.

Kyle Jiang is a PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He obtained his BSME degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and SM degree from MIT. His research focuses on liquid electrolytes for lithium metal anodes in high energy density rechargeable batteries.

[Display omitted] Ian Marius Peters is a physicist with over 20 years of experience in photovoltaic research. He has authored more than 300 scientific publications on sustainable energy systems, photovoltaic (PV) technologies, artificial intelligence in energy, and solar cost modeling. His career spans leading institutions including Fraunhofer ISE, SERIS, and MIT. He currently heads the High Throughput

Section snippets Main textOwing to their high thermal efficiency, unrivaled reliability, and long lifespan, piston internal combustion engines (ICEs) command over 99% of the market as prime movers for international ships and are expected to maintain this dominant role in the foreseeable future. Ammonia has been deemed as one of the most promising alternative fuels in the maritime sector, but its poor

Alexander Hoogsteyn obtained his MSc from KU Leuven in 2021 with a major in electrical engineering and minor in power system engineering. He then completed a traineeship at the EU Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators, after which he returned to KU Leuven to pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering at the Energy Systems Integration and Modeling research group. He is also affiliated with Energyville

Quantitative descriptors in electrolyte engineering facilitate the rational design of Zn-based aqueous batteries (ZABs). In a recent issue of Joule, Wang et al. proposed comprehensive criteria for selecting organic molecules for ZABs electrolytes. This preview summarizes the key criteria in electrolyte engineering and provides insights into the development of ZABs.

Battery cycling protocols are critical for battery performance evaluation and application. In a recent issue of Nature Energy, Onori et al. showed that compared to constant-current discharge with the same average current, batteries discharging under dynamic cycling protocols achieved 38% longer battery lifetime. This suggests typical lab experiments may be significantly over-estimating battery degradation

In recent issues of Nature and Science, Ma and colleagues demonstrate novel catalytic strategies for hydrogen production from alcohol reforming over γ-Mo2N and α-MoC supported metal catalysts, achieving excellent performance, even at near-zero carbon dioxide emission. These studies emphasize the importance of γ-Mo2N and α-MoC for sustainable hydrogen production.

Efficient energy storage is crucial for maximizing renewable energy use. Matuszek et al. reported in Nature a eutectic mixture storing 395 kJ/kg of sensible, latent, and thermochemical energy. This stable, cost-effective, and solvent-free material supports scalable storage, while photochemical control can reduce spontaneous heat loss in thermal storage systems.

Mengqi Liu received her bachelor’s degree in energy and power engineering from Shandong University in 2016 and a joint PhD degree in engineering thermophysics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2022. Now, she is a postdoctoral researcher at SJTU and a visiting scholar at NUS. Her research interests include micro/nanoscale thermal radiation, nonreciprocal

(Joule 9, 101818; April 16, 2025)

[Display omitted] Zia Wadud is a professor of mobility and energy futures at the University of Leeds. Zia’s research sits at the juncture of transport, energy, and the environment in a multidisciplinary setting, with a focus on new mobility and energy interactions, transport decarbonization, personal carbon budgeting and trading, and transport and energy data analysis. He has published over 75 articles

Achieving high performance and long durability is highly desired yet challenging for low-Pt membrane electrode assembly. Recently, in Journal of the American Chemical Society, a potential solution is provided by Chen, Wei, and colleagues via introducing a noncovered catalyst/ionomer interfacial structure to improve oxygen transport in the cathode catalyst layer.

As reported recently in Chem Catalysis, Domen and coworkers developed a facile filtration method for preparing photocatalyst sheets, achieving a solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency of 0.4% while also being capable of operating at atmospheric pressure, which opens a new way of fabricating efficient photocatalyst sheets for commercial-scale solar hydrogen production.

Electrode interphases are vital for energy storage performance, regulating ion transport and preventing side reactions. In a recent Journal of the American Chemical Society study, Wang et al. investigated how multi-salt electrolytes form stable, inorganic-rich interphases that enhance ionic transport, cycling efficiency, rate capability, and durability.

The increasing incidence of extreme heat events compromises the well-being of households who are energy insecure. To help households avoid catastrophic health outcomes, it is necessary to modernize energy insecurity policies and protections to ensure access to essential cooling services. Here, we discuss ways in which state governments can update their utility disconnection protections, the federal