Collections
Energy storage and batteries
In this collection, we explore energy storage and battery research, covering innovative battery chemistries, materials design, device fabrication techniques, solutions to transition to clean energy, and applications including electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage, and portable electronics.
Highlights
Building better batteries
The next generation of battery technologies might pack significantly more power into the electric cars and mobile devices of the future. James Mitchell Crow reports
The lithium rush
Move over, gold; lithium is now the metal in global demand. Kit Chapman untangles the global politics around the sought-after resource
The long-term energy storage challenge
In a renewably powered future, how will the grid cope when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing? Rachel Brazil looks at the options
The elements of energy storage
Chemistry is a key component of clean energy
Battery recyclers race to increase capacity and efficiency
As battery demand grows, recycling needs to capture more of the valuable resources in each cell
ResearchIodide addition could make high energy lithium-sulfur batteries commercially viable
Next generation batteries given self-healing properties and vastly improved electronic conductivity by sulfur iodide inclusion
ResearchClever cathode design opens doors to first rechargeable calcium battery
Rejigging redox chemistry overcomes some limitations of calcium batteries but they remain a long way from the market
ArticleMicrosoft’s AI and high-performance computing system powers new battery discovery
Azure Quantum Elements platform speeds up discovery of solid-state electrolyte from decades to weeks
BusinessNorthvolt to bring sodium-ion batteries to European market
Swedish firm highlights cells’ cheap and sustainable materials for energy storage
WhitepaperThe science of battery electrolyte design
Download this free white paper now to discover how to quantify key aspects of electrolyte safety and performance, and optimize designs with cutting-edge technology
ResearchPeeking inside lithium-ion batteries offers new ways to put a stop to deadly fires
Understanding why batteries overheat could make them safer
BusinessRapid-charging batteries with magnetic assistance
UK spin-out Gaussion aims to charge electric vehicles in minutes
WebinarBattery material changes in real-time: silicon anode structural evaluation via isothermal microcalorimetry
Join us on 9 November to learn about battery material changes and how to accelerate battery development using cutting-edge in-operando isothermal microcalorimetry
NewsLarge-scale hydrogen storage must be kick-started now to reach net zero
Royal Society calls for action to solve problem of intermittent renewables with huge expansion in energy storage
ResearchLithium discovery in US volcano could be biggest deposit ever found
Find could point to new ways to prospect for material in high demand for batteries.
ResearchPhotoactivated cycloaddition can store solar energy for decades in strained molecules
A reversible cycloaddition triggered with visible light offers new opportunities for solid-state energy storage
ResearchSupercapacitor cement could supercharge renewable energy storage
Addition of carbon black is all that’s needed to allow cement to hold charge
ResearchSimple sugar sweetens the deal for improving performance of flow batteries
Promising solution to large scale grid storage boosted by up to 60% by adding cyclodextrin to electrolyte
ResearchPhosphorus and sulfur team up to create efficient redox flow batteries
A new class of molecules with ‘extreme potentials and high stability’ could compete with commercial technologies
NewsLithium-ion battery pioneer John Goodenough dies at 100
Tributes paid to the inventor of the lithium–ion battery, who has passed away a month before his 101st birthday
ResearchLithium dendrite understanding will help unpick durability issues of solid-state batteries
Fractures found to occur in two stages, with cracks initially occurring at pores
OpinionBattery materials going up in smoke
We cannot afford to simply throw away, rather than recycle, these valuable resources
ResearchBiocompatible battery starves cancer cells of oxygen
Implantable self-charging battery creates hypoxic conditions to help kill tumour cells
NewsHydrogen champion calls on UK government to work with industry to scale-up investment
Transport and storage infrastructure needed to reach 10GW by 2030
ResearchDeveloping custom apparatus to determine battery electrolyte sweet spots
Susan Perkin discusses the unique technique she uses to understand liquids and how they interact with surfaces
OpinionHolding the keys to a powerful future
Competition to build battery supply chains means supercharging support to attract investment
BusinessUK battery industry plans running down as Britishvolt fails
Political uncertainty risks UK losing out to China, US and EU
ResearchFlexible batteries kept stable with stretchy metallic films
Liquid metals that block out air and water could improve the lifetime of stretchable electronics
ResearchBattery assembly robot brings factory consistency to the lab
System serves as a bridge between singular lab-made cells and pilot line production