Lightning-inspired method makes ammonia with no catalyst
Plasma-enabled electrolysis produces the vital gas in high purity – but also consumes much more energy than current methods
Foam catalyst performs hydrogen evolution in neutral conditions
Structure decouples water dissociation and hydrogen evolution processes
Triangle molecule charges up aluminium batteries
Cathode made from triangular macrocycle hosts complex metal cations in a rechargeable aluminium battery
Oil boosts battery shelf life by supressing corrosion
Off-grid storage in remote locations could benefit from concept that cuts self-discharge in aluminium–air batteries
Engineered protein mimics photosynthesis to capture carbon
Genetically modified enzyme rivals heavy metal catalysts in photochemical carbon dioxide reduction
The luck of the materials scientist
Studying the structure of disordered materials is complicated, but Simon Billinge explains how it opens the door to designer materials with desired properties
The scientists Making Our Planet Great Again
Four researchers explain why they answered President Macron’s call to come to France
Liquid metal turns back time on fossil fuel burning
Electrochemical reduction with liquid metal electrode converts carbon dioxide back into carbon
Low wind power costs pump up hydrogen economy prospects
Combining clean energy sources with electrolysis is already cost competitive for producing gas for niche applications
Microwave process decarbonises fossil fuels and generates hydrogen
New catalytic approach turns hydrocarbons into hydrogen fuel and solid carbon, which could be stored underground or turned into high-value products
Bacteria farm yields thermoelectric paper
Sustainable route to sustainable energy
Plasmonic photocatalysts flatten reaction barriers
Light-driven reactions under mild conditions made possible with metal plasmonic nanoparticles
Bifunctional catalyst enables direct production of liquid fuels from syngas
Zeolite-supported cobalt nanoparticles enable selective Fischer–Tropsch conversion of syngas to gasoline, jet fuel and diesel
Silk cocoon-shaped electrocatalyst for water splitting
Cobalt polysulfide shows promise as low-cost alternative to platinum group catalysts
Complex metal oxides open passage to fast-charging devices
Chemists make lithium-ion battery electrodes made from niobium tungsten oxides that can rapidly intercalate large quantities of lithium
Quantum dot heat engine works without moving parts
Similar systems could be used to generate electricity from waste heat in solar cells
Water splitting demonstrated in microgravity
Drop tower experiments show how future oxygen-generating systems could work in space
Solid electrolyte boosts liquid metal battery
Combining molten metal electrodes with a solid electrolyte may offer a cheap, scalable alternative to Li-ion batteries
Enzyme survives blistering conditions to rapidly break down cellulose
Ionic liquid protects enzyme as it turns woody biomass into sugars 30 times faster than previously possible
Mapping the mysteries of pervoskite solar cell hysteresis
Caught on camera: interfacial stabilisation observed causing hysteresis means mobile ion migration is off the hook
Carb-loaded enzyme cocktail generates hydrogen
Space-saving alternative to solar water splitting