Energy news, December 2020

New study helps prevent nickel-rich, single crystal cathodes gliding to a halt

Researchers have discovered that a process known as crystal gliding is responsible for damage to single-crystal, nickel-rich cathodes in batteries.

Bone cathode boosts integrity of sodium-ion battery

By replicating the design of a mammal bone, researchers have improved the structural integrity of the cathode for a sodium-ion battery.

Don't forget cool use of thermoelectric materials

A team of researchers says it's time to step up efforts to find thermoelectric materials for cooling applications as well as power generation.

Nanosheets and graphene foam provide bridge to wearable micro-supercapacitors

By using nanosheets and graphene foam in an island-bridge design, researchers have developed stretchable micro-supercapacitor arrays.

Boosting solar energy conservation using photoswitches

Improved solar energy storage using a molecular machine

Dual-mode heating and cooling depending on the weather

Nanomaterial-based device that can heat or cool buildings

Flexible battery shows the power of printing

A new flexible, rechargeable, printable silver oxide-zinc battery can provide five to 10 times more power than current lithium-ion batteries.

New fluorescence in carbon nanotubes is worth the wait

Single-walled carbon nanotubes can emit a delayed secondary fluorescence when triggered by a process involving dye molecules and oxygen.

New tool maps out quantum landscape of 2D materials

A new tool that uses light to map out the electronic structures of 2D crystals could reveal the capabilities of emerging quantum materials.

Graphene pipe delivers more efficient cooling

Researchers have found that their new graphene-based heat pipe is better at cooling electronics and power systems than a copper-based heat pipe.

New nanomaterial device can blow hot or cold

By switching between two different nanomaterial sheets, engineers have produced a dual-mode heating and cooling device for buildings.

Wayward titanium atom makes crystal a poor thermal conductor

A titanium atom that wants to be in two places at once is responsible for the poor thermal conductivity of the crystalline solid barium titanium sulfide.

New cathode and electrolyte power-up magnesium batteries

A magnesium battery with a new cathode and electrolyte can deliver a power density comparable to that of lithium-ion batteries.

Plasma processing for rapid perovskite production

Researchers have developed an ultrafast way, based on plasma processing, to produce stable perovskite cells and assemble them into solar modules.

Openings for Editors - Acta Journals