Although central to the global energy mix, certain technologies like nuclear energy receive comparatively little attention at Nature Energy. We aim to reflect the diversity of innovation driving the energy transition, including critical advances in systems design and engineering that enable these technologies.

The upscaling of kesterite photovoltaics is challenging and results in low performance. Xiang et al. tune the thiourea/metal precursor ratio to improve the morphology of the kesterite film, achieving 10.1% certified power conversion efficiency in 10.48-cm² modules.

Integrating CO₂ capture and electrochemical conversion avoids the thermal release of CO₂ and thus could potentially lower the energy needed to make useful products from CO₂, but choosing optimal system components is still challenging. Here the authors use piperazine alongside a nickel catalyst for capture and achieve high energy efficiency and stable CO production.

The phase-out of coal will require targeted strategies. New research assesses the retirement vulnerability of coal plants in the USA based on similarity to plants with announced retirements. The findings highlight strategies to guide and accelerate phase-out.

Conventional solid-state electrolyte design is limited by dopant–lattice compatibility. This work introduces solid dissociation, using halide van der Waals materials to dissolve salts and create amorphous conductors with high ionic conductivity and potential for use in devices.

Ion association in electrolytes enables a robust protective layer on battery electrodes but compromises thermal stability. Here Yi-Chun Lu and colleagues develop an electrolyte-based strategy that preserves this benefit while enabling safer lithium-ion batteries.

Thermal stability remains a key challenge for organic photovoltaics. Qin et al. now propose a strategy that stabilizes multiple components of the devices, enhancing their resilience under damp heat and thermal cycling conditions.

Electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction are typically prepared and optimized ex situ before the reaction begins, but during reactions they may undergo changes that lower their performance. Here the authors show that active Cu catalysts can be formed on a recoverable basis and removed in situ during the CO₂ reduction reaction, improving the stability of the system.

Uncontrolled crystallization of perovskite limits the performance of solar cells. Zhou et al. address this through aromatic interactions between naphthalene ammonium salts and naphthalenesulfonates, achieving improved efficiency in cells and modules.

Although central to the global energy mix, certain technologies like nuclear energy receive comparatively little attention at Nature Energy. We aim to reflect the diversity of innovation driving the energy transition, including critical advances in systems design and engineering that enable these technologies.