Control of the lattice alignment within perovskite films is crucial to achieving stable and efficient devices. Now, the sublimation of volatile species from a two-dimensional perovskite enables the controlled growth of three-dimensional α-formamidinium lead iodide films. The highly orientated perovskite films yield a solar cell with good operational stability and device efficiency.

Solar interfacial desalination could enable the sustainable production of freshwater, but scale-up remains challenging. Now, analysis of the efficiency and costs of a large-scale interfacial desalination system operating outdoors over nearly four months suggests that scale-up is associated with high capital investment and a lower water production rate compared with laboratory-scale devices.

Electrochemical acetaldehyde production from CO₂ could provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based methods but catalyst development is typically slow. Now, a high-throughput method accelerates the catalyst selection and production process from years to a few months, resulting in the identification of a copper cluster catalyst with 92% selectivity for acetaldehyde from CO₂.

Control of the lattice alignment within perovskite films is crucial to achieving stable and efficient devices. Now, the sublimation of volatile species from a two-dimensional perovskite enables the controlled growth of three-dimensional α-formamidinium lead iodide films. The highly orientated perovskite films yield a solar cell with good operational stability and device efficiency.

Solar interfacial desalination could enable the sustainable production of freshwater, but scale-up remains challenging. Now, analysis of the efficiency and costs of a large-scale interfacial desalination system operating outdoors over nearly four months suggests that scale-up is associated with high capital investment and a lower water production rate compared with laboratory-scale devices.

Electrochemical acetaldehyde production from CO₂ could provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based methods but catalyst development is typically slow. Now, a high-throughput method accelerates the catalyst selection and production process from years to a few months, resulting in the identification of a copper cluster catalyst with 92% selectivity for acetaldehyde from CO₂.

A crystal defect design enables β-Li₃N, a ‘hexagonal warrior’ solid-state electrolyte for all-solid-state lithium metal batteries with a long cycle life.

Maritime transportation is often considered a ‘hard to abate’ sector, meaning it is difficult to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Using high-resolution data on ship activity, a techno-economic analysis indicates that electrifying US domestic ships of lower than 1,000 gross tonnage to reduce emissions could become cost effective, if a small percentage of long trips are excluded.

Electrochemical engineering offers a route to renewably powered CO₂ capture. Now, fluorescence spectroscopy diagnostics provides a means to probe the fundamental mechanisms within these otherwise opaque systems.