JoulePub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102099
Shangwei Zhou , Wenjia Du , Bastian Mager , Paul R. Shearing , Thomas S. Miller , Rhodri Jervis
{"title":"Batch diagnosis of batteries within one second","authors":"Shangwei Zhou , Wenjia Du , Bastian Mager , Paul R. Shearing , Thomas S. Miller , Rhodri Jervis","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As demand grows for scalable and sustainable energy storage, fast and affordable diagnostics are urgently needed, especially for factory-level cell sorting and second-life assessments. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is widely used but remains too slow, complex, and costly for large-scale use. This work introduces a multi-channel and multi-frequency electrical excitation response (MMER) technique that captures comparable impedance-related information at a fraction of the time and cost. MMER can diagnose entire battery modules in 1 s, regardless of cell count. It uses a binary multi-frequency excitation signal, implemented on simple hardware such as programmable logic devices. Unlike EIS, MMER avoids frequency-domain transformation and impedance fitting. Instead, it compares raw voltage responses under a shared excitation current to reveal performance variations. Experiments show MMER tracks cell health in line with EIS while reducing test time by over 99%. It supports real-time diagnostics even during high-rate cycling and extends to other electrochemical systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"9 9","pages":"Article 102099"},"PeriodicalIF":35.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144901177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JoulePub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102057
Feihong Du , Shihao Yang , Tian Yao , Donglin Han , Qiang Li , Shanyu Zheng , Ruhong Luo , Cenling Huang , Yifan Zhao , Yezhan Lin , Zhenhua Ma , Haotian Chen , Chenyu Guo , Haixin Qiu , Tiannan Yang , Xin Chen , Xiaoshi Qian
{"title":"Infinitesimal amount of perovskite quantum dots enhances electrocaloric cooling performances in diluted nanocomposites","authors":"Feihong Du , Shihao Yang , Tian Yao , Donglin Han , Qiang Li , Shanyu Zheng , Ruhong Luo , Cenling Huang , Yifan Zhao , Yezhan Lin , Zhenhua Ma , Haotian Chen , Chenyu Guo , Haixin Qiu , Tiannan Yang , Xin Chen , Xiaoshi Qian","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102057","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102057","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The advancement of high-performance electrocaloric (EC) cooling devices necessitates materials that exhibit robust EC effects under practical electric fields and that are suitable for industrial-scale production. Relaxor ferroelectric polymer nanocomposites represent a promising avenue. However, achieving high EC responses in current nanocomposites typically requires filler contents exceeding 5 vol %, resulting in material nonuniformity that limits practical applications. Here, we introduce a novel approach using nanocomposites with infinitesimally low loading of fillers that exploits interface effects to amplify dipolar responses, thereby significantly reducing the necessary filler content. We demonstrated that incorporating only 0.02 vol % CsPbBr<sub>3</sub> perovskite quantum dots into P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) doubled the EC effect, with a filler content an order of magnitude lower than those previously reported. Our findings provide a clear structural understanding of how dilute nanocomposites enhance the dipolar response in polymeric materials and extend this promising concept for improved dipolar response-related properties to ferroelectric materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"9 9","pages":"Article 102057"},"PeriodicalIF":35.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144756674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JoulePub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102089
Xu Gao , Biao Li , Anatolii V. Morozov , Leiting Zhang , Erik Elkaïm , Gwenaëlle Rousse , Artem M. Abakumov , Jean-Marie Tarascon
{"title":"Unconventional high-temperature cycling stability of O2-type Li0.75[Li0.25Mn0.75]O2 cathode","authors":"Xu Gao , Biao Li , Anatolii V. Morozov , Leiting Zhang , Erik Elkaïm , Gwenaëlle Rousse , Artem M. Abakumov , Jean-Marie Tarascon","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102089","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102089","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lithium-rich manganese-based oxides are promising cathode materials for high-energy lithium-ion batteries but suffer from capacity deterioration due to oxygen release, irreversible structural changes, and detrimental secondary reactions—all of which are known to be exacerbated at elevated temperatures, leading to inferior high-temperature cycling performance. Here, we report the discovery of an unconventional temperature-dependent behavior in an O2-type <span><math><mrow><msub><mtext>Li</mtext><mn>0.75</mn></msub><mrow><mo>[</mo><mrow><msub><mtext>Li</mtext><mn>0.25</mn></msub><msub><mtext>Mn</mtext><mn>0.75</mn></msub></mrow><mo>]</mo></mrow><msub><mi>O</mi><mn>2</mn></msub></mrow></math></span> cathode, which exhibits significantly improved cycling stability at an elevated temperature (55°C) compared with room temperature (RT), delivering high capacities of up to 300 mAh g<sup>−1</sup>. Combined structural and electrochemical analyses reveal that an <em>in situ</em>-formed ramsdellite-like surface layer, with tunnels oriented parallel to the crystallite surface, effectively protects the O-redox activity within the layered core but impedes the Li<sup>+</sup> diffusion into and out of the particle at RT. However, Li<sup>+</sup> diffusion through this protective surface layer is kinetically unlocked at elevated temperatures, resulting in improved capacity and cycling stability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"9 9","pages":"Article 102089"},"PeriodicalIF":35.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144797397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JoulePub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102090
Eric K. Zimmerer , Wentao Liang , Rachana Somaskandan , Elizabeth DeToma , Connor Fawcett , Andrea M. Bruck , Lu Ma , Steven N. Ehrlich , Qing Zhao , Joshua W. Gallaway
{"title":"Dynamics of disordered intermediates during the two-electron alkaline MnO2 conversion reaction for grid-scale batteries","authors":"Eric K. Zimmerer , Wentao Liang , Rachana Somaskandan , Elizabeth DeToma , Connor Fawcett , Andrea M. Bruck , Lu Ma , Steven N. Ehrlich , Qing Zhao , Joshua W. Gallaway","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102090","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102090","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Battery technologies beyond Li-ion are likely needed for extensive integration of grid-scale storage. The rechargeable Zn-MnO<sub>2</sub> chemistry has the potential for high sustainability, high safety, and low cost, using Earth-abundant basis materials. In an alkaline electrolyte, the MnO<sub>2</sub> cathode can cycle reversibly if modified by including a Bi-containing additive, although the cycling mechanism remains mostly unknown. This work presents an account of the intermediate species involved in the electrochemical transformation from layered <em>δ</em>-MnO<sub>2</sub> to Mn(OH)<sub>2</sub> and back. During charge, a disordered intermediate with a structure resembling layered <em>β</em>-MnOOH exists stably for an extended period, corresponding to a regime known to have unexpected electrochemical activity of Bi. During discharge, <em>β</em>-MnOOH exists only briefly and is never the majority material, revealing that the cycling mechanism is asymmetric. These findings represent a significant advance in mechanistic knowledge and can enable engineering to develop the system for commercial use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"9 9","pages":"Article 102090"},"PeriodicalIF":35.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144797554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JoulePub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102097
Yang Zhang , Yangsiyu Lu
{"title":"Mine photovoltaic systems for a sustainable energy transition","authors":"Yang Zhang , Yangsiyu Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span><figure><span><img><ol><li><span><span>Download: <span>Download high-res image (284KB)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span>Download: <span>Download full-size image</span></span></span></li></ol></span></figure></span>Yang Zhang is a PhD student in the Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Thrust at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). He received his bachelor’s degree from Dalian University of Technology and completed his master’s studies through a joint program between the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on the transition of fossil fuel infrastructures, the development of renewable energy systems, and the environmental challenges associated with energy transitions.</div><div><span><figure><span><img><ol><li><span><span>Download: <span>Download high-res image (378KB)</span></span></span></li><li><span><span>Download: <span>Download full-size image</span></span></span></li></ol></span></figure></span>Yangsiyu Lu is an assistant professor in the Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Thrust at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), where she leads the Energy Infrastructure and Climate Policy Lab. She holds a PhD in environmental economics from the University of Oxford, an ME in energy and environment from IMT Mines Albi, and an ME and BE in environmental science and engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on energy transitions, the investment in clean technology, and the management of climate risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"9 9","pages":"Article 102097"},"PeriodicalIF":35.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145098262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JoulePub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102055
Duong Nguyen Minh , Md Azimul Haque , Fengjiu Yang , Steven P. Harvey , Ross A. Kerner , Chun-Sheng Jiang , Nikita S. Dutta , Steven Hayden , Margherita Taddei , Xinwen Zhang , Melissa A. Davis , Kelly Schutt , Joseph M. Luther
{"title":"The reactive nature of formamidinium: Amine passivation induces heterostructure formation in inverted perovskite cells","authors":"Duong Nguyen Minh , Md Azimul Haque , Fengjiu Yang , Steven P. Harvey , Ross A. Kerner , Chun-Sheng Jiang , Nikita S. Dutta , Steven Hayden , Margherita Taddei , Xinwen Zhang , Melissa A. Davis , Kelly Schutt , Joseph M. Luther","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102055","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102055","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surface passivation via binding molecules is a strategy for eliminating electronic defects that arise from the abrupt termination of semiconductor lattices. Passivation is used in many systems, such as silanes on silicon surfaces, ligands on nanocrystals, and at interfaces. However, in halide perovskites, such strategies lead to complicated effects, such as the disruption of the crystal structure via molecular intercalation or change of dimensionality. Here, we demonstrate and detail that short diamines undergo a chemical reaction with the existing A-site molecule rather than attaching, forming a ringed molecule and thus, in turn, creating a well-defined and self-limited, lower-dimensional-oriented perovskite-perovskite heterostructure at the surface. Furthermore, we detail how the solvent polarity and the molecule of choice impact the final reaction composition and their effect on device performance. Our findings offer new insights into the perovskite surface chemistry of high-efficiency solar cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"9 9","pages":"Article 102055"},"PeriodicalIF":35.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144685105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JoulePub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102079
Sihui Peng , Jin Liu , Chao Liang , Ge Chen , Yapeng Shi , Zhipeng Miao , Wenlong Liang , Ting Zhang , Yunhang Xie , Yiqiang Zhang , Yanlin Song , Pengwei Li
{"title":"Achieving low-n value phases and unobstructed carrier transport toward high-performance quasi-2D perovskite solar cells and modules","authors":"Sihui Peng , Jin Liu , Chao Liang , Ge Chen , Yapeng Shi , Zhipeng Miao , Wenlong Liang , Ting Zhang , Yunhang Xie , Yiqiang Zhang , Yanlin Song , Pengwei Li","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102079","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102079","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Low-<em>n</em> value quasi-2D perovskites offer superior stability but suffer from inefficient charge transport. Here, we introduce a tyrosine (Tyr)-mediated phase regulation strategy to overcome this trade-off. By leveraging Tyr’s multifunctional active sites, we demonstrate its dual coordination with guanidinium (GA) cations and [PbI<sub>4</sub>]<sup>2−</sup> octahedra through hydrogen bonding and cation-π interactions, which selectively stabilizes low-<em>n</em> phases (<em>n</em> ≤ 3) and optimizes favorable crystallization. This interaction not only increases low-<em>n</em> phase content by 7-fold (from 5.67% to 36.72%) but also enhances interlayer charge coupling, yielding films with an improved carrier diffusion length exceeding 1 μm. Consequently, devices achieve 22.14% record efficiency with minimal hysteresis. Unencapsulated devices retain 96% efficiency after 2,000 h (45% ± 5% relative humidity [RH]) and 88% after 500 h (85°C). Remarkably, a 72.47 cm<sup>2</sup> module attains a certified 20.28% efficiency, demonstrating excellent scalability. This work provides a paradigm for harmonizing efficiency and stability in low-dimensional photovoltaics, advancing their commercial viability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"9 9","pages":"Article 102079"},"PeriodicalIF":35.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144797054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JoulePub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102056
Xuean Liu , Jiahao Zhang , Baochang Wang , Guoqing Tong , Jingting Yang , Yuxin Shi , Zicong Chen , Luis K. Ono , Yang Jiang , Yabing Qi
{"title":"Perovskite solar modules with high efficiency exceeding 20%: From laboratory to industrial community","authors":"Xuean Liu , Jiahao Zhang , Baochang Wang , Guoqing Tong , Jingting Yang , Yuxin Shi , Zicong Chen , Luis K. Ono , Yang Jiang , Yabing Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102056","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102056","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Perovskite solar cells/modules (PSCs/PSMs) have made significant advancements in both academic and industrial communities over the past decade due to their high efficiency, facile fabrication, low cost, and compatibility with tandem devices. To date, the record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSMs has primarily been achieved using the spin-coating method, combined with n-i-p and/or p-i-n configuration in laboratory-scale devices. By contrast, the slot-die coating method is widely used in the industrial community for manufacturing PSMs, typically with a p-i-n structure. One of the key challenges faced by researchers is transitioning this laboratory technique into industrial-scale production. In this review, we provide an overview of the current developments in PSMs, with efficiencies exceeding 20%, in both academic and industrial communities. We discuss various aspects such as device configurations, manufacturing techniques, module sizes, and commercialization process. Additionally, we outline the challenges faced by PSMs as they transition from laboratory research to industrial application and offer perspectives on bridging the efficiency gap between these these two cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"9 9","pages":"Article 102056"},"PeriodicalIF":35.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144756662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JoulePub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102131
Runyang Lian , Weihan Li
{"title":"Unlocking battery insights with interpretable machine learning","authors":"Runyang Lian , Weihan Li","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102131","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102131","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Interpretable machine learning combining data-driven models with physically meaningful features can improve battery health diagnostics. Recent studies in <em>Joule</em> and <em>Energy & Environmental Science</em> show how these approaches enhance transparency across battery production, testing, and application. This preview highlights these developments and their potential to advance understanding of battery processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"9 9","pages":"Article 102131"},"PeriodicalIF":35.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145072082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JoulePub Date : 2025-09-16DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102130
Jin An Sam Oh, Zihan Yu, Chen-Jui Huang, Phillip Ridley, Alex Liu, Tianren Zhang, Bing Joe Hwang, Kent J. Griffith, Shyue Ping Ong, Ying Shirley Meng
{"title":"Metastable sodium closo-hydridoborates for all-solid-state batteries with thick cathodes","authors":"Jin An Sam Oh, Zihan Yu, Chen-Jui Huang, Phillip Ridley, Alex Liu, Tianren Zhang, Bing Joe Hwang, Kent J. Griffith, Shyue Ping Ong, Ying Shirley Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.joule.2025.102130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2025.102130","url":null,"abstract":"All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) featuring a thick cathode layer paired with a high-capacity alloy anode offer enhanced energy density and reliable performance, even at subzero temperatures, and can outperform their liquid-based counterparts. Enabling such technology requires a solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity, mechanical formability, and excellent electrochemical stability. Here, we demonstrate that a kinetically stable orthorhombic Na<sub>3</sub>(B<sub>12</sub>H<sub>12</sub>)(BH<sub>4</sub>) phase exhibits a superionic conductivity of 4.6 mS cm<sup>−1</sup> at 30°C alongside excellent reduction stability. High-throughput molecular dynamic simulations reveal that the propensity for anion motion significantly enhances the population of highly mobile Na<sup>+</sup> without affecting the activation energy. By leveraging its high conductivity across a wide temperature range, this material enables the development of all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries with ultra-thick cathodes, delivering reliable functionality at room temperature and in subzero environments. This study expands our understanding of hydridoborate-based solid electrolytes, highlighting their potential in next-generation energy storage systems.","PeriodicalId":343,"journal":{"name":"Joule","volume":"71 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":39.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145067899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}