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Physicists clarify key mechanism behind energy release in Molybdenum-93

A team of physicists identified the dominant mechanism responsible for energy release in molybdenum-93m using high-precision experiments. Inelastic nuclear scattering is confirmed to be the primary driver of isomer depletion under experimental conditions, contradicting previous hypotheses about nuclear excitation by electron capture.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2026

Batteries from rust? Carbon spheres filled with iron oxide deliver high storage capacity

Researchers at Saarland University have developed carbon spheres filled with iron oxide, achieving promising results for environmentally friendly lithium-ion batteries. The material's storage capacity increases over time as the iron oxide is electrochemically activated, making it a potential solution for renewable energy storage.

SourceSaarland University·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2026

Electric eel biology inspires powerful gel battery

Researchers at Penn State develop a hydrogel-based battery that mimics the electrical processes of electric eels, producing higher power densities than previous designs. The battery is non-toxic, flexible, and environmentally stable, making it suitable for biomedical applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2026

CNU research explains how boosting consumer trust unlocks the $4 billion market for retired EV batteries

A team of researchers from Chonnam National University explores how boosting consumer trust can increase adoption of second-life EV battery tech. They found that transparent safety inspections and tailored messaging can improve adoption outcomes.

Engineered biochar–clay “thermal sponge” turns waste wood into a green cooling battery for buildings

Researchers have developed a new composite material that stores and releases heat, reducing temperature swings in buildings. The engineered biochar-clay hybrid increased energy storage capacity by 223% and improved thermal conductivity, demonstrating potential for real-world applications.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

Discarded cigarette butts transformed into high performance energy storage materials

Researchers have created a method to convert waste cigarette butts into nitrogen and oxygen co-doped nanoporous biochar with exceptional performance as an electrode material for supercapacitors. The material achieved a specific capacitance of nearly 345 farads per gram, demonstrating its potential for real-world applications.

Researchers achieve breakthrough in transition metal fluorides cathodes for thermal batteries

Researchers have developed a new approach to suppressing the shuttle effect in transition metal fluoride cathodes, leading to unprecedented discharge plateau voltage and high-performance thermal battery cathodes. The study focused on thermal batteries and utilized an ion-sieving concept to achieve selective confinement.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2026

Ultrathin ferroelectric capacitors for next-generation memory devices

Researchers from Japan successfully downscaled a total ferroelectric memory capacitor stack to just 30 nm, maintaining high remanent polarization and paving the way for compact and efficient on-chip memory. This breakthrough demonstrates compatibility with semiconductor devices and paves the way for future technologies.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2026

Magnetic control of lithium enables a safe, explosion-free ‘dream battery’

A new hybrid anode technology has been developed that delivers higher energy storage while reducing thermal runaway and explosion risks. The 'magneto-conversion' strategy applies an external magnetic field to ferromagnetic manganese ferrite conversion-type anodes, promoting uniform lithium ion transport and preventing dendrite formation.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateDec 21, 2025

Researchers develop new system for high-energy-density, long-life, multi-electron transfer bromine-based flow batteries

Researchers developed a novel bromine-based two-electron transfer reaction system to improve zinc-bromine flow batteries. The new system achieves high energy density and long lifespan with ultra-low bromine concentration, reducing electrolyte corrosivity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Energy·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 19, 2025

Unveiling how sodium-ion batteries can charge faster than lithium-ion ones

Researchers found that sodium-ion batteries using hard carbon negative electrodes can reach faster charging rates than lithium-ion batteries, thanks to the pore-filling mechanism. This process is limited by the efficiency of ion aggregation within the electrode's nanopores, which requires less energy for sodium insertion.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

Transforming acoustic waves with a chip

Researchers have developed a new acoustic wave-producing technology on an electronic chip, enabling customizable curved waves for trapping objects, routing wave information, and transporting fluids. This innovation has significant potential in medical applications, such as noninvasive surgery and biosensors.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2025

Revolutionizing the skies: Hydrogen tanks paving the way for zero-emission flights

This survey reviews cutting-edge hydrogen tank technologies, exploring how to safely store gaseous or liquid hydrogen in extreme conditions. Key advancements promise to transform aviation, with materials like carbon fiber-reinforced polymers offering exceptional strength-to-weight ratios and reducing the weight of hydrogen tanks.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·TypeSurvey·DateNov 24, 2025

"Ice-fire" forge crafts wafer-scale energy storage capacitors in just one second

A new fabrication method has been developed to create wafer-scale energy storage capacitors with astonishing heating and cooling rates of up to 1,000 °C per second. This 'flash annealing' technique enables the synthesis of high-performance relaxor antiferroelectric films on silicon wafers in just one second.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2025

Chung-Ang University researchers develop interlayer material for lithium-sulfur batteries

The team's novel findings use metal-organic framework-derived hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers with low-coordinated cobalt single-atom catalysts to enhance redox kinetics and suppress dissolution of lithium polysulfides. This synergistic design enables high-capacity retention and superior rate performance over hundreds of cycles.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalAdvanced Fiber Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2025

Hanyang University researchers develop novel facet guided metal plating strategy, improving stability anode-free metal batteries

The researchers developed a novel facet-guided metal plating strategy using Zn as the host metal, which promotes uniform metal growth and suppresses dendrite formation. The strategy improved battery stability, retaining 87.58% of its initial capacity over 900 cycles.

SourceHanyang University Research Strategy Planning Team·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2025

The UJI is leading an innovative project on next-generation batteries that could promote diversification in the ceramics industry and benefit companies involved in energy storage

The UJI is leading a project to develop advanced solid electrolytes for lithium and sodium metal batteries using additive manufacturing techniques. This will allow the ceramics industry to explore new avenues for diversification and promote knowledge transfer to the emerging regional energy storage industry.

Novel technique shines light on next-gen nanomaterials: how MXenes truly work

Researchers discovered how individual MXene flakes behave at the single-flake level, revealing changes in conductivity and optical response. The new spectroscopic micro-ellipsometry technique allowed for non-destructive measurements of individual MXene flakes, providing fundamental knowledge needed to design smarter technologies.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2025

Hanbat National University study finds quantum computing can make homes smarter and greener

A new study from Hanbat National University demonstrates how quantum reinforcement learning can optimize residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for improved energy efficiency and indoor air quality. The technology reduces power consumption by up to 63% and decreases electricity costs by up to 64%.

SourceHanbat National University Industry–University Cooperation Foundation·JournalEnergy and AI·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 2, 2025

Inexpensive multifunctional composite paves the way to a circular economy

Researchers at Shinshu University developed a novel copper-cobalt oxide composite that excels in energy storage, environmental remediation and water splitting. The material boasts high specific capacitance, exceptional stability and numerous active catalytic sites, making it a promising low-cost alternative to conventional catalysts.

SourceShinshu University·JournalAdvanced Composites and Hybrid Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2025

Porous radical organic framework improves lithium-sulphur batteries

A team of researchers has developed a new material that enhances the capacity and stability of lithium-sulphur batteries by trapping polysulphides in open pores, reducing battery life shortening. The material improves Li-S battery performance to over 1,500 cycles with minimal capacity loss.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2025

Controllable etching construction of nickel-based Prussian blue analog nanocages for stabilized energy storage in aqueous nickel-zinc batteries

Researchers developed a new method to create nickel-based Prussian blue analog nanocages that retain an intact skeleton, boosting specific surface area and ion transfer distance. This improves the performance of aqueous nickel-zinc batteries, achieving high energy density and power density.

SourceGreen Chemical Engineering·JournalGreen Chemical Engineering·DateSep 7, 2025

Researchers demonstrate new technique for controlling phase boundaries in thin films

A new technique for controlling phase boundaries in thin films allows researchers to engineer lead-free energy storage materials with promising dielectric properties. By manipulating the film thickness, they can control the distribution of crystalline structures and enhance specific characteristics of the material.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2025

Chungnam National University researchers develop next-gen zinc batteries: artificial polymer nanolayers improve zinc battery stability

Researchers at Chungnam National University developed a new ultra-thin protective layer using polyacrylic acid to prevent dendrite growth and enhance battery performance. The zinc-bonded polyacrylic acid coating proved remarkably durable, resisting dissolution in aqueous solutions and promoting uniform distribution of zinc-ions.

SourceChungnam National University Evaluation Team·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2025