The enhancement of energy density in lithium-ion batteries often comes with a decrease in cycle life. Sulfur-based lithium-ion batteries possess theoretical advantages of low cost and high specific energy, but currently, their energy density is limited and cycle life is short. Now, Huang's team has achieved simultaneous improvement in energy density and cycle life of sulfur-based batteries through ultra-low N/P ratio design and anion-mediated electrolyte engineering in the journal of Science Bulletin, unlocking the potential of sulfur-based lithium-ion batteries.

Scientists design an advanced digital twin technology that can significantly boost the performance, efficiency, and reliability of renewable energy storage systems. This innovative digital framework has the potential to alert operators of issues such as leaks, mechanical friction, or generator overloads in its physical doppelganger. The technology offers a sustainable solution for storing surplus renewable energy through compressed air systems and later releasing it to generate power on demand.

Single-crystal materials, characterized by structural uniformity and exceptional intrinsic properties, are crucial for high-performance device applications. A research team has now developed a universal method to produce large-scale single-crystal metal foils by establishing a fundamental correlation among strain, stored energy, texture, and single-crystal formation. The study reveals that sufficient deformation-stored energy is essential for generating a uniform cubic recrystallization texture, which reliably guides foils toward single-crystal conversion. This approach is compatible with cast, rolled, and electrodeposited precursors, and enables the scalable fabrication of single-crystal copper and nickel foils with both low- and high-index surfaces. These findings present a new paradigm for single-crystal metal manufacturing and lay a critical materials foundation for future industrial applications.