A wide range of policies and actions can be used to address energy insecurity, and there are many actors and institutions to carry them out. This Perspective provides an overview of the many levers, or opportunities, that electricity sector actors have to reduce energy insecurity and affordability in the United States.

Cations play a crucial role in electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ and CO to fuels and chemicals, influencing activity and selectivity. This Review explores their effects as indirect mediators, energetic modulators and electron-transfer participants, highlighting key mechanistic insights and knowledge gaps.

Controlling the hydrothermal reaction kinetics during the fabrication of Sb₂(S,Se)₃ solar cells is challenging. Chen Qian et al. show that sodium sulfide buffers the pH and allows a controlled release of Se, enabling a certified efficiency of 10.7%.

Sluggish interfacial charge transfer in Li-metal batteries limits ultrafast charging and causes side reactions. The authors design solvent molecules to enhance Li⁺ coordination, improving the charge-transfer kinetics and enabling stable high-rate cycling of Li-metal cells.

The safe operation of large-scale batteries remains challenging, as thermal runaway in ampere-hour-level cells is still unresolved and the link between electrolyte flame retardancy and battery safety is unclear. Here the authors report a polymerizable non-flammable electrolyte that forms a protective cross-linked barrier, suppresses side reactions and prevents thermal runaway.

This study presents the Global Covenant of Mayors Energy Access and Poverty Pillar and analyses its first-year implementation across 1,354 municipalities that account for 296 million people, revealing adoption patterns and sectoral priorities.

The formation of α-phase formamidinium–caesium metal halide perovskites is hindered by limited Cs⁺ incorporation. He et al. use caesium 4-(diphenylphosphino)benzoate to enable efficient Cs⁺ doping and achieve solar cells with an efficiency of 26.6%.

Self-assembled hole-selective molecules can enable high performance in perovskite solar cells, but controlling the hole extraction efficiency is challenging. Tianyu Li et al. address this by designing molecules that adopt a quasi-random orientation on the substrate.

Solution processing of 2D/3D perovskite structures for solar cells offers limited control over layer formation. Lee et al. propose a dry approach, bringing the 2D and 3D perovskite layers into physical contact, to enhance the quality of the perovskite film.

Voltage losses at the perovskite/C₆₀ interface limit the efficiency of perovskite solar cells. Mubai Li et al. design an electron-selective charge-transport self-assembled monolayer that balances electron extraction and the interfacial charge-carrier density.

The USA’s electricity network remains underdeveloped and fragmented in ways that threaten the reliability, resilience and affordability of electricity as well as clean energy goals. The design of its grid governance is largely to blame for insufficient investment in electricity transmission, making governance reforms a critical precondition to constructing a stronger grid.

Every paper we publish is shaped by a dedicated team of production, art, copy, and editorial staff who guide it from submission to publication. This Q&A series highlights their behind-the-scenes work.

Every paper we publish is shaped by a dedicated team of production, art, copy, and editorial staff who guide it from submission to publication. This Q&A series highlights their behind-the-scenes work. Here, we speak with Kevin Sheridan, Subeditor at the journal, about his responsibilities and how they fit into the broader editorial workflow.

Every paper we publish is shaped by a dedicated team of production, art, copy, and editorial staff who guide it from submission to publication. This Q&A series highlights their behind-the-scenes work — here we speak with Robert Parker, Production Editor at the journal, about his responsibilities and how they fit into the broader editorial workflow.