Nature Energy, Published online: 31 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02118-2

Low-frequency electrochemical responses in lithium-ion battery electrodes are widely interpreted as signatures of solid-state lithium diffusion. Here the authors show that electrolyte penetration in porous cathode particles can generate similar diffusion-like behaviour independent of bulk diffusion.

Nature Energy, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02106-6

Converting plastic waste into jet fuel could help decarbonize aviation, but upcycling routes often require high pressures and long reaction times. New research demonstrates that catalysts based on atomically-dispersed Ru atoms on oxide supports can rapidly convert waste plastics into jet fuel components under mild conditions.

Nature Energy, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02117-3

Evaporation-driven power generators are often limited by non-directional fluid flow, which reduces their efficiency. Guided by machine learning, Wu et al. developed a vertical microrod generator that improves ion transport, increasing efficiency and power density.