Nature Energy, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02133-3

Solid electrolytes have long been treated as materials that block electronic conduction while enabling fast lithium-ion transport. Two studies now show that residual electronic conductivity can drive self-discharge in solid-state batteries at open circuit, particularly in thin practical cells, and identify the limits needed to ensure long shelf life.

Nature Energy, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02086-7

Lithium-sulfur batteries have long been limited by lower operating voltage and shorter lifetime compared to traditional lithium-ion technologies. Now, system-level engineering enables the conversion of sulfur to disulfur dichloride, accessing the S+1 oxidation state, thereby delivering higher voltage and improved cycling stability.

Nature Energy, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02127-1

Ultrawide-bandgap perovskites are essential for all-perovskite triple-junction solar cells, yet their high bromide content causes surface wrinkling and halide disorder, limiting the performance. A surface reconstruction and halide homogenization strategy now enables a certified efficiency of 29.3% in all-perovskite triple-junction devices.

Nature Energy, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02132-4

Integrated photovoltaics need design innovation and cross-sector collaboration

Nature Energy, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02120-8

Rechargeable Li–S batteries offer high energy density but are limited by low voltage, sluggish kinetics and polysulfide shuttling. Here the authors report a chlorine-mediated Li||S2Cl2 chemistry enabling reversible three-electron sulfur redox with increased voltage and capacity.

Nature Energy, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02135-1

Ultrawide-bandgap perovskites suffer from heterogeneities during crystallization. Zhang et al. use solvent and additive engineering to smooth the process for 2.0-eV bandgap perovskites, enabling 30.1% efficiency in all-perovskite triple-junction solar cells.