Nature Energy, Published online: 02 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02108-4

Manipulating surface strain in epitaxial transition metal films can enhance electrocatalytic activity, yet maintaining long-term performance is challenging due to irreversible strain relaxation. Here the authors identify a thickness-dependent critical strain in epitaxial Pt/Ir films that optimizes stability and activity for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Nature Energy, Published online: 29 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02087-6

While electrochemical degradation in lithium-ion batteries is well studied, the role of stack pressure in long-term cycling remains unclear. Here the researchers use a high-precision pressure-controlled dilatometry tool to optimize stack pressure and understand how it prolongs battery lifetime.

Nature Energy, Published online: 26 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02069-8

Over 800 GB of high-resolution operational solar tower power plant data have been compiled to form an open-access interface that complies with FAIR data principles. This database, known as PAINT, democratizes access to structured operational data, with the goal of facilitating the development of data-driven solutions in solar tower research.

Nature Energy, Published online: 26 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02094-7

Alkaline water electrolysers are being optimized for higher performance, but measures such as advanced electrodes or thinner separators can increase hydrogen crossover and safety risks. Here the authors analyse crossover behaviour and show that a gas recombination catalyst cuts crossover by 95% without affecting electrolyser performance.

Nature Energy, Published online: 25 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02085-8

Overcoming the trade-off between colouration and high solar reflectance is a challenge for radiative cooling materials. Now, an ethyl cellulose coating fabricated in one step achieves vibrant structural colours with negligible solar absorption and high long-wave infrared emission. This coating enables sub-ambient daytime cooling of up to 9 °C under sunlight.

Nature Energy, Published online: 25 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02088-5

Perovskite solar cells are a leading candidate for next-generation commercial photovoltaics, but their sensitivity to heat and moisture limits their practical use. Now, a cascade hole-transfer strategy is developed to suppress charge recombination in hybrid perovskite/organic solar cells while offering intrinsic moisture stability.

Nature Energy, Published online: 25 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02095-6

Decarbonizing medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is challenging, and the relative benefits of batteries versus fuel cells remain uncertain across applications. This modelling work shows that both reduce emissions versus diesel, but battery electric vehicles powered by renewable electricity deliver the lowest life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions in most cases.

Nature Energy, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41560-026-02098-3

Quantifying X-ray damage