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January 21, 2021
News Feature
Squeezing a rock-star material could make it stable enough for solar cells
A promising lead halide perovskite is great at converting sunlight to electricity, but it breaks down at room temperature. Now scientists have discovered how to stabilize it with pressure from a diamond anvil cell.
Illustration of a lead halide material being squeezed in a diamond anvil cell
January 13, 2021
News Feature
Yi Cui will receive E.O. Lawrence Award
A pioneer in clean energy technology at Stanford and SLAC, he is one of eight scientists and engineers honored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Photo of Stanford and SLAC Professor Yi Cui
January 11, 2021
News Feature
Study shows tweaking one layer of atoms on a catalyst’s surface can make it work better
The surprising results offer a way to boost the activity and stability of catalysts for making hydrogen fuel from water.
Illustration showing a book with layers of atoms on its pages
January 4, 2021
News Feature
First glimpse of polarons forming in a promising next-gen energy material
These fleeting disruptions, seen for the first time in lead hybrid perovskites, may help explain why these materials are exceptionally good at turning sunlight into electrical current in solar cells.
An illustration shows polarons as bubbles of distortion in a perovskite lattice
December 4, 2020
News Feature
Shapeshifting proteins provide electrons safe passage during photosynthesis
The results of a new scientific study reveal how photosynthetic reaction centers adapt to make light-driven reactions more efficient.
photosynthesis header
November 25, 2020
News Feature
External
Yi Cui, Risa Wechsler named AAAS fellows
Cui was honored for his work on materials chemistry for energy and the environment, and Wechsler for scientific contributions and leadership of large programs in cosmology.
Portraits of Yi Cui and Risa Wechsler
October 15, 2020
Press Release
A new approach boosts lithium-ion battery efficiency and puts out fires, too
Adding polymers and fireproofing to a battery’s current collectors makes it lighter, safer and about 20% more efficient.
Conceptual illustration of advantages of redesigned current collector
September 8, 2020
News Feature
Scientists probe the chemistry of a single battery electrode particle both inside and out
The results show how a particle’s surface and interior influence each other, an important thing to know when developing more robust batteries.
Closeup of an illustration showing how battery cathode material degrades
June 23, 2020
News Feature
SLAC’s Amy Cordones-Hahn and Brendan O’Shea receive DOE Early Career Awards
The prestigious awards provide at least $2.5 million over five years in support of their work in understanding photochemical reactions and improving accelerator beams.
SLAC staff scientists Amy Cordones-Hahn and Brendan O'Shea
June 22, 2020
News Feature
External
New battery electrolyte may boost the performance of electric vehicles
A new lithium-based electrolyte invented by Stanford University scientists could pave the way for the next generation of battery-powered electric vehicles.
Photo of vials containing new electrolyte for lithium metal batteries

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