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Eutectic aqueous–organic electrolytes enable highly reversible zinc–manganese batteries without acid addition. By regulating the water-bonding network, beneficial manganese oxide phases are deposited and stripped while gas formation is suppressed, achieving ultraextended cycling.

By utilizing a nitrogen-rich carbon host with good conductivity to kinetically limit Li-ion extraction and shift the potential for sulfide conversion to sulfur, argyrodite decomposition in solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries is largely suppressed. Li–S cells delivering an areal capacity of 11.3 mAh cm⁻², with 90% retention over 200 cycles at lower areal capacity, are demonstrated.

Achieving high-performance aqueous Zn-metal batteries is a challenge. Here, authors report a eutectic electrolyte that concurrently enables selective Zn²⁺ intercalation at the cathode and highly reversible Zn metal plating/stripping, resulting in a benchmark high-areal capacity Zn anode-free cell.

Intensive research is underway to develop solid-state electrolytes for rechargeable batteries. Here the authors report a family of mixed-metal halospinel electrolytes that exhibits promising properties for high-performance solid-state batteries.

Better understanding of the chemistry of rechargeable metal–oxygen batteries is needed to fulfil their potential. It is now shown that proton phase-transfer catalysts drive Na–O₂ batteries, transporting superoxide between the electrode surface and the electrolyte as HO₂. The chemistry uncovered gives rise to the system's high reversible capacity.

The lithium–O₂ battery can theoretically provide energy densities that greatly exceed that of Li-ion, but it requires more efficient catalysts (or ‘promoters’) than carbon for oxygen reduction and evolution. Here, we report a tailor-made mesoporous metallic oxide that results in high reversible capacities and operates over many cycles.

An aluminium–chalcogen battery operating with a molten-salt electrolyte composed of NaCl–KCl–AlCl₃ is presented, which allows rapid charging at up to 200C for hundreds of cycles, and is scalable, fire-resistant and low cost.

High-performing positive electrode materials are crucial for the development of aqueous Zn-ion batteries. Here the authors report a battery based on reversible intercalation of Zn ions in a layered Zn_0.25V₂O₅⋅nH₂O-based positive electrode, which exhibits high-capacity and long-term cycling stability.

Li dendrite formation is a major obstacle in the development of Li metal batteries. Nazar and colleagues present a protection method for the Li metal by an in situ synthesis of Li-based surface alloy composites, and demonstrate promising battery applications.

The microstructure of alkali metals in anode-free cells is currently unknown. Here, using a combination of focused ion beam and electron backscatter diffraction, this morphology is investigated, with in situ scanning electron microscopy showing dynamic grain coarsening during electrodeposition.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc metal batteries represent a promising solution to the storage of renewable energy on the gigawatt scale. For a standardized set of protocols for their electrochemical performance measurements, we highlight the current common issues and recommend practices for future studies.

Conventional chemical engineering has limitations on heat transfer, leading to large setups. Here, authors propose a distributed electrified heating method, realizing fast and uniform heating of gaseous reactants, promising an energy-concentrated and compact reactor design.

Polygenic scores for body mass index and obesity constructed using data from 5 million people with different ancestries were associated with distinct weight gain trajectories from early childhood to adulthood.

Genome-wide ancient DNA data from individuals from the Middle Bronze Age to Iron Age documents large-scale movement of people from the European continent between 1300 and 800 bc that was probably responsible for spreading early Celtic languages to Britain.

Lithium–sulphur batteries may achieve higher energy densities than conventional lithium-ion cells, but the dissolution of sulphur intermediates is a continuing challenge. Here this problem is overcome using a cathode with a mesoporous structure that is able to accommodate intermediate polysulphide anions.

Inbreeding depression has been observed in many different species, but in humans a systematic analysis has been difficult so far. Here, analysing more than 1.3 million individuals, the authors show that a genomic inbreeding coefficient (FROH) is associated with disadvantageous outcomes in 32 out of 100 traits tested.

An expanded GWAS of birth weight and subsequent analysis using structural equation modeling and Mendelian randomization decomposes maternal and fetal genetic contributions and causal links between birth weight, blood pressure and glycemic traits.

Lithium–air batteries offer great promise for high-energy storage capability but also pose tremendous challenges for their realization. This Review surveys recent advances in understanding the fundamental science that governs lithium–air battery operation, focusing on the reactions at the oxygen electrode.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have become a key tool to discover genetic markers for complex traits; however, environmental factors that interact with genes are rarely considered. Here, the authors conduct a GWAS of obesity traits, and find that smoking may alter genetic susceptibilities.

The G-protein-coupled receptor GPR124, acting through the canonical Wnt pathway, is required for the maintenance of blood–brain barrier function in mouse models of stroke and glioblastoma.