UEXdo/OpenDataHub huggingface dataset:
Equity and reliability of public electric vehicle charging stations in the United States
Authors: Yu, Q.; Que, T.; Cushing, L.; Pierce, G.; Shen, K.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
          Equitable coverage and reliable operation of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) are crucial for a just transition to a carbon-free future. Yet, a comprehensive national analysis of public EVCSs across different communities is lacking in the United States. Here, we utilize real-world reviews (n = 470,142) from a user-generated content platform to analyze public EVCSs at the census tract level. We find that disadvantaged communities (DACs) have 64% fewer public EVCSs per
Finding gaps in the national electric vehicle charging station coverage of the United States
Authors: Hanig, L.; Ledna, C.; Nock, D.; Harper, C.; Yip, A.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
          The United States federal government has invested $7.5 billion into charging infrastructure, including the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, to build fast charging stations along designated highways for long-distance car travel. We develop a consecutive coverage metric to compute the percent of United States roads (traffic-weighted) that are consecutively accessible within 500 miles of each county. We answer (1) what the state of consecutive coverage is in each
Atmospheric wind energization of ocean weather
Authors: Rai, S.; Farrar, J.; Aluie, H.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
                  
                    Ocean weather comprises vortical and straining mesoscale motions, which play fundamentally different roles in the ocean circulation and climate system. Vorticity determines the movement of major ocean currents and gyres. Strain contributes to frontogenesis and the deformation of water masses, driving much of the mixing and vertical transport in the upper ocean. While recent studies have shown that interactions with the atmosphere damp the ocean’s m
Trends in vertical wind velocity variability reveal cloud microphysical feedback
Authors: Barahona, D.; Breen, K.; Ngo, D.; Maciel, F.; Patnaude, R.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
                  
                    By controlling supersaturation vertical air motion influences how aerosols activate into cloud droplets and ice crystals. This effect is difficult to represent accurately in atmospheric models as they cannot typically resolve the sub-kilometer scale component of wind motion, however it can be addressed by machine learning. Here we apply a generative technique combining storm-resolving simulations, observational and climate reanalysis data, to predi
Bioinspired nondissipative mechanical energy storage and release in hydrogels via hierarchical sequentially swollen stretched chains
Authors: Savolainen, H.; Hosseiniyan, N.; Piedrahita-Bello, M.; Ikkala, O.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
                  Nature suggests concepts for materials with efficient mechanical energy storage and release, i.e., resilience, involving small energy dissipation upon mechanical loading and unloading, such as in resilin and elastin. These materials facilitate burst-like movements involving high stiffness and low strain and high reversibility. Synthetic hydrogels that allow highly reversible mechanical energy storage have remained a challenge, despite mimicking biological soft tissues.
Design of hierarchical-heterostructure antiferroelectrics for ultrahigh capacitive energy storage
Authors: Chen, L.; Hu, T.; Qi, H.; Yu, H.; Fu, Z.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
                  
                    Electrostatic dielectric capacitors with high power density are the fundamental energy storage components in advanced electronic and electric power systems. However, simultaneously achieving ultrahigh energy density and efficiency poses a persistent challenge, preventing the capacitive applications towards miniaturization and low-energy consumption. Here we demonstrate giant energy storage properties in lead-free antiferroelectrics by designing hie
Machine learning assisted composition design of high-entropy Pb-free relaxors with giant energy-storage
Authors: Wang, X.; Zhang, J.; Ma, X.; Luo, H.; Liu, L.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
          The high-entropy strategy has emerged as a prevalent approach to boost capacitive energy-storage performance of relaxors for advanced electrical and electronic systems. However, exploring high-performance high-entropy systems poses challenges due to the extensive compositional space. Herein, with the assistance of machine learning screening, we demonstrated a high energy-storage density of 20.7 J cm-3 with a high efficiency of 86% in a high-entropy Pb-free relaxor ceramic. A r
Pyrogenic carbon contribution to tropical savanna soil carbon storage
Authors: Zhou, Y.; Karp, A.; Schmidt, A.; Coetsee, C.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
                  
                    Savannas are fire-prone ecosystems that contribute substantially to global fire emissions, but these emissions may be partly offset by deposition of fire-derived, persistent pyrogenic carbon (PyC) in soils. Although estimates of PyC contributions to soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in savanna exist, factors driving its accumulation remain unclear due to limited measurements with consistent methods. To address this, we sampled 253 sites across trop
Unlocking global carbon reduction potential by embracing low-carbon lifestyles
Authors: Guan, Y.; Shan, Y.; Hang, Y.; Nie, Q.; Liu, Y.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
          Low-carbon lifestyles provide demand-side solutions to meet global climate targets, yet the global carbon-saving potential of consumer-led abatement actions remains insufficiently researched. Here, we quantify the greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential of 21 low-carbon expenditures using a global multi-regional input-output model linked with detailed household expenditure data. Targeting households exceeding the global per-capita average required to stay below 2 degrees,
Temperate forests can deliver future wood demand and climate-change mitigation dependent on afforestation and circularity
Authors: Forster, E.; Styles, D.; Healey, J.
Journal: Nature Communications (2025)

Abstract
                  
                    Global wood demand is expected to rise but supply capacity is questioned due to limited forest resources. Additionally, the global warming potential (GWP) impact of increased wood supply and use is not well understood. We propose a framework combining forest carbon modelling and dynamic consequential life-cycle assessment to evaluate this impact. Applying it to generic temperate forest, we show that afforestation to double productive forest area co
Temporary carbon dioxide removals to offset methane emissions
Authors: Venmans, F.; Rickels, W.; Groom, B.
Journal: Nature Climate Change (2025)

Abstract
                  
                    Unlike CO
                    2
                    , methane emissions have a particularly large short-term effect on temperature. We argue that these largely temporary temperature effects of methane emissions are apt to be offset by temporary CO
                    2
                    removal. Temporally matching offsetting temperature reductions to the temperature impulse of methane eliminates the sizable intertemporal welfare transfers that o
Surfing vortex rings for energy-efficient propulsion
Authors: Gunnarson, P.; Dabiri, J.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               Leveraging background fluid flows for propulsion has the potential to enhance the range and speed of autonomous aerial and underwater vehicles. In this work, we demonstrate experimentally a fully autonomous strategy for exploiting vortex rings for energy-efficient propulsion. First, an underwater robot used an onboard inertial measurement unit (IMU) to sense the motion induced by the passage of a vortex ring generated by a thruster in a 13,000-L water tank. In response to
Flexoelectricity and the fluctuations of (active) living cells: Implications for energy harvesting, ion transport, and neuronal activity
Authors: Khandagale, P.; Liu, L.; Sharma, P.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
                  Biological membranes universally exhibit flexoelectricity, a form of electromechanical coupling in which membrane curvature induces electric polarization. This phenomenon enables the conversion of mechanical deformations into electrical signals and plays a central role in sensory processes such as hearing. Flexoelectricity can also ostensibly provide a facile route for energy harvesting via membrane flexure, and, in principle, enable useful work (e.g. as an ionic pump)
Influence of climate change and accidents on perception differs among energy technologies
Authors: L’Her, G.; Duncan, N.; Jenkins-Smith, H.; Deinert, M.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               Risk perceptions of energy systems, and their evolution under climate change and after accidents, affect public acceptance of generation technologies. Despite this, little is understood about how such factors impact public perception at different timescales and the drivers for perception. We use state-of-the-art natural language processing to measure temporal changes in sentiment toward energy technologies using the full Twitter archive for 2009–2022. We find that percept
Single-fibril Förster resonance energy transfer imaging and deep learning reveal concentration dependence of amyloid β 42 aggregation pathways
Authors: Sohail, S.; Yoo, J.; Chung, H.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
                  Amyloid fibril formation is a highly heterogeneous process as evidenced by polymorphism in fibril structure. It has been suggested that different polymorphs are associated with different diseases or disease subtypes. Detailed characterization of this heterogeneity is a key to understanding the aggregation mechanism and, possibly, the disease mechanism. In this work, we develop Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging of amyloid fibril formation in real time and
Spatiotemporal predictions of toxic urban plumes using deep learning
Authors: Wang, Y.; Fernández-Godino, M.; Gunawardena, N.; Lucas, D.; Yue, X.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               Industrial accidents, chemical spills, and structural fires can release large amounts of harmful materials that disperse into urban atmospheres and impact populated areas. Computer models are typically used to predict the transport of toxic plumes by solving fluid dynamical equations. However, these models can be computationally expensive due to the need for many grid cells to simulate turbulent flow and resolve individual buildings and streets. In emergency response situ
Global consistency of urban scaling evidenced by remote sensing
Authors: Xu, Z.; Xu, G.; Lan, T.; Li, X.; Chen, Z.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               The urban scaling theory (UST) strives for a universal taxonomy that depicts relationships among urban indicators (e.g. energy consumption, economic output) with city size. However, the lack of international agreement on city definitions and statistics complicates cross-country comparisons of urban scaling performance. Remote sensing provides a uniform standard for measuring cities around the world. To scrutinize the consistency of UST, we quantified changes in remotely s
Embracing imperfection: Carbon offset markets must learn to mitigate the risk of overcrediting
Authors: Cabiyo, B.; Field, C.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               The role of carbon offset markets in accelerating climate action has been widely anticipated. Recently, fundamental questions have emerged about the role of carbon credits in the wake of widespread quality critiques of existing carbon offset projects. In tandem, many large corporate buyers are slowing their voluntary investments in carbon credits or shifting to less public vehicles for those investments. The discourse to date has focused on raising the quality bar of carb
Versatile phenolic composites by in situ polymerization of concentrated dispersions of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Yu, Z.; Zhang, C.; Chen, M.; Huang, J.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               Uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix is a prerequisite for high-performance nanotube-based composites. Here, we report an in situ polymerization route to synthesize a range of phenolic composites with high loading of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs, &amp;gt;40 wt%) and continuously tunable viscoelasticity. SWCNTs can be directly and uniformly dispersed in cresols through noncovalent charge-transfer interactions without the need for surfactants,
Direct observation of carbon dioxide adsorption and binding at the air/aqueous interface
Authors: Rashwan, M.; Mao, Z.; Hirschi, J.; Zuehlsdorff, T.; Nyman, M.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) involves reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations. Developing new technologies and enhancing existing ones for extracting and converting CO₂ are ongoing areas of research. In all these technologies, the movement of CO2 molecules through an interface is a common process. At liquid surfaces, the nanometer-thick interfacial region is expected to play a fundamental role in enhancing or hindering the process. The interface can have significantl
Air-conditioning replacement to enhance the reliability of renewable power systems under extreme weather risks
Authors: Zhu, L.; Liang, Z.; Yan, Z.; Ming, X.; Duan, H.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               The increasing demand for residential heating and cooling significantly affects power systems, especially during extreme weather events. The replacement of outdated room air-conditioning (RAC) with a high-efficiency model demonstrated considerable potential in alleviating this effect. In this study, the impacts of extreme warm, cold, and drought events on power demand and supply are explored. By simulating residential heating and cooling loads in southern Chinese cities a
Electric field-coupled two-photon polymerization system for on-demand modulation of 3D-printed structural color
Authors: Feng, W.; Sheng, S.; He, J.; Wang, X.; Zhu, J.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               Advanced manufacturing has been extensively studied using various resin monomers and customized apparatus. Multimaterial microfabrication tools remain limited due to the size constraints inherent in extrusion-based fabrication methods. In addition, prior research predominantly employs monomers as “inert” resins, with minimal emphasis on altering their properties during fabrication. In this study, we propose a novel approach to field-coupled advanced manufacturing, wherein
Climate action literacy interventions increase commitments to more effective mitigation behaviors
Authors: Goldwert, D.; Patel, Y.; Nielsen, K.; Goldberg, M.; Vlasceanu, M.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               Reducing lifestyle carbon emissions is a critical component of decarbonizing society. However, people hold substantial misperceptions about the relative efficacy of different behavioral changes, such as comprehensively recycling or avoiding long flights, and these misperceptions may lead to the suboptimal allocation of resources. In a preregistered experiment in the United States, we tested the effects of two literacy interventions on correcting misperceptions and increas
The equity implications of pecuniary externalities on an electric grid
Authors: Sims, C.; Ali, G.; Holladay, J.; Roberson, T.; Chen, C.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
                  The adoption of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems can create upward pressure on retail electricity rates as utilities are forced to spread their fixed costs of generation and transmission across a smaller customer base. Since high-income households are more likely to purchase PV systems, low-income households may be disproportionately impacted by these rate increases. Using a novel combination of agent-based computational economic modeling and a choice experiment of ro
Multicriteria models provide enhanced insight for siting US offshore wind
Authors: Santarromana, R.; Abdulla, A.; Morgan, M.; Mendonça, J.
Journal: npj Clean Energy (2025)

Abstract
               Offshore wind can be a key contributor to energy system decarbonization, but its deployment in certain regions has been slow, partly due to opposition from disparate interests. Failure to sufficiently address the concerns of external stakeholders could continue to hamper deployment. Here, we use a multi criteria model to assess all possible sites in a 2 km × 2 km grid of all potential locations in continental US federal waters, contrasting the perspectives of developers a
Impact of mixed-height vegetation patches on energy loss in open-channel flow
Authors: Yang, Z.; Tang, X.; Li, F.; Liu, J.; Wang, H.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
          This study investigates the influence of riparian vegetation on energy losses in open-channel flow, focusing on channels partially covered by mixed-height vegetation patches, a common feature in natural rivers and canals. While previous research has primarily focused on flow resistance in fully vegetated channels, there has been limited attention to channels with unevenly distributed vegetation patches. To address this gap, we developed an innovative experimental approach to e
Integrating energy justice and economic realities through insights on energy expenditures, inequality, and renewable energy attitudes
Authors: Volodzkiene, L.; Streimikiene, D.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
                  Energy justice is a cornerstone of the European Union’s pursuit of climate neutrality by 2050, addressing both environmental and societal challenges. This research employs a representative survey to analyze household expenditures on electricity, natural gas, and heating, evaluating the extent of energy inequality and its implications for affordability and access across income groups. The study also explores public attitudes toward renewable energy, focusing on perceive
Quadrant swapping technique for partial shaded solar photovoltaic system
Authors: Thangaraj, H.; Chokkalingam, B.; Aruchamy, S.; David, P.; Padmanaban, S.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
          Solar energy is one among the most essential renewable sources, and its use is vital to the long-term progress in environmental and energy development. Partial shadowing issues are frequently encountered for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and they always influence the PV array’s output power production. There are numerous methods used to reconfigure the PV arrays to extract the possible maximum power. However, those methods have sub-optimal performance in addressing certain
Smart building energy management with renewables and storage systems using a modified weighted mean of vectors algorithm
Authors: Ebeed, M.; hassan, S.; Kamel, S.; Nasrat, L.; Mohamed, A.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
          With the advancement of automation technologies in household appliances, the flexibility of smart home energy management (EM) systems has increased. However, this progress has brought about a new challenge for smart homes: the EM has become more complex with the integration of multiple conventional, renewable, and energy storage systems. To address this challenge, a novel modified Weighted Mean of Vectors algorithm (MINFO) is proposed. This algorithm aims to enhance the perfor
Exploring the applicability of “One-Size-Fits-All” road transport decarbonization strategies: a participatory energy systems modeling comparison of urban and non-urban municipalities
Authors: de Oliveira Laurin, M.; Aryanpur, V.; Farabi-Asl, H.; Grahn, M.; Taljegard, M.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
          Despite the key role that local authorities play in shaping energy policies and implementing action plans, their level of involvement has been insufficiently examined. This study aims to assess how different socio-geographical factors impact the adoption of fossil-free vehicle technologies and fuels for private cars, buses, and trucks. Using a participatory energy systems modeling approach, this study explores the cost-optimal decarbonization of road transport in four urban an
The impact of China pilot carbon market policy on electricity carbon emissions
Authors: Zhang, Z.; Xiao, Y.; Zhang, K.; Tang, M.; Ma, T.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
          The electric power industry is the pillar of the national economy but also the largest carbon emission sector in China, facing great pressure to reduce emissions. Existing research often lacks the analysis of the carbon market on electricity carbon emission reduction. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces (cities) in China from 2003 to 2020, we combine the multi-period difference-in-differences model with the spatial Durbin model to explore the effectiveness of the pilot car
Impact of government’s dual-carbon attention on urban carbon emissions reduction: evidence from the Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Chang, K.; Li, J.; Wei, S.; Li, B.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
                  
                    There is an ever-increasing concern among local governments in China regarding the relationship between government attention and carbon emissions. This study proposes a new dual-carbon attention dictionary and measures local governments’ dual-carbon attention (GCA) level using textual analysis and the maximum reverse matching method. Our research highlights that an extended STIRPAT model exhibits the significance of local governments’ efforts in ac
Research on the impact of the digital economy on carbon emissions based on the dual perspectives of carbon emission reduction and carbon efficiency
Authors: Liu, X.; Chen, L.; Lu, Y.; Chang, M.; Xiao, Y.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
          China’s digital economy is currently thriving, with the “dual carbon” targets representing a significant pursuit of economic development. The role of the digital economy in achieving these targets warrants detailed discussion. Using urban panel data from China spanning 2011 to 2021, this paper empirically examines the impact of the digital economy on urban carbon emissions. The findings reveal several key points: Firstly, the digital economy significantly reduces urban carbon
Individual perceptions of renewable energy investment in Somali firms
Authors: Nor, B.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
          Somalia’s energy sector is seen as potential for development and investment. financing this sector is crucial for development and economic growth. Small and medium-sized private-sector enterprises are the primary electricity generators and distributors, operating diesel-powered systems via off-grid networks This study investigates the factors influencing investment intentions in renewable energy in Somalia. This study utilized a quantitative research approach employing a descr
Optimal energy management of multi-carrier energy system considering uncertainty in renewable generation
Authors: Garg, A.; Niazi, K.; Tiwari, S.; Sharma, S.; Rawat, T.
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)

Abstract
          This paper presents a structured approach for the efficient operation of multi-carrier energy systems under the uncertainty of renewable energy sources. As the penetration of wind and solar energy increases, managing the resulting variability becomes critical to maintaining both economic efficiency and operational flexibility. To address this, a two-stage multi objective optimization framework is proposed. In the first stage, the objective is to minimize daily operational cost