Anion exchange membrane (AEM) technologies are emerging as a promising route for advancing the hydrogen economy by enabling the use of non-precious materials and reducing environmental impact. Unlike proton exchange membrane (PEM) systems, which rely on scarce platinum group metals (PGMs) and PFAS-based membranes, alkaline systems permit the use of sustainable, PFAS-free materials. This shift supports more resilient supply chains and lowers capital expenditures (CAPEX).

Lithium–sulfur (Li/S) batteries are one of the most promising alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries, as they offer a significantly higher theoretical energy density due to the high specific capacity of sulfur, along with advantages in terms of cost and abundance of raw materials.

Icephobic surfaces are of significant interest for the aeronautics, renewable energy, and refrigeration industries. These surfaces enhance the efficiency of such systems and ensure greater safety—one needs only to consider aircraft, which must operate reliably even under the most extreme weather conditions. Until now, the technology behind these surfaces has relied on coatings that can be fragile and prone to degradation over time.

Until now, it was believed that cysteine, one of the basic amino acids in proteins, bonded to surfaces mainly through its carboxylic group. A team at DESY NanoLab (Germany), led by Heshmat Noei in collaboration with Cristiana Di Valentin’s group (University of Milano-Bicocca), has now discovered that the molecule actually uses all three of its “chemical arms” − amine, carboxylic, and thiol − to adhere to oxide surfaces, particularly titanium dioxide (TiO2).

The lithium batteries we use today—so-called third-generation batteries—still rely on graphite-based anodes. While effective, graphite limits how quickly batteries can be recharged, posing one of the main obstacles to the wider adoption of electric vehicles. High charging currents can indeed cause lithium metal to deposit on the anode surface, reducing battery life and potentially creating safety risks. Finding alternative materials that can match graphite’s performance but allow for safer, faster charging is therefore a key challenge in battery research.