Solar cells (SCs) are the most ubiquitous and reliable energy generation systems for aerospace applications. Nowadays, III–V multijunction solar cells (MJSCs) represent the standard commercial technology for powering spacecraft, thanks to their high‐power conversion efficiency and certified reliability/stability while operating in orbit. Nevertheless, spacecraft companies are still using cheaper Si‐based SCs to amortize the launching costs of satellites. Moreover, in recent years, new SCs technologies based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for aerospace power systems, because of their appealing properties such as lightweightness, flexibility, cost‐effective manufacturing, and exceptional radiation resistance. In this review the current advancements and future challenges of SCs for aerospace applications are critically discussed. In particular, for each type of SC, a description of the device's architecture, a summary of its performance, and a quantitative assessment of the radiation resistance are presented. Finally, considering the high potential that 2D‐materials (such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, and transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have in improving both performance and stability of SCs, a brief overview of some important results concerning the influence of radiation on both 2D materials‐based devices and monolayer of 2D materials is also included.

Advancements in electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) technology require the concomitant use of novel efficient electrode materials and viable electrode manufacturing methods. Cost-effectiveness, scalability and sustainability are key-drivers for fulfilling product development chain accepted by worldwide legislations. Herein, we report a scalable and sprayable "green " electrode material-based ink based on activated carbon and single-/fewlayer graphene (SLG/FLG) flakes. We show that, contrary to commercial reduced graphene oxide, defect-free and flat SLG/FLG flakes reduce the friction of ions over the electrode films, while spray coating deposition of our ink maximises the electrolyte accessibility to the electrode surface area. Sprayed SLG/FLG flakes-based EDLCs display superior rate capability performance (e.g. , specific energies of 31.5, 23.7 and 12.5 Wh kg − 1 at specific powers of 150, 7500 and 30000 W kg − 1 , respectively) compared to both SLG/FLG flakes-free devices and commercial-like EDLCs produced by slurry-coating method. The use of SLG/FLG flakes enables our sprayed EDLCs to operate in a wide range of temperature (− 40/ + 100°C) compatible with ionic liquid/organic solvent-based electrolytes, overcoming the specific power limits of AC-based EDLCs. A prototype EDLCs stack consisting of multiple large-area EDLCs, each one displaying a capacitance of 25 F, demonstrates the industrial potential of our technology.

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Among the large family of transition metal dichalcogenides, recently ReS2 has stood out due to its nearly layer‐independent optoelectronic and physicochemical properties related to its 1T distorted octahedral structure. This structure leads to strong in‐plane anisotropy, and the presence of active sites at its surface makes ReS2 interesting for gas sensing and catalysts applications. However, current fabrication methods use chemical or physical vapor deposition (CVD or PVD) processes that are costly, time‐consuming and complex, therefore limiting its large‐scale production and exploitation. To address this issue, a colloidal synthesis approach is developed, which allows the production of ReS2 at temperatures below 360 °C and with reaction times shorter than 2h. By combining the solution‐based synthesis with surface functionalization strategies, the feasibility of colloidal ReS2 nanosheet films for sensing different gases is demonstrated with highly competitive performance in comparison with devices built with CVD‐grown ReS2 and MoS2. In addition, the integration of the ReS2 nanosheet films in assemblies together with carbon nanotubes allows to fabricate electrodes for electrocatalysis for H2 production in both acid and alkaline conditions. Results from proof‐of‐principle devices show an electrocatalytic overpotential competitive with devices based on ReS2 produced by CVD, and even with MoS2, WS2, and MoSe2 electrocatalysts.

Perovskites have emerged as promising light harvesters in photovoltaics. The resulting solar cells (i) are thin and lightweight, (ii) can be produced through solution processes, (iii) mainly use low-cost raw materials, and (iv) can be flexible. These features make perovskite solar cells intriguing as space technologies; however, the extra-terrestrial environment can easily cause the premature failure of devices. In particular, the presence of high-energy radiation is the most dangerous factor that can damage space technologies. This Review discusses the status and perspectives of perovskite photovoltaics in space applications. The main factors used to describe the space environment are introduced, and the results concerning the radiation hardness of perovskites toward protons, electrons, neutrons, and γ-rays are presented. Emphasis is given to the physicochemical processes underlying radiation damage in such materials. Finally, the potential use of perovskite solar cells in extra-terrestrial conditions is discussed by considering the effects of the space environment on the choice of the architecture and components of the devices.

We demonstrate how single-/few-layer graphene flakes act as friction-free “ion slides” for supercapacitor electrolytes, boosting the electrochemical performance of commercial-like supercapacitors.

Solar-to-fuel direct conversion devices are a key component to realize a full transition to a renewable-energy based chemistry and energy, but their limits and possibilities are still under large debate....