A 3D-printed lithium carbon dioxide battery uses MXene and carbon nanotube nanomaterials to deliver high energy and power with stable performance in Martian conditions for off-planet energy storage.

(Nanowerk Spotlight) Mars presents one of the hardest tests for any power system. Sunlight fades during long nights and dust storms, and temperatures swing from deep cold to daytime heat within hours. Missions need compact energy sources that can store large amounts of energy, release it quickly, and stay reliable through wide temperature changes. Solar panels alone cannot ensure steady power, while nuclear systems add weight and complexity. Batteries sit between them, but ordinary lithium ion cells lose capacity in the cold and struggle to deliver both high energy and high power under Martian conditions.