On September 19, 2025, CATL’s innovation branch, 21C Lab, announced a collaboration with Springer Nature to launch a new international journal titled Watt. This journal is dedicated to research in energy and carbon neutrality, with its inaugural issue scheduled for release in February 2026. The aim is to facilitate the transition to sustainable energy by promoting innovative scientific research that emphasizes scalability and real-world applicability.
Connecting Science and Industry
Watt intends to serve as a vital link between academia and the energy industry, focusing on transformative research that includes energy storage, conversion technologies, grid optimization, carbon capture, and policy analysis. This commitment distinguishes the journal as a premier platform for publishing cutting-edge research that meets the growing demand for practical solutions in the field of energy.
The editorial board of Watt consists of leading figures in energy research, ensuring that the journal adheres to the highest academic standards. Notable members include Dr. Rose Zhu, In-House Editor-in-Chief; Professor Sir Peter Bruce from the University of Oxford; Huisheng Peng, Academician at Fudan University; Stefano Passerini from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology; and Dr. Kai Wu, Chief Scientist of CATL.
Innovative Framework for Excellence
The editorial standards of Watt are built upon an innovative framework known as the “Five Highs,” which focuses on:
- High Quality: A rigorous peer review process that combines in-house editorial expertise with insights from top scholars.
- High Reproducibility: Independent verification of key experiments to ensure reliable results.
- High Practicality: Incubation support for research with real-world potential, bridging the gap between discovery and deployment.
- High Visibility: An open-access model that maximizes global reach and influence.
- High Diversity: Embracing diverse disciplines and perspectives to create an inclusive platform.
Submissions are now open via the journal’s official website, inviting researchers worldwide to contribute their groundbreaking work. The journal also seeks reviewers to help uphold its rigorous academic standards and encourages industry professionals to endorse Watt within their networks.
With the launch of Watt, CATL and Springer Nature aspire to redefine the role of scientific journals. The objective is to act as a conduit between pioneering research and scalable technology, ultimately fostering innovation essential for achieving a sustainable, net-zero future. Beyond merely publishing research, Watt aims to create a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange that will propel the global energy transition forward.
