Happy New Year! I realize it might be a tad late to wish, but the year doesn’t truly seem to commence until our latest list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies is unveiled.
For a quarter-century, MIT Technology Review has compiled this selection, showcasing the innovations we believe will have significance in the times ahead. This year’s iteration features standout technologies, including gene resurrection (recall all the excitement surrounding the dire wolf last year?) and commercial space stations.
Furthermore, the realms of climate and energy are included with sodium-ion batteries, next-gen nuclear, and hyperscale AI data centers. Let’s explore what made it onto the list and what it signifies for the current state of climate tech.
Sodium-ion batteries
I have been following sodium-ion batteries for several years, but this moment feels like a pivotal one for the technology.
Currently, lithium-ion cells power everything from EVs, smartphones, and computers to large stationary storage systems that help stabilize the grid. Yet, researchers and battery manufacturers have been racing to find an alternative, motivated by the limited availability of lithium and its fluctuating market price in recent years.
Sodium-ion batteries could serve as that substitute. Sodium is significantly more plentiful than lithium, which may lead to cheaper batteries with a lower risk of fire.
There are some drawbacks: Sodium-ion batteries won’t store as much energy as their lithium counterparts. However, this might not be an issue, particularly for grid storage and smaller electric vehicles.
In recent times, there has been considerable interest in sodium-based batteries, especially from major Chinese companies. Now this emerging technology is beginning to roll out—CATL claims it commenced large-scale production of these batteries in 2025.
Next-generation nuclear
Nuclear reactors play a crucial role in power grids globally—large, reliable reactors supply consistent electricity. However, countries with older and more established fleets have had difficulty expanding these facilities in recent years, as reactors are enormous and can require billions in investment. Recent high-profile initiatives have far exceeded budgets and encountered significant delays.
Next-generation reactor designs may assist the industry in moving beyond the traditional model and bringing more nuclear power online more rapidly, as they get closer to realization.
There’s a wide array of proposals regarding the future of nuclear. Certain companies are constructing smaller reactors, which they argue could simplify financing new projects and ensure timely completion.
Other companies are concentrating on modifying key technical components of reactors, utilizing alternative fuels or coolants that aid in transferring heat away from the reactor core. These advancements could enhance the efficiency and safety of electricity generation from reactors.
Kairos Power became the first US company to attain approval to commence construction on a next-gen reactor designed to generate electricity. China is emerging as a prominent hub for nuclear development, with its national nuclear corporation reportedly developing several next-gen reactors.
Hyperscale data centers
This aspect might not be precisely labeled as a climate technology, but I dedicated a substantial portion of last year investigating the climate and environmental ramifications of AI, and the AI surge is closely linked with climate and energy.
Data centers may not be a new concept, but we are witnessing a surge of larger facilities being proposed and constructed to accommodate the growth of AI. Some of these facilities require a gigawatt or more of power—that’s equivalent to the output of an entire traditional nuclear power station, solely for one data center.
(This seems like a fitting moment to note that our Breakthrough Technologies list does not exclusively spotlight technology we anticipate will have a straightforwardly beneficial impact on the globe. I recall our 2023 list, which included mass-market military drones.)
There’s no doubt that the emergence of new, oversized data centers is a significant force behind increasing electricity demand, provoking considerable public resistance, and becoming a critical aspect of our new global infrastructure.
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