Solar energy is a top renewable resource with vast potential for scalable solutions and global implementation, making it a cornerstone of future energy strategies. Black silicon (b-Si) features beneficial micro- and nanoscale structures that greatly improve light absorption, positioning it as an outstanding candidate for advanced solar energy technologies and innovative photonic devices.

The cover of Advanced Photonics Volume 7 Issue 3 features a schematic that illustrates solar energy conversion using b-Si for solar cells, photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation, and solar desalination—highlighting the multifaceted applications of b-Si in addressing global energy and water challenges.

The image is based on the review article by Huaping Jia, Fengjia Xie, Elyes Nefzaoui, Tarik Bourouina, Heng Jiang, and Xuming Zhang, “Black silicon nanostructures for solar energy conversion and photonic applications: a review,” Adv. Photon.7(3), 034004 (2025), doi: 10.1117/1.AP.7.3.034004