Stationary energy storage methods such as flow batteries are one of the best options to integrate with smart power grids. Though electrochemical energy storage using flow battery technologies has been successfully demonstrated since the 1970s, the introduction of ionic liquids into the field of energy storage introduces new dimensions in this field. This reliable energy storage technology can provide significantly more flexibility when incorporated with the synergic effects of ionic liquids. This mini-review enumerates the present trends in redox flow battery designs and the use of ionic liquids as electrolytes, membranes, redox couples, etc. explored in these designs. This review specifically intends to provide an overview of the research prospects of ionic liquids for redox flow batteries (RFB).

Two types of graphite/diamond (GD) particles with different ash content was applied to prepare new electroconductive polylactide (PLA)-based nanocomposites. Four samples of nanocomposites for each type of GD particles with mass fraction 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 were prepared via an easily scalable method—melt blending. The samples were subjected to the studies of electrical properties via broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The results indicated up to eight orders of magnitude improvement in the electrical conductivity and electrical permittivity of the most loaded nanocomposites, in reference to the neat PLA. Additionally, the influence of ash content on the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites revealed that technologically less-demanding fillers, i.e., of higher ash content, were the most beneficial in the light of nanofiller dispersibility and the final properties.

Composites are essential materials in a wide range of industrial and medical applications due to their unique functional properties. One of the main issues of composites arises at their end-of-life stage, especially in terms of the recyclability process and its quantitative evaluation. In this study, we present a quantitative methodology for assessing the quality of composite recycling, using a paraffin-based microcomposite with the addition of tungsten particles (at one concentration 50 wt.%) as an example. Our approach combines visible-light microscopy with digital image processing techniques to obtain quantitative metrics related to recycling efficiency. The tools utilized—recognized as relatively common and uncomplicated for use in various scientific fields—have shown that the value of average particle density significantly decreased from a primary value of 43.30% to 8.30%. Consequently, the presented results confirm the usefulness of the method for the quantitative assessment of the quality of the recycling process.

Shielding nanocomposites against gamma-rays are increasingly recognized as an advantageous alternative over conventional lead-based covers. In particular, constantly evolving nanocomposites are geared toward improving features such as flexibility and low toxicity. Taking this into consideration, this study introduces composites that offer versatile options in shape definition outside laboratory conditions. The proposed covers contain paraffin as the main compound, where the fillers are iron nanopowders with hydrophobic and hydrophilic carbon shells, at 10 wt.%. The composite preparation process relies on safe, commercially purchased compounds and utilizes user-friendly equipment. This experimental study includes the determination of the shielding properties of the manufactured composites against gamma radiation from ⁶⁰Co along with their thermal properties, specifically the heat capacity. The achieved results show that incorporating core–shell particles improves the shielding properties, with half-value layers of ca. 15 cm and ca. 14 cm for the pure matrix and composites, respectively. Regarding the differential scanning calorimetry measurements, this study reveals that the composites possess relatively low phase transition temperature values.