A sustainable shift from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is essential to achieve a considerable reduction in emissions. The production of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) used in EVs is an energy-intensive and costly process. It can also lead to significant embedded emissions depending on the source of energy used. In fact, about 39% of the energy consumption in LIB production is associated with drying processes, where the electrode drying step accounts for about a half. Despite the enormous energy consumption and costs originating from drying processes, they are seldomly researched in the battery industry. Establishing knowledge within the LIB industry regarding state-of-the-art drying techniques and solvent evaporation mechanisms is vital for optimising process conditions, detecting alternative solvent systems, and discovering novel techniques. This review aims to give a summary of the state-of-the-art LIB processing techniques. An in-depth understanding of the influential factors for each manufacturing step of LIBs is then established, emphasising the electrode structure and electrochemical performance. Special attention is dedicated to the convection drying step in conventional water and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)-based electrode manufacturing. Solvent omission in dry electrode processing substantially lowers the energy demand and allows for a thick, mechanically stable electrode coating. Small changes in the electrode manufacturing route may have an immense impact on the final battery performance. Electrodes used for research and development often have a different production route and techniques compared to those processed in industry. The scalability issues related to the comparison across scales are discussed and further emphasised when the industry moves towards the next-generation techniques. Finally, the critical aspects of the innovations and industrial modifications that aim to overcome the main challenges are presented.

This study provides an overview of new trends in the development of cooling systems for electric motors. It includes a summary of academic research and patents for cooling systems implemented by leading motor manufacturers at TRL9. New trends in the cooling management of air and liquid cooling systems are discussed and analyzed with a focus on temperature distribution and its influence on the power-to-dimension ratio of electric motors. The prevailing cooling method for synchronous and asynchronous motors is air cooling using external fins, air circulation ducts, air gaps, and fan impellers to enhance efficiency and reliability. Internal cooling with rotor and stator ducts, along with optimized air duct geometry, shows potential to increase the power-to-dimension ratio and reduce motor size. Liquid cooling systems offer a power-to-dimension ratio of up to 25 kW/kg, achieved through redesigned cooling ducts, stator heat exchangers, and cooling tubes. However, liquid cooling systems are complex, requiring maintenance and high ingress protection ratings. They are advantageous for providing high power-to-dimension ratios in vehicles and aircraft. Discussions on using different refrigerants to improve efficient motor cooling are underway, with ozone-friendly natural refrigerants like CO₂ considered to be promising alternatives to low-pressure refrigerants with high global warming potential.

The potential enhancement of the protein content in bakery products is studied by adding fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) flour in varying proportions (1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, and 6%) within the production recipe. The mixtures of wheat flour and FPH obtained were comprehensively analysed using Mixolab equipment, evaluating the nutritional, rheological, and enzymatical aspects. The results underscore the substantial potential of FPH as a high-quality protein source evidenced by its polyphenol content and antioxidant value. Moreover, the utilisation of hydrolysed proteins from fish emerges as a viable strategy for reducing the water footprint in food production. Thus, FPH flour showed a protein content of 80.21%, a polyphenol content of 1452 mg GAE/100 g, and an antioxidant activity of 294 mg TE/100 g. While the bread samples made from wheat flour mixed with FPH exhibited a satisfactory rheological behaviour, the presence of an aftertaste and the pronounced fish aroma impacted consumer acceptance. Notably, only the bread sample with 1.5% added FPH met the organoleptic preferences of the consumers, receiving a commendable total acceptability score of 6.2. Additionally, this sample demonstrated favourable results in texture analysis and exhibited an extended shelf life compared to that of the control sample.

Decarbonization of the industrial sector is one of the most important keys to reducing global warming. Energy demands and associated emissions in the industrial sector are continuously increasing. The utilization of high temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) operating with natural fluids presents an environmentally friendly solution with great potential to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions in industrial processes. Ammonia-water absorption–compression heat pumps (ACHPs) combine the technologies of an absorption and vapor compression heat pump using a zeotropic mixture of ammonia and water as working fluid. The given characteristics, such as the ability to achieve high sink temperatures with comparably large temperature lifts and high coefficient of performance (COP) make the ACHP interesting for utilization in various industrial high temperature applications. This work reviews the state of technology and identifies existing challenges based on conducted experimental investigations. In this context, 23 references with capacities ranging from 1.4 kW to 4500 kW are evaluated, achieving sink outlet temperatures from 45 °C to 115 °C and COPs from 1.4 to 11.3. Existing challenges are identified for the compressor concerning discharge temperature and lubrication, for the absorber and desorber design for operation and liquid–vapor mixing and distribution and the choice of solution pump. Recent developments and promising solutions are then highlighted and presented in a comprehensive overview. Finally, future trends for further studies are discussed. The purpose of this study is to serve as a starting point for further research by connecting theoretical approaches, possible solutions and experimental results as a resource for further developments of ammonia-water ACHP systems at high temperature operation.

The evaporation of N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent during the large-scale production of LiNi${}_x$Mn${}_{1-x-y}$Co${}_y$O${}_2$ (NMC) cathodes usually occurs in convection ovens. This paper aims to close the gap between the industrial convection drying method and the conventional vacuum oven typically used at the laboratory scale. Multiple studies focus on modeling convection dryers to reduce energy consumption, but few have studied their impact on the cathode quality experimentally and compared them to vacuum-dried cathodes. A convection oven designed for LIB electrode drying was developed to investigate the influence of drying kinetics on the formation of small electrode surface cracks (C/2. An alternative surface analysis with less sample preparation was sufficient for determining the relative change in binder migration.

This review presents a critical analysis of Japan’s hydrogen strategy, focusing on the broader context of its decarbonization efforts. Japan aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with intermediate targets including 3 million tons of hydrogen use by 2030 and 20 million tons by 2050. Unlike countries with abundant domestic renewables, Japan’s approach emphasizes hydrogen imports and advanced storage technologies, driven by limited local renewable capacity. This review not only synthesizes policy and project-level developments but also critically evaluates Japan’s hydrogen roadmap by examining its alignment with global trends, technology maturity, and infrastructure scalability. The review integrates recent policy updates, infrastructure developments, and pilot project results, providing insights into value chain modeling, cost reduction strategies, and demand forecasting. Three policy conclusions emerge. First, Japan’s geography justifies an import-reliant pathway, but it heightens exposure to price, standards, and supply-chain risk; diversification across LH₂ and ammonia with robust certification and offtake mechanisms is essential. Second, near-term deployment is most credible in industrial feedstocks (steel, ammonia, methanol) and the maritime sector, while refueling rollout lags materially behind plan and should be recalibrated. Third, cost competitiveness hinges less on electrolyzer CAPEX than on electricity price, liquefaction, transport; policy should prioritize bankable offtake, grid-connected renewables and transmission, and targeted CAPEX support for import terminals, bunkering, and cracking. Japan’s experience offers a pathway in the global hydrogen transition, particularly for countries facing similar geographic and energy limitations. By analyzing both the progress and the limitations of Japan’s hydrogen roadmap, this study contributes to understanding diverse national strategies in the rapidly changing state of implementation of clean energy.