Energy storage technologies have become increasingly essential in addressing the global transition toward renewable energy systems. The rapid global shift toward renewable energy has made efficient and reliable energy storage technologies (ESTs) essential for addressing the intermittency of solar, wind, and other clean energy sources. Recent research highlights significant advancements in battery chemistries, supercapacitors, hydrogen storage, and thermal energy systems; however, persistent challenges such as high manufacturing costs, limited cycle life, low energy density, and environmental impacts continue to hinder large-scale implementation. Despite the growing number of studies, there is a lack of integrated knowledge that systematically maps recent trends, material innovations, and application specific challenges. This review aims to bridge that gap by comprehensively analyzing advancements in energy storage technologies over the past decade, evaluating key performance indicators such as energy and power density, efficiency, and lifecycle sustainability. By synthesizing findings from peer-reviewed literatures this study identifies critical barriers and emerging strategies such as nanostructured materials, hybrid systems, and circular economy approaches that could redefine future energy storage landscapes. The conclusions underscore the urgent need for interdisciplinary research, material optimization, and cost-effective designs to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation storage technologies.

In construction engineering, there is currently a strong emphasis on finding construction materials, mainly the binder which plays a crucial role, that meet multiple criteria, including sustainability, cost-effectiveness, durability, and reduced environmental impact. However, there is a growing interest in exploring alternatives to traditional binders to address the limitations associated with their production and use. One such alternative is the use of naturally occurring materials like clay. Clay deposits are abundant and widely available, making them a sustainable resource for construction applications. Moreover, clay contains significant amounts of silica and alumina, which are key components for inducing pozzolanic reactions that contribute to the strength and durability of concrete. In recent studies, nanoclays (NCs) have emerged as a promising addition to construction materials as supplementary cementitious materials. These nanoparticles possess unique properties that can enhance the performance of concrete. Nanoclays significantly improve the compressive strength, sustainability, and durability of concrete structures. The high surface area and reactivity of nanoclays facilitate better bonding between cement particles, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties. This chapter aims to discuss the state of the art on performance enhancements of building materials that employ different types of nanoclays in place of conventional binders and the future trends.

The increasing demand for energy, reliance on fossil fuels, heightened environmental concerns, and the political commitments established in the Paris Climate Agreement drive the pursuit of new energy sources that are more sustainable and compatible with environmental protection. Biomass has emerged as a primary renewable energy resource, offering significant advantages in terms of its diversity, availability, and sustainability for meeting energy needs in heating, electricity generation, and biofuel production for transportation, among other applications. Various strategies have been explored for effectively utilizing biomass, ranging from biological to thermochemical conversion methods. Gasification is a thermochemical process recognized as one of the most effective methods for energy recovery from biomass, producing syngas primarily composed of hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH₄). Currently, various parameters influencing the yield of product gas and the performance of the gasifier have garnered significant attention from researchers. This paper aims to review the theory and process of biomass gasification, including the different types of gasifiers. It compiles key operational and performance parameters of the gasification process, as well as their influence on gasification conditions and products. This approach seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of hydrogen-rich syngas production based on current technologies and industrial/commercialization pathways.

Polymer composites have become indispensable materials for advanced engineering applications due to their lightweight nature, tunable properties, and versatile processing capabilities. The incorporation of fillers particularly ceramic, carbon-based (including graphene and carbon nanotubes), and nanoclay fillers has emerged as an effective strategy to overcome the inherent limitations of polymer matrices and achieve multifunctional performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of these fillers in polymer composites, emphasizing dispersion behavior, interfacial interactions, and structure-property relationships. The effects of filler type, morphology, size, loading level, and hybridization on mechanical, thermal, thermo-chemical, and electro-mechanical properties are systematically discussed. Special attention is given to nanofiller distribution states agglomerated, intercalated, and exfoliated and their influence on load transfer, crack deflection, barrier performance, and functional enhancement. Processing routes & dispersion-control strategies, including melt blending, solution processing, in situ polymerization, and surface functionalization, are critically examined. The review further highlights synergistic effects of hybrid filler systems and current challenges related to dispersion, scalability, and cost. Future directions in sustainable, hybrid, and bio-based filler designs are also briefly discussed to guide the development of high-performance polymer composites.