The production of activated carbon (AC) from lignocellulosic biomass through chemical activation is gaining global attention due to its scalability, economic viability, and environmental advantages. Chemical activation offers several benefits, including energy efficiency, reduced carbonization time, and lower temperature requirements. In this study, potassium hydroxide (KOH) was employed for chemical activation, resulting in activated carbon with a high specific surface area of ~3050 m²/g. The structural analysis revealed the presence of graphitized carbon in the activated carbon matrix, accounting for over 15%. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique was employed to investigate the activated carbon derived from rice husk (RH). The potential applications of activated carbon obtained from rice husks through chemical activation were explored, including its use for heavy metal removal, elimination of organic pollutants, and as an active material in hybrid energy storage devices. Furthermore, a scaling methodology for the production of activated carbon was proposed, facilitating its industrial implementation.

Neutron radiography and tomography is a non-destructive method that provides detailed information about the internal structure of cultural heritage objects. The differences in the neutron attenuation coefficients of constituent elements of the studied objects, as well as the application of modern mathematical algorithms to carry out three-dimensional imaging data analysis, allow one to obtain unique information about the spatial distribution of different phases, the presence of internal defects, or the degree of structural degradation inside valuable cultural objects. The results of the neutron studies of several archaeological objects related to different epochs of the Russian history are reported in order to demonstrate the opportunities provided by the neutron tomography method. The obtained 3D structural volume data, as well as the results of the corresponding data analysis, are presented.

The internal structure of copper coins—a Golden Horde pulo of the 14th century AD and an ancient coin found in Phanagoria at sites of the 5–4th centuries BC—are studied by neutron tomography method. From a set of angular projections of neutron absorption, three-dimensional models of the analyzed objects are reconstructed and the analysis of their physical state is performed. In the copper pulo, a region characterized by a greater neutron beam attenuation coefficient is found. It is assumed that this region was formed due to the gradual penetration of patina into the coin. The neutron tomography data also make it possible to analyze the remnants of an antique coin found in underwater archeological studies. Areas of surface damage and cracks in the antique coin are shown, visually separated from the corrosion layer.