This article emphasizes the significance of understanding the actual thermal properties of thermal insulation materials, which are crucial for avoiding errors in building design and estimating heat losses within the energy balance. The aim of this study was to analyse the thermal parameters of selected thermal insulation materials, particularly in the context of their stability after a period of storage under specific conditions. The materials chosen for this study include commonly used construction insulations such as polystyrene and mineral wool, as well as modern options like rigid foam composites. Experimental studies were conducted, including the determination of the thermal conductivity coefficient λ, as well as numerical analyses and analytical calculations of heat flow through a double-layer external wall with a window. The numerical analyses were performed using the TRISCO software version 12.0w, based on the finite element method (FEM). A macrostructural analysis of the investigated materials was also performed. The findings indicated that improper storage conditions adversely affect the thermal properties of insulation materials. Specifically, storing materials outdoors led to a deterioration in insulating properties, with an average reduction of about 4% for the standard materials and as much as 19% for the tested composite material. Insufficient understanding of the true thermal properties of insulation materials can result in incorrect insulation layer thickness, degrading the fundamental thermal parameters of external walls. This, in turn, increases heat loss through major building surfaces, raises heating costs, and indirectly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

The definition and discovery of some hadrons (protons and neutrons) and the rationale and clinical indications forhadron radiotherapy are presented in this paper. The authors describe the Kraków experience in the clinical use of neutron radiotherapy for the period 1978–1995 and the use of proton radiotherapy since 2011. The perspectives for progress for this method of radiotherapy is presented. The definition and discovery of some hadrons (protons and neutrons) and the rationale and clinical indications forhadron radiotherapy are presented in this paper. The authors describe the Kraków experience in the clinical use of neutron radiotherapy for the period 1978–1995 and the use of proton radiotherapy since 2011. The perspectives for progress for this method of radiotherapy is presented.

The phenomenon of primary recrystallization in metallic materials is a complex process that involves nucleation and growth of new grains from the deformed microstructure during post-deformation annealing heat treatment. In this study, we compare the experimental and numerical simulation results of primary recrystallization in metallic materials. The experimental tests were carried out on ARMCO iron samples extruded to 10, 20, and 30% of deformation degree and annealed at 973 K for 300 s. Microsections of the deformed and annealed specimens were analyzed using a metallographic microscope and Joyce–Loebl image analyzer. The numerical simulations were performed using a Monte Carlo algorithm to model the primary recrystallization of variable nucleation rate. On the basis of the classification given by Christian, four types of nucleation were simulated: site-saturated nucleation, constant nucleation rate, increasing nucleation rate, and decreasing nucleation rate, with different magnitudes of stored energy. Our results show that the decreasing nucleation rate model best fits the experimental data. The comparison between the experimental and numerical simulation results provides insights into the nucleation and growth of new grains during primary recrystallization in metallic materials.