Fossil fuel energy supply limitations and environmental impacts are causing critical problems to the planet. In this context, researchers have urged to develop, storage, and apply renewable energy as an alternative source to fossil fuel. The commonly used renewable energy sources are the most diverse from biomasses, solar, and wind power. However, all these alternative renewable energy sources require efficient energy storage devices and the developed electrochemical energy storage devices are supercapacitors, fuel cells, and lithium-ion battery. With the growing demand for energy solutions, researchers and companies are continuously exploring new materials and technologies to enhance devices performance, durability, and safety. Nowadays, it is the pursuit of the materials science community to implement sustainable materials in all fields of applications. It is expected that materials encompass properties like high abundance in nature; low cost; eco-friendliness; recyclability and suitable properties for the envisaged application. In this sense, we propose herein the development of novel electrolytes for electrochemical devices, based on a natural polymer [1], doped with green ionic liquids (ILs) or/and different salts. These electrolytes may assume a multifunctional role as separator, adhesive and cell sealant in electrochemical devices. The results emphasize the huge potential of the developed green electrolytes in technological applications, as diverse as batteries [2].

The UN introduced 17 Goals for 2030 that intend to be a foundation for a better and more sustainable future. Out of these, Goals 7, 11, and 13, it will hopefully help to achieve a more sustainable energy future in the cities, the storage systems, and a better lifestyle.

Advancing lithium-ion battery (LIB) technologies requires not only the development of innovative materials and chemistries but also effective strategies to scale laboratory research into practical, manufacturable cell formats. In this study, we present the successful prototyping of LIB pouch cells using a fully automated pilot production line. The work emphasizes the optimization of critical parameters necessary to transition high-performance battery systems from laboratory to pre-commercial scale.

Cathode and anode materials were systematically engineered with optimized compositions to enhance electrochemical stability and capacity. Key electrode characteristics - such as mass loading, porosity, and density - were carefully tuned to balance energy density with mechanical integrity during calendering and stacking. Multiple LiFePO₄-based cathode formulations were evaluated, while graphite anodes were refined to achieve high electronic conductivity and low polarization.

Electrolyte formulations were tailored for compatibility with the selected electrode materials, promoting a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and minimizing gas evolution and degradation during cycling. Various electrolyte volumes and filling techniques were assessed to ensure uniform wetting and to mitigate internal pressure buildup.

The pouch cell design was guided by target energy density requirements, incorporating optimized tab placement, electrode dimensions, separator selection, and packaging parameters. Cell assembly followed a fully integrated sequence on the pilot line, including slurry mixing, coating, drying, calendering, punching, stacking, tab welding, pouch forming, electrolyte filling, and final sealing.

This study underscores the critical importance of integrating materials innovation with scalable cell engineering to bridge the gap between lab-scale development and real-world battery applications. The resulting prototype pouch cells demonstrated consistent and promising performance, representing a significant step toward commercially viable lithium-ion battery technologies.

The text addresses the environmental impact of the automobile industry, highlighting the increase in pollutant emissions with the mass production of combustion vehicles. As a more sustainable alternative, electric vehicles have gained prominence because they do not emit pollutants and are more efficient. However, their batteries present technological challenges, such as high cost, limited useful life and environmental risks due to improper disposal. Batteries operate based on oxidation-reduction reactions, especially lithium-ion batteries, due to their high energy density. Studies suggest that battery performance can be improved with a higher carbon content in the electrodes. In this context, the use of sugarcane bagasse biochar in the anode is proposed, as it is abundant in Brazil, has good electrical conductivity, porosity and mechanical stability. Furthermore, the development of lithium-sodium (Li-Na) hybrid batteries is considered as a promising alternative, using sodium oxyhydroxide in the cathode, aiming at greater durability, lower cost and less environmental impact. The combination of organic materials and alternative elements can favor the circular economy, sustainability and commercial viability in different technological applications.

The global imperative to achieve environmental sustainability demands not only the advancement of cleaner energy sources and eco-friendly technologies but also the assurance of their long-term reliability. Reliability engineering offers a critical framework to ensure that sustainable systems—from renewable energy infrastructures to electronic devices and green transportation—perform consistently under diverse and often harsh environmental conditions. By employing physics-of-failure models, accelerated life testing, and statistical reliability analysis, engineers can identify degradation mechanisms such as thermal cycling, corrosion, and material fatigue that threaten the integrity of sustainable technologies.

Reliability engineering also plays a vital role in reducing environmental waste. Products with longer, predictable lifespans diminish the need for premature replacement, thereby minimizing resource extraction, energy consumption, and electronic waste. This is especially crucial given the rapid increase in global reliance on electronic products. From 2010 to 2022, global e-waste generation more than doubled and is projected to reach 82 million tons by 2030—making it one of the fastest-growing waste streams worldwide. Poor e-waste management practices result in externalized costs of approximately US$78 billion annually, impacting both human health and the environment.

Despite its importance, current reliability engineering practices face significant challenges. One major issue is the necessity of producing a physical product before testing its reliability. If the product proves unreliable, discarding it contributes to waste, and manufacturers—having already incurred production costs—often still bring it to market. Additionally, reliability testing to estimate product lifespan can be time-consuming and expensive, leading many manufacturers to avoid rigorous reliability assessments.

A promising solution to these challenges is the implementation of design-in reliability. For this approach to be effective, the underlying physics of failure must be clearly understood, and methods for integrating this knowledge into product design must be established. Unfortunately, current reliability engineering methodologies do not adequately support this integration. This presentation will detail the limitations of existing reliability practices.

To address these gaps, a new discipline—Reliability Science—will be introduced. Developed by the speaker, this field will be illustrated through verified practical examples, including applications in high-power LED lamps, lithium-ion batteries, low-earth orbit satellites, and timely maintenance of engineering systems. The presentation will also explore how Reliability Science can contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability.

Plastic pollution poses a significant environmental threat, with single-use plastics like PET bottles playing a major role in the degradation of ecosystems. Conventional recycling methods, although aimed at reducing this impact, often lead to the creation of microplastics—tiny, persistent particles that endanger both biodiversity and human health. In contrast, upcycling offers a more sustainable and innovative alternative by converting plastic waste into high-value materials, thereby avoiding microplastic formation altogether. This approach not only mitigates environmental harm but also contributes to technological progress, particularly in areas such as energy storage.

In this study, waste PET bottles were upcycled into phosphorus-doped hard carbon (P-HC) via a one-step pyrolysis process using orthophosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), with the goal of enhancing the electrochemical performance of the resulting carbon material. Electrochemical analyses demonstrated that the 3P-HC anode delivered outstanding lithium storage performance, achieving a high specific capacity of 765 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g⁻¹ and 531 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹. These results significantly surpass those of undoped PET-derived carbon anodes.

The performance improvements are attributed to phosphorus doping, which enhances electrical conductivity and induces beneficial structural modifications, including expanded interlayer spacing, increased surface area, and greater structural disorder.

Overall, this work offers a promising dual solution to both plastic waste management and the development of high-performance anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.