Exactly 50 years ago, the first article on electrochromism was published. Today electrochromic materials are highly popular in various devices. Interest in nanostructured electrochromic and nanocomposite organic/inorganic nanostructured electrochromic materials has increased in the last decade. These materials can enhance the electrochemical and electrochromic properties of devices related to them. This article describes electrochromic materials, proposes their classification and systematization for organic inorganic and nanostructured electrochromic materials, identifies their advantages and shortcomings, analyzes current tendencies in the development of nanomaterials used in electrochromic coatings (films) and their practical use in various optical devices for protection from light radiation, in particular, their use as light filters and light modulators for optoelectronic devices, as well as methods for their preparation. The modern technologies of “Smart Windows”, which are based on chromogenic materials and liquid crystals, are analyzed, and their advantages and disadvantages are also given. Various types of chromogenic materials are presented, examples of which include photochromic, thermochromic and gasochromic materials, as well as the main physical effects affecting changes in their optical properties. Additionally, this study describes electrochromic technologies based on WO3 films prepared by different methods, such as electrochemical deposition, magnetron sputtering, spray pyrolysis, sol–gel, etc. An example of an electrochromic “Smart Window” based on WO3 is shown in the article. A modern analysis of electrochromic devices based on nanostructured materials used in various applications is presented. The paper discusses the causes of internal and external size effects in the process of modifying WO3 electrochromic films using nanomaterials, in particular, GO/rGO nanomaterials.

Of great importance in materials science is the design of effective functional materials that can be used in various technological fields. Nanomodified materials, which have fundamentally new properties and provide previously unrealized properties, have acquired particular importance. When creating heating elements and materials for deformation measurement, it is necessary to understand the patterns of heat release under conditions of mechanical deformation of the material, as this expands the potential applications of such materials. A study of elastomers modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been carried at the MWCNTs concentration of 1–8 wt.%. The modes of heat release of nanomodified elastomers at a voltage of 50 V at different levels of tension are reported. The increment of the MWCNTs concentration to 7 wt.% leads to an increment in the power of heat emissions. It is worth noting the possibility of using the obtained elastomer samples with MNT as sensitive elements of strain sensors, which will allow obtaining information about physical and chemical parameters following the principles of measuring the change in electrical resistance that occurs during stretching and torsion. The changes in conductivity and heat emission under different conditions have been studied in parallel with Raman mapping and infrared thermography. The reported studies allow to make the next step to develop flexible functional materials for the field of electric heating and deformation measurement based on elastic matrices and nanoscale conductive fillers.

The turn to hydrogen as an energy source is a fundamentally important task facing the global energetics, aviation and automotive industries. This step would reduce the negative man-made impact on the environment on the one hand, and provide previously inaccessible power modes and increased resources for technical systems, predetermining the development of an absolutely new life cycle for important areas of technology, on the other. The most important aspect in this case is the development of next-generation technologies for hydrogen industry waste management that will definitely reduce the negative impact of technology on the environment. We consider the approaches and methods related to new technologies in the area of hydrogen storage (HS), which requires the use of specialized equipment equipped with efficient and controlled temperature control systems, as well as the involvement of innovative materials that allow HS in solid form. Technologies for controlling hydrogen production and storage systems are of great importance, and can be implemented using neural networks, making it possible to significantly improve all technological stages according to the criteria of energy efficiency reliability, safety, and eco-friendliness. The recent advantages in these directions are also reviewed.

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