The general concept of radiation therapy used in conventional cancer treatment is to increase the therapeutic index by creating a physical dose differential between tumors and normal tissues through precision dose targeting, image guidance, and radiation beams that deliver a radiation dose with high conformality, e.g., protons and ions. However, the treatment and cure are still limited by normal tissue radiation toxicity, with the corresponding side effects. A fundamentally different paradigm for increasing the therapeutic index of radiation therapy has emerged recently, supported by preclinical research, and based on the FLASH radiation effect. FLASH radiation therapy (FLASH-RT) is an ultra-high-dose-rate delivery of a therapeutic radiation dose within a fraction of a second. Experimental studies have shown that normal tissues seem to be universally spared at these high dose rates, whereas tumors are not. While dose delivery conditions to achieve a FLASH effect are not yet fully characterized, it is currently estimated that doses delivered in less than 200 ms produce normal-tissue-sparing effects, yet effectively kill tumor cells. Despite a great opportunity, there are many technical challenges for the accelerator community to create the required dose rates with novel compact accelerators to ensure the safe delivery of FLASH radiation beams.

Managing red mud (RM), a solid waste byproduct of the alumina recovery process, is a serious ecological and environmental issue. With ~150 million tons/year of RM being generated globally, nearly 4.6 billion tons of RM are presently stored in vast waste reserves. RM can be a valuable resource of metals, minor elements, and rare earth elements. The suitability of RM as a low-grade iron resource was assessed in this study. The utilization of RM as a material resource in several commercial, industrial operations was briefly reviewed. Key features of iron recovery techniques, such as magnetic separation, carbothermal reduction, smelting reduction, acid leaching, and hydrothermal techniques were presented. RMs from different parts of the globe including India, China, Greece, Italy, France, and Russia were examined for their iron recovery potential. Data on RM composition, iron recovery, techniques, and yields was presented. The composition range of RMs examined were: Fe2O3: 28.3–63.2 wt.%; Al2O3: 6.9–26.53 wt.%; SiO2: 2.3–22.0 wt.%; Na2O: 0.27–13.44 wt.%; CaO: 0.26–23.8 wt.%; Al2O3/SiO2: 0.3–4.6. Even with a high alumina content and high Al2O3/SiO2 ratios, it was possible to recover iron in all cases, showing the significant potential of RM as a secondary resource of low-grade iron.

Thermo-electrochemical cells (also known as thermocells, TECs) represent a promising technology for harvesting and exploiting low-grade waste heat (<100–150 °C) ubiquitous in the modern environment. Based on temperature-dependent redox reactions and ion diffusion, emerging liquid-state thermocells convert waste heat energy into electrical energy, generating power at low costs, with minimal material consumption and negligible carbon footprint. Recent developments in thermocell performances are reviewed in this article with specific focus on new redox couples, electrolyte optimisation towards enhancing power output and operating temperature regime and the use of carbon and other nanomaterials for producing electrodes with high surface area for increasing current density and device performance. The highest values of output power and cell potentials have been achieved for the redox ferri/ferrocyanide system and Co2+/3+, with great opportunities for further development in both aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. New thermoelectric applications in the field include wearable and portable electronic devices in the health and performance-monitoring sectors; using body heat as a continuous energy source, thermoelectrics are being employed for long-term, continuous powering of these devices. Energy storage in the form of micro supercapacitors and in lithium ion batteries is another emerging application. Current thermocells still face challenges of low power density, conversion efficiency and stability issues. For waste-heat conversion (WHC) to partially replace fossil fuels as an alternative energy source, power generation needs to be commercially viable and cost-effective. Achieving greater power density and operations at higher temperatures will require extensive research and significant developments in the field.

Due to the effective development of ion-track technology, it became possible to produce porous templates with large areas, which are of interest for mass production of nanostructures. Given that the template parameters often define properties of the resulting nanostructures and nanosystems, a reliable method for non-destructive testing is needed for a rapid control of template parameters. Such method could be ellipsometry, allowing for a single measurement to collect statistical information from a large area and to save time for certification. In order to adapt the ellipsometry method for controlling the parameters of ion-track patterns, the first studies of SiO2/Si templates with low porosity were carried out. Using the standard model of the interaction of a polarized light beam with a layered structure of silicon oxide on silicon, the basic parameters of the pores were determined by means of mathematical transformations and subsequently compared with the results of scanning electron microscopy.

The Republic of Belarus is a participant in global efforts for nuclear non-proliferation, ensuring the preservation of nuclear materials and countering nuclear terrorism. In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 124 dated March 29, 2011, the Joint Institute for Power and Nuclear Research – Sosny of National Academy of Science of Belarus is the operator (operating organization) of a number of critical and subcritical nuclear facilities, radiation installations and fresh nuclear fuel storage, containing highly enriched uranium fuel. A nuclear security culture is an important necessary constituent of the nuclear and radiation security. The authors of this paper will report on the approach the Institute is taking in regard to advancing nuclear security program, what are the Institute’s goals and objectives, and what steps are being taken to support effective the physical protection system at the Scientific Institution “JIPNR - Sosny” and another operating organization in the Republic of Belarus. The range of measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of internal violators activity, early detection of potential internal violators and preventing from causing harm are presented.