The paper presents the state of knowledge and technology on the concrete-polymer composites (C-PC) and the prospects of their development. We can formulate a general thesis: the future of C-PC lies not only in technology, but also in ability to manage it. New arrangement of the research facts-new understanding of the nature of the material and the thrust for further development in application and theory are the present expectations. There are many old questions about material selection, its usability, compatibility and durability. The new questions are about material model.
It is difficult to expect completely new material concept in C-PC domain in the nearest future. It would be rather better using of polymers-more economical and in more synergetic way. It also means more sophisticated formulation and way of preparation. There are various findings in other disciplines, which would affect the development of the concrete-polymer composites. Some of them as well as a creation of such ideas are discussed in the paper.

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The paper deals with analysis of data about distribution network device failures and electric power supply outages from distribution companies. There are also suggestions how to improve reliability using new materials. Since each company has different structure of data monitoring the uniform methodology was created to enable comparison of processed results. Data structure, the way of distribution network device reliability evaluation and some of the preliminary results of the analyses are presented in this paper. There are also described the basic principles of the Reliability Centered Maintenance-RCM and its application to electric distribution network devices. Its aim is more effective maintenance program of equipment. The inputs of such analyses are databases of outages, maintenance, equipment condition and financial flow. The last part of the paper consists of introduction of fuel cell systems reliability in context of the grid-linked operation.

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Two new thiacalix [6] arene (TC6A) derivatives modified at the lower rims, which are TC6A-COOCH₃ (1) and TC6A-COOC₂H₅ (2), respectively, were synthesized. The metal extraction properties of TC4A, TC6A, 1 and 2 from automotive catalyst residue solution containing platinum-group metal cations have been investigated. TC6A shows the highest extraction capability for Pd cation with higher selectivity. On the other hand, 1 shows the remarkable higher extraction ability for Zr cation between metal cations examined.

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Odors from composting plants are a serious public nuisance. Ammonia gas (NH₃) is the main molecule responsible for bad odors that arise from composting of organic wastes such as animal manure. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is known to increase the solubility of NH₃ in water. Taking that effect of CO₂ into account, numerical calculation of the absorption of NH₃ into water was carried out under the assumption of quasiequilibrium conditions. Based on that theoretical consideration, the authors propose a new deodorizing process that consists of a carbonator and a reactor. The carbonated water produced by pressurized CO₂ gas is transported to the reactor, where NH₃ gas dissolves efficiently in the water. Carbonated water with NH₃ is useful as a liquid fertilizer.
It is expected that the consumption of water in the new process is significantly lessened compared to that consumed in traditional processing. According to theoretical considerations, 100ppm NH₃ in 1m³ air can be reduced to 10ppm after deodorization using 0.1kg carbonated water at CO₂ concentration of 2×10^-3kg L^-1.

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