The construction and evaluation of a simple and effective mini-reference electrode is presented. Major innovations are the use of high density microporous polyethylene for the restricted flow junction between the internal and external electrolyte and a polypropylene disposable pipette tip as the electrode body. Low electrolyte bleeding, reduced size, relatively low electrical resistance and simplified procedure of construction are some of the advantages of the presented design. These characteristics make this electrode particularly suitable for use with small-volume cells and flow cells, as well as applications where chloride contamination should be avoided. Other applications for the microporous membrane in electroanalysis are introduced.

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Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials as molybdenum disulfide (MoS), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and their hybrid (MoS/h-BN) were employed as fillers to improve the physical properties of epoxy composites. Nanocomposites were produced in different concentrations and studied in their microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties. The hybrid 2D mixture imparted efficient reinforcement to the epoxy leading to increases of up to 95% in tensile strength, 60% in ultimate strain, and 58% in Young's modulus. Moreover, an enhancement of 203% in thermal conductivity was achieved for the hybrid composite as compared to the pure polymer. The incorporation of MoS/h-BN mixture nanofillers in epoxy resulted in nanocomposites with multifunctional characteristics for applications that require high mechanical and thermal performance.

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