Beyond my research activities, I am actively involved in science communication and public engagement, aiming to make materials science, battery technologies, and recycling more accessible to a broader audience.

Public Outreach Activities

Fête de la Science – 

Regular participation in the French national science festival, including interactive workshops on Li-ion battery recycling and sustainable energy storage.

Public Lecture on Energy – ENSMAC, Bordeaux INP

Public lecture introducing energy-related challenges and highlighting the importance of materials science and electrochemical energy storage in the energy transition.

Media Coverage & Interviews

2026 – Des avancées vers de meilleures batteries sodium-ion

CNRS Le Journal, 22 June 2026 – Article by Martin Koppe.

An article highlighting my research at ICMCB on the development of high-performance sodium-ion batteries. It explores innovative ionothermal synthesis approaches to control electrode material nanostructure and surface chemistry, as well as the valorization of sodium sulfate waste from the Li-ion battery industry into promising electrode materials for more sustainable batteries.

Read the article – CNRS Le Journal

Popular Science Articles

2025 – La liqueur noire kraft, d’un simple déchet de l’industrie papetière au stockage d’énergie

R. Poupart, J. Olchowka, J.-L. Bobet, R. Backov.

Techniques de l'Ingénieur, IN197, May 2025.

An article exploring how waste from the paper industry can be transformed into valuable carbon materials for energy storage applications, including supercapacitors.

• Read the article – Techniques de l'Ingénieur (2025)

   

2024 – La liqueur noire 

R. Backov, J.-L. Bobet, J. Olchowka.

L'Actualité Chimique, No. 493, March 2024, p. 62.

A popular science article highlighting the potential of black liquor, a by-product of the paper industry, as a resource for developing sustainable materials.

• Read the article – L'Actualité Chimique (2024) 

   

Science Communication Videos

Recycler grâce aux fluides supercritiques – CNRS Images

Participation in a CNRS documentary presenting research conducted at ICMCB on the use of supercritical fluids to recycle complex materials, including Li-ion batteries. The video highlights the challenges of recovering valuable electrode materials and developing more sustainable recycling processes.

• Watch the CNRS video – Recycler grâce aux fluides supercritiques (2023)

Educational Outreach & Knowledge Sharing

• El-Nano Summer School (2023): Batteries and optimization of electrode materials.

• MATES Summer School (2024): Lithium-ion battery recycling.

• BATTERY 360° Summer School (2026): Lithium-ion battery recycling.

Through these activities, I aim to promote scientific curiosity and contribute to a better understanding of the role of chemistry and materials science in developing sustainable energy technologies.