Both high temperature molten salts and room temperature ionic liquids (collectively termed liquid salts) have unique properties, including good heat capacity, good electrical conductivity and, in some cases, chemical catalytic properties. They are critical for the efficient production and processing of many different materials, for example the electrolytic extraction and refining of aluminium and silicon, particularly important in the post fossil fuel era. Other industrial applications range from solvents and fuel cells to alloy heat treatments and pyroprocessing in nuclear fuel.