Special Issue: Feature Papers in Eng 2024

1. Introduction

Similarly to previous Special Issues of this series, the aim of this fourth edition of “Feature Papers in Eng” is to collect experimental and theoretical works related to engineering science and technology. The general topics published in Eng include electrical, electronic, and information engineering; chemical and materials engineering; energy engineering; mechanical and automotive engineering; industrial and manufacturing engineering; civil and structural engineering; aerospace engineering; biomedical engineering; geotechnical engineering and engineering geology; and ocean and environmental engineering. Many of these topics are included as they contribute to the circular economy and sustainable development. These aspects are addressed from various points of view and are supported by the fascinating field of engineering and its applications. The following selection of representative works of these topics were published in our journal in 2024–early 2025.

The intersection of Industry 4.0 and the circular economy, considered in a manuscript in this Special Issue [1], offers numerous opportunities for businesses to create more sustainable, efficient, and resilient operations. Some examples include digital product passports, which involve using digital technologies to track product lifecycles, thus enabling more efficient recycling and reuse; predictive maintenance, which involves using Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and machine learning to predict maintenance needs, thus reducing waste and improving resource utilization; and product as a service, which involves offering products as services, encouraging sharing and collaboration, and reducing waste.

In a similar vein, sustainable charging stations, alongside electric vehicles (EVs) as key components of a low-carbon transportation system [2], can be designed to minimize environmental impacts while supporting the growth of EVs. Key features include charging stations powered by solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources; battery storage systems to reduce peak demand and stabilize the grid; and fast-charging technologies that minimize energy losses and reduce charging times. The benefits reported for sustainable charging stations also include reduced greenhouse gas emissions due to the use of renewable energy sources; improved air quality by promoting the adoption of EVs; and enhanced energy security by diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels [3].

Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are a widely used agricultural tool that has both benefits and drawbacks for sustainable development [4]. Its cited benefits include significant increases in crop yields, helping to meet global food demands; improvements in food security, particularly in regions with limited agricultural resources; and economic benefits for farmers, due to increases in yield and income. However, some of the drawbacks of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers include the significant environmental impacts of its production and use, including water pollution, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions; the significant amounts of energy required, which is often generated from fossil fuels; and the negative health impacts, particularly for farmers and rural communities, due to exposure to toxic chemicals.

Finally, some sustainable alternatives to the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and their development opportunities include organic fertilizers, such as compost and manure, which can provide a more sustainable alternative to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers; crop rotation and intercropping, which can help improve soil fertility and reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers; promoting sustainable agriculture practices, such as organic farming and agroecology, which can help reduce the environmental impacts of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers; implementing circular economy approaches, such as recycling and reusing nutrients, which can help reduce waste and minimize environmental impacts; and developing policies and regulatory frameworks that support sustainable agriculture practices and reduce the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, which can help promote sustainable development.

Some of these aspects have been addressed in this Special Issue, allowing for greater discussion among potential readers. For more information, please see the List of Contributions.

2. Overview of the Published Articles

This Special Issue contains 42 papers, including 6 Reviews and 1 Perspective, published by several authors interested in new cutting-edge developments in the field of engineering. The submitted papers are from authors from 33 countries, including Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

3. Conclusions

The articles published in this Special Issue present important advancements in engineering. I express my sincere gratitude to all the authors, who have professionally and enthusiastically contributed to this Special Issue, and I thank the managing editors and reviewers who helped to improve the papers and made important contributions to this Special Issue. I hope that the articles showcased in this Special Issue are interesting and inspiring to its readers, especially young scholars who are eager to learn about recent advances in the field and to contribute future research.