Advances in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for Industry 4.0 Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

Industry 4.0 is characterized by the fusion of enabling technologies that blur the borders between physical and cyberspace to gather, process and exchange as much information as possible to optimize the daily operation of modern smart factories. Examples of such technologies are the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Augmented Reality (AR), robotics, 3D printing, autonomous robots, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), cyber–physical systems, fog and edge computing or big data analysis.

Another promising technology is Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), which comprises decentralized data structures that provide immutable and trustful transactions through blocks of data linked cryptographically. Blockchain, one of the most popular DLT technologies so far, allows for developing scalable, automated and efficient peer-to-peer platforms for exchanging, storing and securing assets in a sustainable, accountable, trustworthy, and transparent way. Therefore, DLT-enabled applications, combined with smart contracts, have the potential to reduce systemic risks, financial fraud, the use of central intermediaries, and operational costs in Industry 4.0.  

Although the convergence of Industry 4.0 technologies and DLTs can potentially overcome today’s main operational challenges, its formal adoption still faces significant challenges that require further research in terms of scalability, consensus algorithms, data privacy, performance, storage, interoperability and standardization, among others. Through this Special Issue, we invite researchers from industry and academia to send high-quality and innovative work on recent advances in blockchain and DLT schemes for Industry 4.0 technologies. 

Specific topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Blockchain and DLT foundations for Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Distributed system theory.
• Consensus algorithms for DLT-enabled Industry 4.0 technologies. 
• Identity management in DLT-enabled Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Smart contracts for Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Security mechanisms for DLT-enabled Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Performance evaluation of DLT-enabled Industry 4.0 technologies. 
• Standardization for Industry 4.0 technologies and DLT convergence.
• Use of DLT in cloud, fog and edge computing.
• Challenges of Blockchain and DLT schemes for Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Novel cyber–physical systems for DLT-enabled Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Blockchain and DLT-enabled Industry 4.0 applications like smart manufacturing, smart supply chain, intelligent transportation systems, smart grid, forensics, cyber-security or applications of big data analysis. 

Prof. Tiago M. Fernández-Caramés
Dr. Paula Fraga-Lamas
Guest Editors

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