Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Advanced Technologies and Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Engineering and Industrial Systems

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 September 2026 | Viewed by 4508

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Leonilde Varela

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4804-533 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: manufacturing management; collaborative networks and platforms; decision-support models and systems; industry 4.0
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Zilda De Castro Silveira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
Interests: digital automation technologies and artificial intelligence in industrial systems; collaborative networks and decision-making models in engineering; resilient and efficient industrial engineering systems; sustainability in engineering

Dr. Leonel Patrício

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Production and Systems, Algoritmi/LASI, University of Minho, 4804-533 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: advanced mechanical design for emerging technologies; integrated engineering approaches for innovation in production; sustainability in engineering: balancing environmental, economic, and social dimensions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In an era where sustainability and innovation converge, this Special Issue, “Advanced Technologies and Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Engineering and Industrial Systems”, offers a platform to explore how cutting-edge technologies and collaborative methodologies can address the pressing challenges of modern engineering and industrial systems. This Special Issue seeks to showcase research that drives the development, management, and optimisation of efficient, resilient, and sustainable industrial processes.

Contributions addressing innovative technologies, methodologies, and practises related to engineering and industrial systems are highly encouraged. Submissions may explore diverse perspectives, including solutions that promote efficiency, resilience, and alignment with sustainability principles.

This Special Issue welcomes submissions that provide both theoretical perspectives and practical applications, offering value to those involved in the design, implementation, and management of sustainable industrial systems. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

The development and application of innovative technologies to enhance efficiency and adaptability in industrial systems;
Interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to optimise processes in engineering and production;
The exploration of sustainable and adaptable solutions to meet the demands of emerging industrial challenges;
Design and engineering strategies aimed at integrating emerging technologies;
Advanced methods for analysis and optimisation to improve the efficiency and resilience of industrial systems.

This Special Issue invites original contributions that deliver significant advancements and innovative perspectives on sustainable engineering and industrial systems.

Dr. Leonilde Varela
Dr. Zilda De Castro Silveira
Dr. Leonel Patrício
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

environmental sustainability
circular economy
Industry 4.0
collaborative networks
digital twins
industrial resilience
green technologies
sustainable design
resilient systems
advanced manufacturing

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

36 pages, 43681 KB

Open AccessArticle

Revitalizing Regional Industries Through Public Innovation Intermediaries: A Multi-Stage Evaluation of the Maritime Open Lab Model

by Sunghoon Hong, Gi-Young Chae and Hak Soo Lim

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 4784; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18104784 - 11 May 2026

Viewed by 453

Abstract

As regional industrial hubs face structural decline, the “Regional industrial resurrection (RIR)” model emerges as a critical solution to bridge systemic deficits in capital, talent, and infrastructure via public Open Labs. This study evaluates the Busan maritime Open Lab’s performance (2021–2022), focusing on representative SMEs strategically selected for their active infrastructure utilization and their capacity to provide verifiable quantitative, qualitative, and economic evidence. Technologically, the intervention facilitated significant advancements, including drastic improvements in operational efficiency for ship reverse engineering, the acquisition of the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries award, enhanced capabilities in maritime structure and water engineering, and the successful commercialization of immersive AR, VR, and DT contents. Economically, these firms realized over 3.3 million USD in consolidated revenue, achieving a robust +66.4% growth rate based on a constant exchange rate to isolate macroeconomic volatility. Socially, the model generated 11.5 verified new jobs, while qualitative surveys confirmed a 100% satisfaction rate for expert-led technical advisory, validating the Lab’s role as an essential innovation intermediary. Finally, by comparing this framework with global intermediary models, the study proposes tailored regional expansion strategies and highlights the necessity of future quasi-experimental research to objectively isolate long-term causal impacts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies and Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Engineering and Industrial Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 4597 KB

Open AccessArticle

Engineering Social Stability: An Innovation-Driven Approach to Risk Management in Major Construction Projects

by Yichang Zhang, Min Pang, Zheyuan Zhang, Wendi Zhou, Lin Li and Shufen Cao

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 3061; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18063061 - 20 Mar 2026

Viewed by 423

Abstract

This study introduces a novel risk detection and control system to enhance social stability in major construction projects. Utilizing a heterogeneous cellular automaton model, the system simulates complex interactions among project stakeholders to identify and mitigate Social Stability Risks (SSR). Integrating the Ignorant–Latent–Malcontent–Recovered (ILMR) framework, the model applies principles from epidemiology to predict and manage the spread of social stability risks. Simulation results demonstrate the model’s effectiveness in reducing the number of malcontent and ignorant individuals while increasing the recovered category, stabilizing the social environment around large projects. This approach helps manage immediate risks and improves long-term social acceptance and sustainability of engineering projects. By bridging risk management with advanced simulation techniques, this research contributes to major construction projects by providing a robust framework for managing complex social dynamics, thereby enhancing project success and stakeholder satisfaction. The findings underscore the potential of integrating innovative technological tools with traditional risk management strategies to address the socio-technical challenges of large-scale engineering projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies and Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Engineering and Industrial Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1418 KB

Open AccessArticle

Eco-Efficiency Assessment as an Enabler to Achieve Zero-Waste Manufacturing

by Marcelo Sousa, Sara M. Pinto, Venus Hydar and Flavia V. Barbosa

Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020997 - 19 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 364

Abstract

Achieving the ambitious EU goals of zero-waste manufacturing requires innovative tools and methodologies that address both efficiency and environmental sustainability. This study presents a comprehensive methodology for assessing the efficiency and eco-efficiency of industrial processes, in order to support zero-waste manufacturing strategies. The proposed approach assesses critical performance metrics while integrating environmental-impact analysis to provide a holistic view of process optimization. The methodology was applied to two industrial use cases in the composites sector, a field with significant environmental impact due to the resource-intensive nature of composite manufacturing and challenges associated with the end-of-life management. By implementing this dual assessment, the study identifies key areas for improvement in operational performance and sustainability, offering actionable insights for process optimization and waste reduction. The results reveal that labor costs emerged as the primary contributor to the total costs for both use cases, more than 50%. On the other hand, the resin infusion phase accounts for the majority of the environmental impacts, accounting for more than 70% of the total impacts. This analysis highlights that eco-efficiency assessments, integrating environmental and cost data, allow the identification of inefficiencies, helping industries to prioritize improvement areas. In this specific case, the high environmental impact of resin infusion needs enhanced waste monitoring and process optimization, while the labor-intensive operations need streamlined workflows to reduce operational time and associated costs. The present methodology intends to serve as a practical tool for industries aiming to balance high-performance manufacturing with reduced environmental impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies and Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Engineering and Industrial Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 7480 KB

Open AccessArticle

Immersive Content and Platform Development for Marine Emotional Resources: A Virtualization Usability Assessment and Environmental Sustainability Evaluation

by MyeongHee Han, Hak Soo Lim, Gi-Seong Jeon and Oh Joon Kwon

Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020593 - 7 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 737

Abstract

This study develops an immersive marine Information and Communication Technology (ICT) convergence framework designed to enhance coastal climate resilience by improving accessibility, visualization, and communication of scientific research on Dokdo (Dok Island) in the East Sea. High-resolution spatial datasets, multi-source marine observations, underwater imagery, and validated research outputs were integrated into an interactive virtual-reality (VR) and web-based three-dimensional (3D) platform that translates complex geophysical and ecological information into intuitive experiential formats. A geospatially accurate 3D virtual model of Dokdo was constructed from maritime and underwater spatial data and coupled with immersive VR scenarios depicting sea-level variability, coastal morphology, wave exposure, and ecological characteristics. To evaluate practical usability and pro environmental public engagement, a three-phase field survey (n = 174) and a System Usability Scale (SUS) assessment (n = 42) were conducted. The results indicate high satisfaction (88.5%), strong willingness to re-engage (97.1%), and excellent usability (mean SUS score = 80.18), demonstrating the effectiveness of immersive content for environmental education and science communication crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 targets. The proposed platform supports stakeholder engagement, affective learning, early climate risk perception, conservation planning, and multidisciplinary science–policy dialogue. In addition, it establishes a foundation for a digital twin system capable of integrating real-time ecological sensor data for environmental monitoring and scenario-based simulation. Overall, this integrated ICT-driven framework provides a transferable model for visualizing marine research outputs, enhancing public understanding of coastal change, and supporting sustainable and adaptive decision-making in small island and coastal regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies and Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Engineering and Industrial Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 659 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Conceptual Framework of the Technological Integration of Industry 4.0 with Sustainability Concepts

by Leonel Patrício, Leonilde Varela and Zilda Silveira

Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10160; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210160 - 13 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1823

Abstract

This article presents a systemic framework for integrating Industry 4.0 technologies with sustainability practices, structured around three strategic pillars: technological selection, technological integration, and sustainability assessment. To support its development, a systematic literature review was conducted, applying the PICO methodology (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) to ensure structured and reproducible research, and following PRISMA guidelines to guarantee methodological transparency and rigor. Relevant studies focusing on Industry 4.0 and sustainability integration were identified, analyzed, and synthesized. The proposed framework comprises five iterative stages—diagnosis, selection and prioritization, integration, assessment, and continuous improvement—complemented by practical guidelines to facilitate implementation across diverse organizational contexts, including administrative, financial, and human resources departments. It enables organizations to select appropriate technologies, evaluate multidimensional sustainability impacts, and align innovation with environmental, economic, and social objectives, providing a structured roadmap for decision-making. Comparative analysis with selected literature highlights that the framework fills existing gaps in systemic integration, multidimensional assessment, and iterative adaptation. Although conceptual, it integrates literature review insights and three illustrative case studies, offering a practical pathway for sustainable technological adoption. Future research should focus on empirical validation and metric development to consolidate its applicability across industrial sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies and Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Engineering and Industrial Systems)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Advanced Technologies and Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Engineering and Industrial Systems

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI