Sustainable Engineering Cases and Transformative Education: Co-Evolving Research, Teaching, and Innovation

Dear Colleagues,

Engineering education can play a decisive role in translating sustainability goals into technical practice, while advances in sustainable engineering can themselves provide valuable resources for future education, curriculum development, competence building, and public or professional awareness. This Special Issue explores the reciprocal relationship between sustainable engineering practice and educational innovation. Indicative topics that are covered in this Special Issue are listed below.

• Sustainability-oriented engineering education;
• Sustainable engineering case studies;
• Research–teaching integration and knowledge transfer;
• Project- and challenge-based learning;
• Low-carbon engineering;
• Green energy and thermal systems;
• Digital simulation and AI-assisted design;
• Industry–university collaboration and educational translation;
• Sustainability awareness, competencies and learning potential;
• Engineering innovation and entrepreneurship

Subsequently, we welcome both education-focused studies and technically rigorous engineering case studies with clear potential to be translated into teaching, project-based learning, laboratory activities, capstone design, professional training, innovation/entrepreneurship education, or sustainability-awareness initiatives. Relevant cases may include low-carbon thermal management, green data centers, hydrogen and fuel-cell systems, clean mobility, renewable-energy conversion, sustainable aerospace technologies, and other engineering solutions addressing energy, carbon, resources, safety, resilience, and lifecycle performance. Studies are not required to have already completed classroom implementation or learning-outcome evaluation, provided that their educational relevance, transferable knowledge, or pathways for future educational integration are clearly articulated. We also welcome evidence on how student projects, digital simulation, AI-assisted design, industry–university collaboration, and curriculum reform can feed back into engineering research and sustainable technology development. Original research, case studies, comparative studies, reviews, and transferable frameworks are welcome.

Dr. Caizhi Zhang
Dr. Yanmei Jiao
Guest Editors

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