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Technologies
Special Issues
Sustainable Technologies and Waste Valorisation Technologies
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Sustainable Technologies and Waste Valorisation Technologies

A Special Issue of Technologies (ISSN 2227-7080) belonging to the section "Environmental Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 4118

Editors

Prof. Dr. Yurii Syromiatnykov

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Soil and Plant Sciences, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, 3001 Jelgava, Latvia
2. Department of Fruit and Vegetable Growing and Viticulture, Institute of Agrobiotechnologies and Food Safety, Samarkand State University Named After Sharof Rashidov, Samarkand 140104, Uzbekistan
Interests: sustainable agriculture; microbial biotechnology; biofertilizers; soil microbiome; humic substances; vortex layer technology; agro-industrial waste utilization
Prof. Dr. Marcin Niemiec

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture and Economics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Interests: sustainable technologies; biomass valorisation; environmental and materials engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid development of engineering, digitalisation, environmental biotechnologies, and intelligent systems is transforming the approaches used to manage modern agricultural systems. These advances are reshaping the technological foundations of sustainable industrial production. They also exert a significant influence on the environmental future of surrounding ecosystems.

This Special Issue focuses on emerging engineering and technology-driven solutions that integrate mechanical systems, automation, sensors, data-driven control, and bioprocessing to support efficient, sustainable, and circular agricultural and environmental systems. Topics of interest include advanced design, modelling, optimisation, materials processing, and performance evaluation of machines, working tools, and processing units; soil–machine interaction, terramechanics, and innovative approaches that couple soil processing and field engineering practices with technologies for the sustainable utilisation and valorisation of organic agricultural biomass; energy-efficient field operations; and ICT-based, robotic, and sensor-integrated platforms for soil, crop, livestock, and environmental monitoring.

Special attention is given to environmental technologies, biotechnologies, and the resource-efficient utilisation and valorisation of organic biomass, including by-products from crop production, livestock systems, and various branches of the food, forestry, textile, and other related industries. Relevant approaches include microbial consortia, solid-state fermentation, bio-oxidative processes, engineered bioreactors, and mechanochemical activation technologies such as vortex layer reactors. These systems enable the conversion of diverse biomass into bioenergy, humic substances, plant biostimulants, soil conditioners, feed additives, functional ingredients, and other value-added materials.

Research addressing postharvest technologies, storage stability, drying, preservation, materials transformation, and digital monitoring systems is also encouraged.

By combining engineering, biotechnology, ICT, materials processing, and environmental technology, this Special Issue aims to highlight next-generation solutions that improve soil health, enhance product quality and storage, reduce environmental impact, and promote circularity in agricultural and industrial systems.

Prof. Dr. Yurii Syromiatnykov
Prof. Dr. Marcin Niemiec
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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Technologies is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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

  • agricultural engineering
  • soil–machine interaction
  • terramechanics
  • field operations
  • environmental biotechnology
  • bio-process engineering
  • biomass valorisation
  • organic agricultural biomass
  • mechanochemical activation
  • microbial consortia
  • environmental technologies
  • circular bioeconomy
  • smart sensors
  • automation and robotics
  • ICT-based monitoring
  • materials processing
  • technologies
  • sustainable production systems

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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19 pages, 4926 KB  
Article
Intelligent Eddy-Current Edge Inspection for Automated Quality Assessment and Resource-Efficient Metal Processing
by Vladimir Malikov, Sergey Voinash, Farmon Mamatov, Aliya Moldakhmetova, Amangeldi Kanaev, Evgeniy Y. Remshev and Alexander Katasonov
Technologies 2026, 14(9), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies14090569 - 10 Sep 2026
Abstract
Metal-cutting operations can generate resource losses not only through the kerf itself but also through subsequent reworking, removal of altered edge material, and processing of workpieces that later prove unsuitable. This study develops and experimentally evaluates an automated eddy-current inspection system intended to [...] Read more.
Metal-cutting operations can generate resource losses not only through the kerf itself but also through subsequent reworking, removal of altered edge material, and processing of workpieces that later prove unsuitable. This study develops and experimentally evaluates an automated eddy-current inspection system intended to characterize metal edges immediately after cutting. The system combines a miniature high-frequency eddy-current transducer, three-axis positioning, digital signal acquisition, and software-based processing. A clad D16AT aluminum alloy specimen with edges produced by laser cutting, cold sawing, and hot shearing was scanned. The air-to-metal transition profiles were described by a logistic function, yielding an electromagnetic transition coordinate xc, a transition parameter s, and the coefficient of determination R2. The fitted xc values were 7.30, 8.76, and 8.93 mm for cold-sawn, laser-cut, and hot-sheared edges, respectively; s was 0.64, 0.59, and 0.67 mm, while R2 was 0.961, 0.959, and 0.941. These quantities are interpreted as comparative electromagnetic descriptors and not as direct measurements of heat-affected-zone depth or defect probability. A scenario calculation based on the displacement of the electromagnetic transition relative to the geometric edge gave apparent material-removal indices of 0.192, 1.127, and 1.236 g per 40-mm edge. Under this explicitly model-based scenario, the laser-cut edge was 8.8% lower than the hot-sheared edge. Complementary measurements showed concordant ordering of the electromagnetic descriptors with roughness, burr height, HV0.1, altered-zone depth, conductivity, and removed-layer mass; the apparent and measured masses differed by 0.3–1.1% for this specimen. The results demonstrate that automated eddy-current mapping can differentiate edge states and provide structured data for routing decisions in resource-efficient and zero-defect manufacturing. Independent-specimen replication, fully traceable physical characterization, and production-scale validation are required before the descriptors can be used as acceptance thresholds or as direct estimates of actual waste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Technologies and Waste Valorisation Technologies)
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26 pages, 5757 KB  
Article
Valorization of Pecan Shell Waste into Magnetic Fe3O4@Biocarbon for Arsenic Removal from Water: Optimization Using Fuzzy Decision Networks and RSM
by Sasirot Khamkure, Chidentree Treesatayapun, Audberto Reyes-Rosas, Alejandro Zermeño-González, Javier de Jesús Cortés-Bracho, Jose-Alexander Gil-Marin, Etelberto Cortez-Quevedo, Nakorn Tippayawong and Patiroop Pholchan
Technologies 2026, 14(8), 515; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies14080515 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 216
Abstract
This study converted pecan shell waste into magnetic Fe3O4@biocarbon for arsenic (V) removal from aqueous medium. A preliminary test was conducted on a binary system of arsenic (V) and lead. A dual-optimization approach was applied using a fuzzy decision [...] Read more.
This study converted pecan shell waste into magnetic Fe3O4@biocarbon for arsenic (V) removal from aqueous medium. A preliminary test was conducted on a binary system of arsenic (V) and lead. A dual-optimization approach was applied using a fuzzy decision network for material synthesis and response surface methodology (RSM) for adsorption performance. The fuzzy model predicted FS2 as an optimal design (particles between 0.38–0.7 mm in size, Fe ratio of 1:1) with high accuracy (R2 > 0.95). In the RSM, removal efficiency and adsorption capacity were estimated to find out the influential parameters, which turned out to be adsorbent dose and As(V) concentration. It was predicted that removal capacity would remove 90.99% As(V) at the dose of 0.95 mg L−1 As(V), pH 3.4 and 1.8 g L−1 dose. However, it was also revealed that the qe model provided a higher confidence (final conditions: 9.95 mg L−1 As(V), pH 3.0 and 0.5 g L−1 dose; qe = 3.96 mg g−1). Evaluation of Fe3O4@biocarbon was conducted at 0.217 mg L−1 As and 34.3 mg L−1 Pb. This suggests removal of lead in addition to arsenic, indicating that the method can be used in multicomponent metal removal. FTIR and XPS analysis showed that removal of As(V) took place through surface complexation with Fe-O and oxygen-containing functional groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Technologies and Waste Valorisation Technologies)
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27 pages, 24088 KB  
Article
Electrospun PVA/Urea Nanofibers as Morphology-Engineered Systems for Controlled Nitrogen Delivery in Agricultural Soils
by Margarita Guadalupe García-Barajas, Claudia E. Pérez-García, Abraham Ulises Chávez-Ramírez, Ana A. Feregrino-Pérez, Alejandra Álvarez-López, Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz and Vanessa Vallejo-Becerra
Technologies 2026, 14(7), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies14070405 - 2 Jul 2026
Viewed by 449
Abstract
Electrospun composite nanofibers represent an emerging strategy for the development of efficient fertilizer systems, as they enable modulation of the structural properties of the nanofibrous network and, consequently, the transport and release processes of nutrients. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers loaded [...] Read more.
Electrospun composite nanofibers represent an emerging strategy for the development of efficient fertilizer systems, as they enable modulation of the structural properties of the nanofibrous network and, consequently, the transport and release processes of nutrients. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers loaded with two different urea contents (0.09 g and 0.36 g) were fabricated and characterized to investigate how urea incorporation modifies the nanofiber morphology and influences urea release kinetics. SEM and EDS analyses confirmed that increasing urea content promotes surface roughnes and reduced nanofiber diameters, whereas XRD and FTIR demonstrated a decrease in crystallinity and the formation of hydrogen-bonded interactions between PVA chains and urea molecules, indicating that urea is incorporated within the PVA network rather than being superficially adsorbed on the nanofiber surface. These structural changes govern water retention and release kinetics: the 0.36 g formulation exhibited a 100-h induction period followed by multiphase diffusion, while the 0.09 g system displayed immediate release but lower final concentrations. Kinetic modeling revealed excellent fitting to the Higuchi and second-order models, confirming diffusion-controlled urea release modulated by internal interactions. The nanofiber network thus behaves as an active regulator of nitrogen mobility, overcoming the limitations of conventional coating-based fertilizers. These findings demonstrate the potential of PVA/urea nanofibers as scalable platforms for sustainable nitrogen delivery in agriculture, bridging morphology-driven polymer design with environmental performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Technologies and Waste Valorisation Technologies)
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41 pages, 6513 KB  
Article
Engineering Optimisation of Combined Soil Preparation for Ridge-Based Peanut Production and Residue Biodegradation
by Farmon M. Mamatov, Fakhriddin U. Karshiev, Nargiza B. Ravshanova, Sanjar Zh. Toshtemirov, Uchkun Kodirov, Nurbek Sh. Rashidov, Golib D. Shodmonov, Nodir I. Saidov, Mokhichekhra F. Begimkulova and Allamurod Ismatov
Technologies 2026, 14(4), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies14040203 - 29 Mar 2026
Viewed by 908
Abstract
Sustainable ridge-based peanut production following winter wheat requires soil preparation technologies capable of simultaneously ensuring precise ridge formation, reduced energy consumption and efficient in situ utilisation of crop residues. This study aimed to develop and experimentally validate a combined soil preparation technology integrating [...] Read more.
Sustainable ridge-based peanut production following winter wheat requires soil preparation technologies capable of simultaneously ensuring precise ridge formation, reduced energy consumption and efficient in situ utilisation of crop residues. This study aimed to develop and experimentally validate a combined soil preparation technology integrating shallow tillage, deep loosening and ridge formation within a single field pass, and to quantify its technological and biological performance. Field experiments were conducted using a prototype combined machine with analytically justified geometric parameters of the working tools, followed by multifactor optimisation and statistical modelling. Technological performance was assessed by soil fragmentation degree and draft resistance, while biological effects were evaluated using residue incorporation (Pz), biodegradation coefficient after 60 days (k60) and dehydrogenase activity after 30 days (DHA30). The results showed statistically significant nonlinear relationships between tool parameters and technological responses, with coefficients of determination exceeding 0.94 for soil fragmentation and 0.97 for draft resistance. The proposed technology increased residue incorporation efficiency by 15–20%, enhanced biodegradation intensity (k60) by up to 18%, and reduced energy consumption due to single-pass operation compared with conventional multi-pass systems. A strong relationship between Pz and biological indicators confirmed the key role of residue placement in controlling microbial processes. These findings demonstrate that integrated control of soil processing and residue placement enables energy-efficient single-pass technologies for ridge-based peanut production systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Technologies and Waste Valorisation Technologies)
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32 pages, 2317 KB  
Systematic Review
Artificial Intelligence Applications for Cleaner Production and Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review and Future Research Directions
by Victor James C. Escolano, Yann-Mey Yee, Alexander A. Hernandez, Charmine Sheena R. Saflor, Do Van Nang and Ace C. Lagman
Technologies 2026, 14(3), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies14030182 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1429
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has reshaped various aspects of human lives, particularly through its capabilities to address complex sustainability challenges. Despite the rapid expansion of AI applications, their contribution to cleaner production and sustainable development remains underexplored, especially in developing nations. In Southeast Asia [...] Read more.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has reshaped various aspects of human lives, particularly through its capabilities to address complex sustainability challenges. Despite the rapid expansion of AI applications, their contribution to cleaner production and sustainable development remains underexplored, especially in developing nations. In Southeast Asia (SEA), where AI adoption has grown substantially across environmental, economic, and social dimensions, research that examines its role in cleaner production outcomes remains fragmented. In view of this gap, this study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of AI applications related to cleaner production and sustainable development by examining relevant themes, application areas, and sustainability dimensions addressed by AI, while evaluating the maturity of AI methodologies, alignment with cleaner production outcomes, and integration with circular economy and resource efficiency goals. Moreover, it investigates the barriers and challenges that constrain AI application and offers future research directions to advance AI deployment for cleaner production and sustainable development across SEA countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Technologies and Waste Valorisation Technologies)
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