Historic structures serve as vital links to our cultural, architectural, and technological past. However, these structures are increasingly threatened by aging, environmental stressors, and modern development pressures. Retrofitting emerges as a crucial strategy for reinforcing historic buildings while preserving their cultural integrity. This paper critically examines the challenges and considerations involved in selecting appropriate retrofitting materials for historic structures, with an emphasis on compatibility, reversibility, durability, and sustainability. .

As artificial intelligence (AI) systems increasingly influence high-stakes and sensitive aspects of human life, the demand for transparency and interpretability has become paramount. This has led to the emergence and prioritization of Explainable AI (XAI), which seeks to provide clarity into the decision-making processes of complex AI models. Researchers and policymakers alike have emphasized the necessity of transparency to build trust, ensure accountability, and meet ethical and legal standards. In critical applications—such as healthcare, finance, and criminal justice—the opacity of AI decisions can hinder public acceptance and raise concerns about fairness and bias. .

As the digital era advances, Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) design plays a pivotal role in fulfilling demands for higher performance, reduced power consumption, and scalable architecture. This study explores how VLSI techniques evolve to address challenges associated with nanometer-scale technologies, such as thermal constraints, power density, and manufacturing variability. From architectural decisions like parallelism and memory hierarchy to logical and physical design optimizations, every stage contributes to achieving compact, efficient, and reliable systems. Innovations including FinFETs, GAAFETs, 3D integration, and AI-driven architectures like DSAs further push the boundaries of what modern digital systems can accomplish. .

The transition of electrical distribution networks from centralized to distributed systems has significantly heightened the complexity of maintaining power quality. Modern power grids now incorporate a multitude of sensitive digital loads and decentralized energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar and battery storage, which create bidirectional power flows and dynamic operational conditions. Traditional power quality solutions like capacitor banks and voltage regulators are now being complemented by advanced technologies, including active power filters, dynamic voltage restorers, and intelligent inverters. These innovations enable real-time control of voltage, frequency, harmonics, and reactive power..

Urban transportation systems are vital for shaping the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of cities. However, as urban areas continue to expand, ensuring equitable and accessible transportation has become a pressing challenge. This paper highlights the critical importance of addressing transportation inequities that disproportionately affect marginalized populations, including low-income communities, people with disabilities, and racial minorities. It emphasizes the need to evaluate transportation systems not only by their efficiency but also by their inclusivity, affordability, and accessibility..

Understanding the complex interaction between wind forces and bridge structures is critical to ensuring aerodynamic stability and preventing flutter—a dangerous wind-induced vibration that can lead to structural failure. This study highlights the importance of analyzing both steady and unsteady aerodynamic loads and their coupling with the bridge’s natural frequencies. Advanced computational tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) enable detailed simulation of wind flow and structural response, aiding in early identification of flutter risks. Design strategies including aerodynamic shaping, tuned mass dampers, and active control devices are essential in mitigating these instabilities..

The rapid advancement of high-performance mechanical systems across aerospace, automotive, robotics, and manufacturing sectors demands innovative lubrication technologies that surpass traditional mineral-based oils in thermal stability, friction reduction, and wear resistance. This research explores cutting-edge lubrication solutions including synthetic lubricants, nanomaterials, smart fluids, and bio-based alternatives designed to operate under extreme conditions while enhancing system efficiency, longevity, and environmental sustainability..

The development of superconducting materials for next-generation electrical components promises transformative advances in energy transmission, storage, and high-performance technologies. Despite challenges such as low operating temperatures, high costs, and mechanical limitations, ongoing research into novel materials like iron-based superconductors and hydrogen-rich compounds offers potential breakthroughs. .

The transition from centralized to decentralized power systems has emphasized the importance of distributed generation (DG) for sustainable and resilient energy delivery. Optimizing power dispatch in DG networks is challenging due to the nonlinear, multi-objective, and dynamic nature of these systems. Conventional mathematical programming, metaheuristic algorithms, and hybrid approaches have been developed to address these challenges, each with distinct advantages and limitations. Recent advances focus on multi-objective optimization, real-time adaptive techniques, and scalability to effectively manage the growing complexity of DG networks..

Transformers are essential components in modern power systems, facilitating efficient electricity transmission and distribution. Although their fundamental operation remains rooted in 19th-century electromagnetic induction principles, evolving energy demands and environmental considerations necessitate transformative advancements. Conventional transformer designs are plagued by various inefficiencies—core and copper losses, stray losses, and thermal dissipation—which result in economic and ecological burdens. The integration of renewable energy sources, urbanization, and the rise of smart grids call for adaptive, high-performance transformer technologies..

Electrical substations are vital components in power systems, responsible for voltage regulation, power distribution, and ensuring the reliability of electricity supply. However, their increasing exposure to equipment failures, environmental stresses, and cyber-physical threats necessitates robust fault-tolerant designs. .

Structural abnormalities in buildings, particularly in the seismic force-resisting (SFR) components or lateral force-resisting systems (LFRS), can significantly compromise structural integrity. These systems, such as shear walls, moment-resisting frames, and dual systems, are crucial in transferring seismic forces. However, inconsistencies in mass, stiffness, and strength distribution—especially due to functional variations across floors (e.g., parking, storage, or observatory towers)—introduce vulnerabilities. These abnormalities are broadly classified as vertical and horizontal. .

Energy-absorbing structures are essential components in modern engineering designed to mitigate the effects of blast loads and impacts across various sectors including defense, automotive, aerospace, and civil infrastructure. These structures function by absorbing, dissipating, and redirecting high-energy dynamic forces to minimize structural damage and protect human occupants. Advances in materials such as metallic foams, functionally graded materials, composites, and metamaterials, combined with innovative design strategies and computational modeling, have significantly improved performance under extreme loading conditions. .

Embedded mechanical devices increasingly rely on energy harvesting to overcome the limitations posed by wired power and finite battery life. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of various energy-harvesting technologies—including piezoelectric, electromagnetic, electrostatic, thermoelectric, photovoltaic, RF, and triboelectric approaches—targeted at powering embedded systems such as wireless sensor nodes and wearable monitors. A unified mathematical model was developed and validated through simulation and experimental testing to estimate power output and system efficiency under diverse ambient conditions..

The integration of renewable energy sources (RES) into urban transport systems is essential to combat air pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure sustainable mobility in the face of rapid urbanization. Traditional fossil fuel-based transportation contributes significantly to environmental degradation and public health risks. By adopting renewable-powered solutions such as electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen fuel cell technologies, and solar-powered infrastructure, cities can reduce their carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency. Despite challenges like high initial investment costs, infrastructure limitations, and energy storage constraints, several global cities are demonstrating the feasibility of green mobility initiatives. This study emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable transportation policies, infrastructure investment, and technological innovation to build resilient and eco-friendly urban transit networks..

In modern engineering applications, high-stress components serve as critical elements across sectors such as aerospace, automotive, power generation, and civil infrastructure. These components are exposed to extreme mechanical, thermal, and environmental conditions that lead to various complex failure mechanisms including fatigue, creep, stress corrosion cracking, and wear. Ensuring their reliability and longevity is paramount for operational safety, cost-efficiency, and technological progress..

Concrete production heavily relies on natural sand as fine aggregate, leading to environmental degradation due to excessive sand mining. This study investigates the feasibility of using coal mine overburden material (MOB), a mining waste predominantly composed of sandstone, as a sustainable alternative to natural sand in concrete. MOB was collected from open-cast mines in Nagpur, India, processed, and characterized for its physical and chemical properties. Concrete mixes of grade M30 were prepared with varying MOB replacement levels. Mechanical properties, including compressive and tensile strength, and durability tests were conducted following relevant standards..

This review explores recent advancements in biodiesel production and application, focusing on diverse feedstocks, catalyst optimization, and engine performance evaluation. Studies highlight the potential of algae (Botryococcus braunii), spent cooking oils, and various vegetable oils (mustard, neem, jatropha) as sustainable raw materials for biodiesel synthesis. Nanoparticle catalysts have demonstrated significant improvements in emission reduction and engine efficiency, particularly with biodiesel blends up to 20%. Challenges such as high viscosity in pure vegetable oils have been addressed through preheating and blending techniques, enabling compatibility with existing engines..