A fresh interest has been accorded to metal iodides due to their fascinating physicochemical properties such as high ionic conductivity, variable optical properties, and high thermal stabilities in making micro and macro devices. Breakthroughs in cathodic preparation and metallization of metal iodides revealed new opportunities for using these compounds in various fields, especially in energy conversion and materials with luminescent and sensory properties. In energy storage metal iodides are being looked at due to their potential to enhance battery performance, in optoelectronics the property of the metal iodides is available to create efficient LEDs and solar cells. Further, their application in sensing devices, especially in environmental and medical monitoring has been quite mentioned due to their response towards environmental changes such as heat or light. Nevertheless, some challenges are still in question, including material stability, scale-up opportunities, and compatibility with other technologies. This work highlights the groundbreaking potential of metal iodide-based nanomaterials, emphasizing their transformative role in innovation and their promise for future advancements.

This review focuses on ferrites, which are gaining popularity with their unique properties like high electrical resistivity, thermal stability, and chemical stability, making them suitable for versatile applications both in industry and in biomedicine. This review is highly indicative of the importance of synthesis technique in order to control ferrite properties and, consequently, their specific applications. While synthesizing the materials with consideration of certain properties that help in certain methods of preparation using polyol route, green synthesis, sol-gel combustion, or other wise to tailor make certain properties shown by ferrites, this study also covers biomedical applications of ferrites, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), drug delivery systems, cancer hyperthermia therapy, and antimicrobial agents. This was able to inhibit the growth of all tested Gram-negative and positive bacteria as compared with pure ferrite nanoparticles without Co, Mn or Zn doping. In addition, ferrites possess the ability to be used in environmental remediation; such as treatment of wastewater which makes them useful for high-surface-area and adsorption capacity due heavy metals and organic pollutants. A critical analysis of functionalization strategies and possible applications are presented in this work to emphasize the capability of nanoferrites as an aid for the advancement both biomedical technology and environmental sustainability due to their versatile properties combined with a simple, cost effective synthetic methodology.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers, promoting sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil fertility, reducing pathogens, and aiding in stress resistance. In agriculture, they play a crucial role in plant growth promotion through the production of agroactive compounds and extracellular enzymes to promote plant health and protection against phytopathogens. In the rhizosphere, diverse microbial interactions, including those with bacteria and fungi, influence plant health by production of antimicrobial compounds. The antagonism displayed by rhizobacteria plays a crucial role in shaping microbial communities and has potential applications in developing a natural and environmentally friendly approach to pest control. The rhizospheric microbes showcase their ecological importance and potential for biotechnological applications in the context of plant-microbe interactions. The extracellular enzymes produced by rhizospheric microbes like amylases, chitinases, glucanases, cellulases, proteases, and ACC deaminase contribute to plant processes and stress response emphasizing their importance in sustainable agriculture. Moreover, this review highlights the new paradigm including artificial intelligence (AI) in sustainable horticulture and agriculture as a harmonious interaction between ecological networks for promoting soil health and microbial diversity that leads to a more robust and self-regulating agricultural system for protecting the environment in the future. Overall, this review emphasizes microbial interactions and the role of rhizospheric microbial extracellular enzymes which is crucial for developing eco-friendly approaches to enhance crop production and soil health.

This contribution aims to appraise, analyze and evaluate the literature relating to the interaction of electromagnetic fields (EMF) with matter and the resulting thermal effects. This relates to the wanted thermal effects via the application of fields as well as those uninvited resulting from exposure to the field. In the paper, the most popular EMF heating technologies are analyzed. This involves on the one hand high frequency induction heating (HFIH) and on the other hand microwave heating (MWH), including microwave ovens and hyperthermia medical treatment. Then, the problem of EMF exposure is examined and the resulting biological thermal effects are illuminated. Thus, the two most common cases of wireless EMF devices, namely digital communication tools and inductive power transfer appliances are analyzed and evaluated. The last part of the paper concerns the determination of the different thermal effects, which are studied and discussed, by considering the governing EMF and heat transfer (or bio heat) equations and their solution methodologies.

This paper reviews the emerging potential of mid-tier transit, articulating how a complex set of established and new factors could contribute both to better transit outcomes and the associated urban regeneration around station precincts. The analysis is based on two structured literature reviews, supported by insights from the authors’ original research. The first provides an overview of the established and new rationale for mid-tier technologies such as the established Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as well as the new Trackless Tram Systems (TTS). The established role for mid-tier transit is now being given extra reasons for it to be a major focus of urban infrastructure especially due to the need for net zero cities. The second review, is a detailed consideration of established and new factors that can potentially improve patronage on mid-tier transit. The established factors of urban precinct design like stop amenities and improved accessibility and density around stations, are combined with new smart technology systems like advanced intelligent transport systems and real-time transport information for travellers, as well as new transport technologies such as micro-mobility and Mobility on Demand. Also explored are new processes with funding and development models that properly leverage land value capture, public private partnerships, and other entrepreneurial development approaches that are still largely not mainstreamed. All were found to potentially work, especially if done together, to help cities move into greater mid-tier transit.