In recent decades, the ad hoc network for vehicles has been a core network technology to provide comfort and security to drivers in vehicle environments. However, emerging applications and services require major changes in underlying network models and computing that require new road network planning. Meanwhile, blockchain widely known as one of the disruptive technologies has emerged in recent years, is experiencing rapid development and has the potential to revolutionize intelligent transport systems. Blockchain can be used to build an intelligent, secure, distributed and autonomous transport system. It allows better utilization of the infrastructure and resources of intelligent transport systems, particularly effective for crowdsourcing technology. In this paper, we proposes a vehicle network architecture based on blockchain in the smart city (Block-VN). Block-VN is a reliable and secure architecture that operates in a distributed way to build the new distributed transport management system. We are considering a new network system of vehicles, Block-VN, above them. In addition, we examine how the network of vehicles evolves with paradigms focused on networking and vehicular information. Finally, we discuss service scenarios and design principles for Block-VN.
Jesús Anselmo Fortoul-Díaz, Luis Antonio Carrillo-Martinez, Javier Cuatepotzo-Hernández
et al.
Integrating emerging Industry 4.0 technologies into smart factories has been widely discussed, particularly challenges regarding the practical use of a blockchain; one remaining challenge is the role of a blockchain beyond logistics and traceability, as well as its ability to support explicit trust measurement in real industrial environments. Existing studies often treat trust as a conceptual or cloud-oriented construction, without linking it to measurable production events. This study proposes a blockchain service-level agreement (SLA) to measure trust at an open-source frugal smart factory (SF). Trust is defined as a dynamic quantitative score derived from measurable process events, including estimated and response times, assembly correctness, and transaction outcomes; all of this is calculated through a smart contract implemented on a blockchain network. The approach is implemented in a tangram puzzle assembly process that integrates cyber-physical systems, edge computing, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, cybersecurity, and the blockchain within a unified SF architecture. The framework was experimentally validated across four representative assembly scenarios: (i) the SF delivered the puzzle in time and was correctly assembled (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>λ</mi><mi>s</mi></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> = 0.1734), (ii) the puzzle was completed within tolerance time (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>λ</mi><mi>s</mi></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> = 0.0649), (iii) the puzzle was delivered on time and was incorrectly assembled (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>λ</mi><mi>s</mi></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> = 0.0005), and (iv) the puzzle was completed outside the tolerance time and was correctly assembled (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>λ</mi><mi>s</mi></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> = 4.91 × <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mn>10</mn><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>5</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>); demonstrating that the model accurately estimates expected assembly times and updates trust without manual intervention during a physical manufacturing task, addressing the limitations of prior conceptual and cloud-based approaches. The main research contributions include an operational SLA-based trust model, the demonstration of the feasibility of applying blockchain-based SLAs in a physical SF environment, and evidence that a blockchain can be justified as a mechanism for managing and measuring trust in SF, rather than solely for traceability or logistics.
This paper provides a comprehensive overview of mobile network softwarization, emphasizing the technological foundations and its transformative impact on the energy efficiency of modern and future mobile networks. In the paper, a detailed analysis of communication concepts known as software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) is presented, with a description of their architectural principles, operational mechanisms, and the associated interfaces and management frameworks that enable programmability, virtualization, and centralized control in modern mobile networks. The study further explores the role of cloud computing, virtualization platforms, distributed SDN controllers, and resource orchestration systems, outlining how they collectively support mobile network scalability, automation, and service agility. To assess the maturity and evolution of mobile network softwarization, the paper reviews contemporary research directions, including SDN security, machine-learning-assisted traffic management, dynamic service function chaining, virtual network function (VNF) placement and migration, blockchain-based trust mechanisms, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled self-optimization. The analysis also evaluates the relationship between mobile network softwarization and energy consumption, presenting the main SDN- and NFV-based techniques that contribute to reducing mobile network power usage, such as traffic-aware control, rule placement optimization, end-host-aware strategies, VNF consolidation, and dynamic resource scaling. Findings indicate that although fifth-generation (5G) mobile network standalone deployments capable of fully exploiting softwarization remain limited, softwarized SDN/NFV-based architectures provide measurable benefits in reducing network operational costs and improving energy efficiency, especially when combined with AI-driven automation. The paper concludes that mobile network softwarization represents an essential enabler for sustainable 5G and future beyond-5G systems, while highlighting the need for continued research into scalable automation, interoperable architectures, and energy-efficient softwarized network designs.
This thesis introduces Nexa, a blockchain architecture designed to balance the critical trade-offs between security, scalability, and decentralization in Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. To address the blockchain trilemma (RQ1), Nexa strategically combines Avalanche's high-performance public blockchain with decentralized IPFS storage, optimizing for the high throughput and low finality required in healthcare. To mitigate risks from centralized key management (RQ2), Nexa implements a distributed threshold cryptography scheme using Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH), ChaCha20-Poly1305, and Shamir’s Secret Sharing (SSS). This design leverages smart contract-based access control and oracle-assisted decryption to enhance security without a central point of failure. Performance benchmarks on the Avalanche testnet, using synthetic datasets, validate this balanced approach, demonstrating efficient operation latencies and minimal costs suitable for clinical workflows while ensuring patient control.
Alexander Grünewald, Patrick Stuckmann-Blumenstein, Patrick Keitzl
et al.
Additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing have seen significant progress in the industry in recent years and have become an integral part of Industry 4.0. This fourth industrial revolution is characterized by the increasing networking and automation of production systems and the use of large amounts of data. In this context, distributed ledger technologies (DLT), which include blockchain technology, offer promising opportunities to change production fundamentally. Production processes can be more secure and efficient by creating trust and transparency in data storage and eliminating dependence on centralized instances. However, the full potential of blockchain technology is often not realized due to the perceived complexity of its implementation. Overcoming this skepticism requires a better understanding of the application possibilities and, more importantly, successful practical examples demonstrating blockchain technology’s transformative power in the industry. This study explores how blockchain can be effectively integrated into additive manufacturing processes and offers a structured overview of existing blockchain-based business models within this domain. Hence, a systematic literature interview, Crunchbase review, and Workshop are performed to examine specific use cases of blockchain in additive manufacturing and analyze how these technologies interact with existing business models. In order to provide an overview of existing blockchain-based business models in the context of additive manufacturing, a taxonomy is developed in the underlying paper to identify characteristic features. The taxonomy is further demonstrated along different existing business models.
IntroductionThis study investigates how enterprise departments influence blockchain adoption.MethodsIt applies Isomorphism Theory and AHP using data from 156 professionals across 10 countries.ResultsFinance had the most influence, followed by Marketing, Production, HRM, and Purchasing.DiscussionInternal hierarchies and institutional pressures shape strategic adoption of blockchain.
Integrating sustainability into supply chain management is both a challenge and a strategic necessity. This review aims to bridge the gap in the literature by examining how Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies can advance sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). By systematically analyzing 231 studies, this paper identifies major technological barriers, including eco-efficiency deficits, data privacy concerns, and compatibility issues, that hinder SSCM adoption. It systematically explores six key I4.0 technologies—Blockchain, Big Data Analytics, IoT, Additive Manufacturing, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Cloud Computing—demonstrating their capabilities to overcome these challenges and achieve sustainable outcomes. Furthermore, this review highlights critical research gaps and proposes a detailed roadmap for future exploration, emphasizing the development of integration frameworks, advanced data management, and the exploration of emerging technologies like AI and augmented reality. By offering a strategic framework on I4.0′s potential to drive sustainable practices, this study provides actionable insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to leverage I4.0 technologies for sustainable innovation.
Systems engineering, Marketing. Distribution of products
The metaverse is a virtual ecosystem formed by the combination of innovative technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and blockchain, which are reshaping global trade, consumption patterns and cross-sector collaboration. This ecosystem offers a new economic structure that combines the physical and digital worlds with elements such as the appreciation of digital assets, the proliferation of NFTs and the integration of decentralised finance (DeFi) applications. This new economic structure is the subject of interest and research both in the business world and in the academic world. In this study, the data obtained from the Scopus database covering the period between 2018-2024 were analysed by bibliometric analysis method. The institutions, countries, cited studies and keyword links that produced the most works were evaluated in detail. The key findings of this study indicate that research on the metaverse economy has experienced exponential growth, with significant contributions from the United Kingdom, China, and the United States. Additionally, performance analysis reveals that blockchain, metaverse, NFT, and digital transformation are the most frequently explored topics in the academic literature.
Abstract In the era of big data, organizations face critical decisions when selecting between data lakes and data warehouses to meet their analytics requirements. This article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of these two predominant data management architectures, emphasizing their structural differences, functional capabilities, and suitability for diverse analytics workloads. Data lakes offer scalable, cost-effective storage for raw, unstructured, and semi-structured data, supporting advanced analytics and machine learning applications. In contrast, data warehouses provide optimized, schema-on-write frameworks for fast querying and reliable reporting on structured data. Through detailed examination of architectural designs, integration with big data tools including Hadoop, Spark, and Kafka, and evaluations based on performance, scalability, cost, and governance, this paper provides organizations with evidence-based guidance to align their data strategies with business objectives. Case studies from healthcare and retail sectors illustrate practical implications of each approach, while emerging trends such as lakehouse architectures, AI integration, blockchain security, edge computing, and quantum computing highlight future directions. The findings support for a hybrid data management solution that leverages the strengths of both data lakes and warehouses to enable robust, scalable, and innovative big data analytics.
Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering, Information technology
Urban waste management represent a strategic policy domain requiring technologically driven interventions and multi-stakeholder engagement, partciulary in metropolitan areas such as Surabaya City. This study aims to formulate policy recommendations for the devolepment of an efficient and adaptive waste management system through the integration of intelegent digital technologies. Employin an exploratory qualitative approach, this research synthesizes SWOT, PESTEl, and stakeholder analyses to identify key internal and external determinats affecting the efficacy of waste governance policies. The findings indicate that, despite intitusional strengths such as a smart city vision and adequate techological infrastructure, the implementation remains hindered by centralized decision making patterns and the limited integration of green technologies. Accordingly, this study proporse a waste management system model anchored in the Internet of Things (IoT), manchine leraning, and blockchain as a framework for digital policy transformation. These recommendations are operationalized into eight strategic action plans aimed at an enhancing systemic efficiency, stakeholder participation, and accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particulary in the domains of environmental governance and sustainable urban management.
Securing the reintegration of outlier nodes in dynamic UAV networks is challenging. This challenge arises from the lack of time-sensitive access control in existing key management schemes. We propose the Salted Temporal Key scheme (STK), which combines blockchain-based dynamic key management with temporal validation. This work addresses the absence of a time-sensitive admission policy by coupling reintegration cost to a UAV’s verifiable disconnection time: short-term outliers reintegrate quickly, while long-duration, high-risk outliers face increasing barriers. STK binds reintegration difficulty to the block-broadcast interval <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mi>τ</mi></semantics></math></inline-formula>, making reintegration a computational challenge proportional to the number of missed consensus cycles. Experiments on swarms with 50–100 nodes show that STK efficiently manages reintegration latency, providing scalable and adaptable security for decentralized UAV networks. The results demonstrate that by adjusting <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mi>τ</mi></semantics></math></inline-formula>, operators can isolate UAVs with excessive delays and ensure reliable swarm communication. STK offers a flexible, non-interactive solution, significantly enhancing security and scalability for UAV swarm reintegration in diverse environments.
Annika Aebli, Fabienne Silberstein-Bamford, Joshua S. Bamford
Cryptocurrency technologies have spawned a vast network of millions of users. One notable aspect of crypto spaces is the emergence of vibrant communities that form around specific projects, with supporters gathering on interactive online platforms and demonstrating a strong sense of collective identity. Despite its pseudonymous and “trustless” nature, crypto has become an instrument for establishing social ties that seem remarkably robust. However, the factors that influence establishing social bonds in highly dispersed, pseudonymous crypto spaces with minimal in-person interaction have remained largely unexplored so far. Using a mixed-method approach, this study examines the factors that shape community formation in the crypto space. In an initial step, based on 26 semi-structured, qualitative interviews, we explore factors that may influence group formation in crypto spaces. In a second step, we develop a quantitative questionnaire using items generated from these interviews to measure the effect of the identified factors on group formation, using a sample of 111 crypto users. Group formation is operationalised as an identity fusion scale, reflecting the tendency for individuals to merge their sense of self with that of a social group to which they belong. The results show that social reward, a promising outlook, and participant’s investment level predict identity fusion with crypto communities. This study contributes to the understanding of social bonding processes in pseudonymous crypto spaces.
Abstract The focus of this review article is on the societal problems and end user acceptance of blockchain technology. The paper begins by outlining the importance of blockchain in modernizing trust and data management systems and highlighting its rapid spread across numerous industries. In‐depth analysis of the adoption‐influencing aspects is done, which also lists the advantages and typical end‐user problems. It examines the privacy implications, restrictions on pseudonymity, and function of technologies that improve privacy, such as zero‐knowledge proofs, while also exploring the legal and regulatory environment around blockchain, putting a focus on digital identity, intellectual property, and data ownership. It also evaluates blockchain security features, such as flaws and risks associated with smart contracts, discusses best practices for boosting security, discusses the societal effects of blockchain, and makes suggestions for legislators, companies, and scholars. The use of blockchain technology and its effects on privacy, rights, and security are discussed in real‐world case studies as well.
Abstract This paper discusses the emergence of blockchain technology in the energy sector in the light of ongoing energy market transformation. The study builds on literature research and expert interviews, and provides insights into the future energy landscape in the context of the blockchain advent. While the interviewees acknowledge the great, though disruptive, potential of blockchain technology for the primary activities in the electricity sector, there is agreement that inflexible regulatory frameworks impose the biggest challenge. The widest impact which blockchain technology will have in the short-term will be in electric vehicle integration, while in the long-term blockchain will enable peer-to-peer microgrids. The role that the blockchain will play, though, relies mainly on the business model innovation in energy. While a growing body of literature discusses specific blockchain applications and solutions in an advanced technological set-up, this paper presents a holistic picture of the blockchain applicability in the energy sector and thematises this very powerful and versatile technology against the background of two emerging economies: South Africa and Russia.