Smart Materials

Advances in Sustainable Technologies

Sustainable technologies have come a long way in the past few decades, driven by environmental awareness and the rising costs of fossil fuels. The development of the industry and the intensive agriculture, which was necessary to supply food to an increasing global population, have caused a very serious damage to the environment in terms of starting to run out of resources and pollution. Among the environmental problems, pollution of water and soils and waste disposal are one of the most important. In this context, efforts in research and innovation have to lead toward a green economy through the development of new and sustainable technologies in the production process to achieve water efficiency, waste reuse, and reduction of pollutants in order to protect soil and water quality and to ensure the sustainable manage of resources.