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Summary: The remarkable explosion of wireless devices and bandwidth-consuming Internet applications has boosted the demand for wireless communications with ultra-high data rates. The wireless traffic volume is foreseen to match or even surpass the wired services by 2030, and high-precision wireless services will need to be guaranteed with a peak data rate of well beyond 100 Gbit/s, eventually reaching 1 Tbit/s. To meet the exponentially increasing traffic demand, new regions in the radio spectrum are being explored. The terahertz band, which is sandwiched between microwave frequencies and optical frequencies, is considered the next breakthrough point to revolutionize communication technology due to its rich spectrum resources. It is recognized as a promising candidate for future rate-greedy applications, such as 6G communications. At the World Radio Communication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), it was announced that the identification of frequency bands in the frequency range of 275 GHz-450 GHz is permitted for land-mobile and fixed service applications, indicating potential standardization of the low-frequency window of terahertz band for near-future wireless communications. Motivated by the potential of terahertz wireless communications, this reprint reports on recent critical technological breakthroughs in terms of broadband terahertz devices and communications, as well as novel technologies at other frequency bands that can also motivate terahertz research.

Summary: Artificial Intelligence (incl. Robotics); Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery; Information Systems Applications (incl. Internet); User Interfaces and Human Computer Interaction; Pattern Recognition; Computer Communication Networks

Summary: In recent years, we have been witnessing the exponential proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), networks of physical devices, vehicles, appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators and connectivity that enables these objects to connect and exchange data. Enabling the introduction of highly efficient IoT, wireless sensing and network technologies will reduce the need for traditional processes that are currently be carried out manually, thus freeing up the precious resources of dwindling working staff, to do more meaningful and human-centered work. This reprint aims to bring together innovative developments in areas related to IoT, wireless sensing and networking. The aspects covered include software-defined network (SDN)-based IoT networks, artificial intelligence (AI) for IoT, industrial IoT, smart sensors, optimization of energy efficiency for IoT, and wireless sensor networks, IoT applications for agriculture, smart cities, healthcare, localization and environment monitoring.

Summary: Environmental Science and Engineering; Water Policy/Water Governance/Water Management; Geoecology/Natural Processes

Summary: 5G traffic has very diverse requirements with respect to data rate, delay, and reliability. The concept of using multiple OFDM numerologies adopted in the 5G NR standard will likely meet these multiple requirements to some extent. However, the traffic is radically accruing different characteristics and requirements when compared with the initial stage of 5G, which focused mainly on high-speed multimedia data applications. For instance, applications such as vehicular communications and robotics control require a highly reliable and ultra-low delay. In addition, various emerging M2M applications have sparse traffic with a small amount of data to be delivered. The state-of-the-art OFDM technique has some limitations when addressing the aforementioned requirements at the same time. Meanwhile, numerous waveform alternatives, such as FBMC, GFDM, and UFMC, have been explored. They also have their own pros and cons due to their intrinsic waveform properties. Hence, it is the opportune moment to come up with modification/variations/combinations to the aforementioned techniques or a new waveform design for 5G systems and beyond. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide the latest research and advances in the field of waveform design for 5G systems and beyond.

Summary: In this new book, we present a collection of the advanced developments in reconfigurable antennas and metasurfaces. It begins with a review of reconfigurability technologies, and proceeds to the presentation of a series of reconfigurable antennas, UWB MIMO antennas and reconfigurable arrays. Then, reconfigurable metasurfaces are introduced and the latest advances are presented and discussed.

Summary: The DC/AC microgrid system is a crucial empowering technology for the integration of various types of renewable energy sources (RES) accompanied by a smart control approach to enhance the system reliability and efficiency. This book presents cutting-edge technology developments and recent investigations performed with the help of power electronics. Large-scale renewable energy integration presents challenges and issues for power grids. In particular, these issues include microgrid adaption to RES, AC machines, the new configuration of AC/DC converters, and electrification of domestic needs with optimal cost expenses from domestic standalone microgrids. Furthermore, this book elaborates cutting-edge developments in electric vehicle fast charging configuration, battery management, and control schemes with renewable energies through hardware-in-loop testing and validation for performance durability in real-time application. Overall, the book covers the diverse field of microgrids, allowing readers to adopt new technologies and prepare for future power demands with sustainable green engineering.

Summary: Metal‒insulator transitions (MITs) constitute a core subject of fundamental condensed matter research. The localization of conduction electrons occurs in a large variety of materials and engenders intriguing quantum phenomena such as unconventional superconductivity and exotic magnetism. Nearby an MIT, minuscule changes of the interaction strength via chemical substitution, doping, physical pressure, or even disorder can trigger spectacular resistivity changes from zero in a superconductor to infinity in an insulator near T = 0. While approaching an insulating state from the conducting side, deviations from Fermi-liquid transport in bad and strange metals are the rule rather than the exception. As the drosophila of electron‒electron interactions, the Mott MIT receives particular attention from theory as it can be studied using the Hubbard model. On the experimental side, organic charge-transfer salts and transition metal oxides are versatile platforms for working toward solving the puzzles of correlated electron systems. This Special Issue provides a view into the ongoing research endeavors investigating emergent phenomena around MITs.

Summary: In recent years, power electronics have been intensely contributing to the development and evolution of new structures for the processing of energy. They can be used in a wide range of applications ranging from power systems and electrical machines to electric vehicles and robot arm drives. In conjunction with the evolution of microprocessors and advanced control theories, power electronics are playing an increasingly essential role in our society. Thus, in order to cope with the obstacles lying ahead, this book presents a collection of original studies and modeling methods which were developed and published in the field of electrical energy conditioning and control by using circuits and electronic devices, with an emphasis on power applications and industrial control. Researchers have contributed 19 selected and peer-reviewed papers covering a wide range of topics by addressing a wide variety of themes, such as motor drives, AC-DC and DC-DC converters, multilevel converters, varistors, and electromagnetic compatibility, among others. The overall result is a book that represents a cohesive collection of inter-/multidisciplinary works regarding the industrial applications of power electronics.

Summary: Business Information Systems; Software Engineering; Software Management; Management of Computing and Information Systems

Summary: In the domain of electronic navigation, satellite navigation (GNSS) is one of the most important complex modern systems. GNSS is a key aspect of infrastructure which supports the development and improvement of power grid systems, banking operations, global transportation systems, and global communication systems. Today, GNSS requires the use of several positioning networks and sensors, such as radio networks and MEMS. The Earth's atmosphere, particularly the ionosphere and troposphere, can be seen as a huge laboratory where multiple processes and phenomena directly affecting the propagation of EM waves occur. Like all complex systems, GNSS technology has also gone through certain evolutionary stages. Factors affecting the future evolution of GNSS technology include the appearance of new signals and frequencies, complementary technologies in use, etc., but in the domain of GNSS technologies, it is essential to study the impact of space weather on GNSS systems. A key part of research related to GNSS technologies is the vertical TEC distribution and anomalies related to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on Earth. There are many challenges that need to be addressed because they affect reliability, accuracy, and all other essential parameters of GNSS systems. It addresses some of these issues by publishing manuscripts which study GNSS risk assessment, different effects of space weather disturbances on the operation of GNSS systems, environmental impacts on the operation of GNSS systems, GNSS positioning error budgets, TEC special features in volcano eruptions, and similar topics.

Summary: Emerging Markets/Globalization; Innovation/Technology Management; Business Strategy/Leadership; International Economics; Operations Management

Summary: Semiconductor lasers are carriers of both energy for industry and information for optical communications. The recent progress in research on semiconductor lasers has offered new perspectives regarding both their material growth and structural design. Most of the papers are review papers that briefly overview different types of semiconductors. Some of the papers include the newest research results. We all hope that this Special Issue can shed light on recent advances in the field of semiconductor lasers and their applications so that most of the readers' concerns about semiconductor lasers can be addressed and a conversation can be initiated.

Summary: This book entitled "Feature Papers in Electronic Materials Section" is a collection of selected papers recently published on the journal Materials, focusing on the latest advances in electronic materials and devices in different fields (e.g., power- and high-frequency electronics, optoelectronic devices, detectors, etc.). In the first part of the book, many articles are dedicated to wide band gap semiconductors (e.g., SiC, GaN, Ga2O3, diamond), focusing on the current relevant materials and devices technology issues. The second part of the book is a miscellaneous of other electronics materials for various applications, including two-dimensional materials for optoelectronic and high-frequency devices. Finally, some recent advances in materials and flexible sensors for bioelectronics and medical applications are presented at the end of the book.

Summary: This Special Issue summarizes, in a single reference, timely emerging topics related to power electronics for sustainable energy conversion. Furthermore, at the same time, it provides the reader with valuable information related to open research opportunity niches.

Summary: The growing population is forcing us to look for new, more effective solutions to various problems. The rising demand for power, water supply and waste management, pedestrian safety, the efficient use of electric vehicles, traffic jams, commuting, the identification of all road users and prediction of their travel paths, and increasing air and noise levels are the most pressing issues in today's cities. Advance planning is a feature of green development that reduces dependence on vehicles associated with an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The development of eco-friendly cities includes the development and application of new efficient solutions and technologies, such as efficient transport management, emission control and pollution control, energy efficiency and the usage of renewable energy, resource efficiency, etc., which would ensure a better quality of life of the growing population.

Summary: Antiferromagnetic spintronics is an emerging topic in spintronics that is attracting interest due to its wide range of advantages, including terahertz operation, memory without stray fields, and highly efficient spin generation. The discussion of this topic covers aspects ranging from the development of new antiferromagnetic materials to the applications of these materials in devices. Traditionally, antiferromagnets were treated as less common magnetic materials for fundamental studies and applications. However, recent miniaturisation and high-frequency operation have revealed that they are advantageous over conventional ferromagnets. This Special Issue reviews the current status and future perspectives of antiferromagnetic spintronics.

Summary: Computational Science and Engineering; Biomedicine general; Computer Imaging, Vision, Pattern Recognition and Graphics