A polyethylene/acrylic copolymer was synthesized using a grafting technique with benzoyl peroxide as a catalyst and xylene as a solvent. Acrylic acid (AA) was grafted onto polyethylene (PE) in a 1:5 ratio. The resulting grafted copolymer, characterized by FTIR, was blended with rice straw at varying percentages of 3%, 5%, and 7% to produce biodegradable films. The properties of these films in water were evaluated through analyses of viscosity, tensile strength, elongation at break, water contact angle, and solubility. Incorporating rice straw enhanced the grafted copolymer's biodegradability, resulting in increased viscosity, tensile strength, and elongation at break of the films, while reducing the water contact angle and solubility. However, incorporating 7% rice straw in the grafted copolymer-based on PE (1.0%) and AA (5.0%) resulted in increases in viscosity, tensile strength, and elongation at break by 29.5%, 46.1%, and 9.6%, respectively, while reducing the contact angle and biodegradability solubility time at 45°C by 25.8%.

Battery thermal management systems (BTMS) are crucial for ensuring the safety, performance stability, and longevity of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Among various cooling approaches, static single-phase immersion cooling has attracted attention due to its structural simplicity and potential for passive operation without active circulation. This study experimentally evaluates the thermal performance and intercellular temperature uniformity of cylindrical battery modules immersed in three dielectric fluids: deionized water, RT22HC, and mineral oil. A 24-cell battery simulator was subjected to heat loads ranging from 10 to 50 W in three configurations: immersion alone, immersion with finned heat pipes, and immersion with heat pipes combined with forced convection. Performance was assessed using maximum temperature, cooling effectiveness, and the Temperature Uniformity Coefficient (TUC). At 50 W, deionized water achieved the highest cooling effectiveness (34.22%), while RT22HC demonstrated superior temperature uniformity (TUC approximate to 0.010). Dimensionless analysis reveals that deionized water and RT22HC operate in a similar Rayleigh regime (similar to 10(7)), but different Prandtl numbers govern the jet structure and intercellular heat redistribution. These results suggest that the fluid performance hierarchy is controlled by the Rayleigh Prandtl regime, not just individual thermophysical properties. These findings provide a scaling-based physical interpretation of static single-phase immersion cooling and support its potential as a low-complexity BTMS solution for mid-scale EV applications.

Biomass-derived biochar has recently emerged as a promising and sustainable precursor for graphene-like carbon materials due to its high carbon content, thermal stability, and tunable porous structure. During pyrolysis, biomass undergoes thermochemical decomposition that can promote the formation of aromatic carbon networks and partially ordered graphitic domains. However, the relationship between pyrolysis parameters and the structural evolution of biochar toward graphene-like carbon remains fragmented in the current literature. This review systematically synthesizes recent studies on the production of graphene-like carbon from biomass-derived biochar. Relevant publications were identified and screened following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework to ensure a transparent and structured literature selection process. Particular attention is given to the influence of key pyrolysis parameters-including temperature, heating rate, feedstock type, and reactor atmosphere-on carbon structural ordering, pore development, and aromaticity. In addition, widely used characterization techniques such as Raman spectroscopy (ID/IG ratio), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) are discussed to evaluate graphene-like properties in biochar. The reviewed studies indicate that pyrolysis temperature plays a dominant role in promoting aromatization and graphitic domain growth. Overall, controlled pyrolysis conditions are essential for tailoring biomass-derived biochar toward graphene-like carbon structures and enabling the development of sustainable graphene precursors.

Titanium-based perovskites have garnered significant attention for photocatalytic applications, particularly in the field of environmental remediation through the degradation of synthetic dyes and pharmaceuticals in aqueous solutions. This review paper aims to explore the synthesis methods, crystal structures, photoactivity, and photocatalytic performance of titanium-based perovskites in degrading synthetic dye and pharmaceutical effluents in water. The unique advantages of titanium-based perovskites as photocatalysts, associated with their high redox potentials and excellent optical and electrical properties, are highlighted. Their limitations in visible light absorption and photocatalytic efficiency due to rapid charge carrier recombination are also discussed. Several strategies to overcome these limitations, such as surface modifications of the photocatalysts, metal and non-metal doping, the introduction of structure defects, the formation of heterojunctions with electron-accepting materials, and the deposition of plasmonic metal nanoparticles are systematically examined. This review also provides an overview of the photocatalytic degradation of dyes and pharmaceuticals as emerging contaminants, utilizing titanium-based perovskites as photocatalysts, to highlight their efficiency and potential for real-word applications. By covering research findings, current knowledge, and future perspectives, this review aims to stimulate advancements in the design and application of titanium-based perovskite photocatalysts.

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHP) are promising materials for photovoltaic applications. This study proposes a computational candidate-generation framework for discovering new lead-free OIHP compositions, targeting band-gap energy as the primary property, while volume per atom, atomization energy, and density were used as supporting material descriptors. The framework integrates two coupled models: an ANN-based predictor and a CVAE-based generator. The ANN predictor achieved R2 scores of 89%, 93%, 91%, and 93% for band gap energy, volume per atom, atomization energy, and density, respectively. The CVAE generator successfully produced lead-free perovskite candidate compositions with band gap energies ranging from 1.2 eV to 3.6 eV. DFT validation of the generated candidates showed that 10 of 11 compositions (90.9%) had band-gap deviations below 10%, with a mean deviation of 6.40%. The smallest deviation was 2.70% for CH3NH3CaI3, whose predicted band gap was confirmed by DFT calculation.

Biodiesel production from waste lipids using environmentally benign catalysts represents a sustainable strategy for renewable fuel generation. In this study, flower extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle), an industrial crop by-product, was utilized as a green reducing and stabilizing agent for the sol–gel synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The effect of extract concentrations (1, 4, and 8 % w/v) on the physicochemical properties of ZnO and its photocatalytic performance in the transesterification of waste cooking oil was investigated. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of crystalline ZnO NPs, while FTIR analysis verified Zn–O functional groups. FE-SEM and elemental analysis indicated uniform particle morphology with Zn (25–60 %), O (4–15 %), and residual carbon (13–49 %). Gas sorption analysis revealed a mesoporous structure with pore sizes of 2–50 nm and a maximum specific surface area of 19.84 m2 g−1 for the 4 % extract-derived sample. The band gap energies is slightly decreased from 3.18 to 3.14 eV with increasing roselle extract concentration. The optimum photocatalytic transesterification of waste cooking oil was conducted using 0.2 g of ZnO-roselle catalyst, a methanol-to-oil ratio of 12:1, at 60 °C for 2 h under the UV irradiation. The ZnO NPs synthesized with 1 % roselle extract exhibited the highest catalytic activity and achieving a maximum yield of 93.22 %. Finally, the results demonstrate that roselle-mediated ZnO synthesis provides a sustainable ZnO NPs catalyst production and the potential of plant-derived resources for industrial biodiesel applications and biomass valorization in Indonesia.

A shift is underway in how materials, medicines, fuels, and food are produced. Industrial systems centered on extraction, transformation, and combustion have supported modern development, while also being associated with environmental impacts such as emissions and waste. An alternative approach, often described as engineered biology, emphasizes cultivation, fermentation, and synthesis and is viewed as a potential direction, though its impacts remain under evaluation. Synthetic biology, which applies engineering principles to the design and construction of living systems, is increasingly being developed beyond academic laboratories. It is becoming market was valued at approximately USD 19.75 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 56.48 billion by 2031, at a compound annual growth rate of 19.14% (Mordor Intelligence, 2026; Zhang et al., 2025). This trajectory reflects the convergence of several enabling forces: dramatic reductions in the cost of DNA synthesis and sequencing, the proliferation of CRISPR-based genome editing, the rise of AI-guided protein and metabolic pathway design, and the maturation of automated biofoundry infrastructure that can compress the design-build-test-learn cycle from years to weeks.

Growing global freshwater scarcity has intensified demand for efficient seawater desalination technologies, yet conventional cellulose acetate (CA) membranes remain limited by insufficient hydrophilicity and suboptimal salt rejection performance. In this study, CA was combined with graphene oxide (GO) to produce CA/GO composite membranes, and their salt rejection performance in a seawater loose nanofiltration system was reported. These membranes were synthesized via phase inversion by varying GO concentration to be 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt% into CA polymer as matrices at 15 and 25 wt%. The structural, chemical, and morphological properties of raw materials and the membranes were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX), and water contact angle measurements. The results showed that the CA 15 wt%/GO 1 wt% membrane demonstrated the most favorable balance of performance, achieving a water flux of 11.80 L/m²·h and the highest salt rejection of 37.75%, corresponding to a permeate TDS of 23,033 mg/L, alongside the lowest water contact angle of 74.12° among equivalent CA-concentration membranes, indicating enhanced hydrophilicity. The XRD analysis confirmed increased crystallinity (up to 58.08%) with introduction of GO while the FESEM revealed a uniform GO dispersion within the CA polymer matrix. These findings demonstrate that controlled GO incorporation into CA membranes significantly enhances membrane hydrophilicity and salt rejection efficiency, establishing CA/GO composites as a viable and scalable platform for seawater loose nanofiltration applications as pre-treatment.

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHP) are promising materials for photovoltaic applications. This study proposes a computational candidate generation framework for discovering new lead-free OIHP compositions, targeting band gap energy as the primary property, with volume per atom, atomization energy, and density as supporting material descriptors. The framework integrates two coupled models: an ANN-based predictor and a CVAE-based generator. The ANN predictor achieved R² scores of 89%, 93%, 91%, and 93% for band gap energy, volume per atom, atomization energy, and density, respectively. The CVAE generator successfully produced lead-free perovskite candidate compositions with band gap energies ranging from 1.2 eV to 3.6 eV. DFT validation of the generated candidates showed that 10 of 11 compositions (90.9%) had band-gap deviations below 10%, with a mean deviation of 6.40%. The smallest deviation was 2.70% for CH₃NH₃CaI₃, whose predicted band gap was confirmed by DFT calculation.

Thermally treated organic carbon materials offer great potential for optoelectronic and fluorescence-based sensor applications. However, optimizing emission properties through metal doping remains a challenge due to the nonlinear relationship between doping concentration and optical power. This relationship involves complex interactions between intrinsic emission, defect states, and metal-induced states. Furthermore, the spectral overlap of the excitation and emission spectra contributes to energy losses through reabsorption mechanisms, thus reducing system efficiency. In this study, the influence of copper doping on thermally treated citric acid carbon materials was investigated using a Bayesian optimization approach. The parameters analyzed include emission area, overlap integral, and emission efficiency. Spectral deconvolution was used to determine the relative contributions of intrinsic, defect, and metal emission to the total emission. Finally, hybrid surrogate modeling was applied to optimize the doping conditions, taking into account the corresponding parameter trade-offs. The results show that maximum efficiency is not achieved at the highest emission conditions, but rather at intermediate doping concentrations, where the contribution from defect states is dominant and spectral overlap is minimal. Pareto analysis reveals a clear trade-off between increasing emission intensity and minimizing energy loss. Bayesian optimization efficiently identified the optimal conditions with a limited number of experiments and recommended an optimal doping range in the intermediate region. This study demonstrates that a data-driven approach is not only effective in determining the optimal conditions but also provides mechanistic insights into the role of each emission contribution in system performance. This approach has the potential for broad application in the design of carbon-based optical materials.

A pyro-hydrometallurgical method was developed to extract rare earth elements (REEs) from Belitung silica sand, a low-grade and underutilized resource. Roasting at 700 °C effectively reduced the content of major impurities such as Al by 68

Nanocomposites are used as antibacterial agents in the pharmacology sector. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial activity of the transition metal-nanochitosan composites (TM-NCs) using Ni (nickel), Cu (cuprum), Zn (zinc), and Ag (silver) as TM and nanochitosan as the nanomaterial. TM-NCs were synthesized using precipitation method with sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) as a cross-linking agent. The synthesized products were characterized using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) instruments. The metal phase attached to NCs was a metal oxide with irregular particle shapes and various particle sizes. Meanwhile, chitosan and STPP functional groups, namely NH2 and P-O were bound to the metal to form TM-NCs nanocomposite. The test for antibacterial activity against gram-positive (Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 10556) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883) bacterial strains was carried out using the well-diffusion method. The results showed that Ni-NCs antibacterial activity had the largest inhibition zone compared to the other TM-NCs. Furthermore, Ni-NCs presented the largest inhibitory zone diameter (21.74 mm) towards the gram-positive bacterium S. pyogenes.

Chitosan is an important natural biopolymer, having a wide range of pharmaceutical, medical, and biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, nontoxicity, and ability to absorb bioactive compounds. These specific applications require low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) due to its better biodegradability, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and solubility in water when compared to as-prepared high molecular weight chitosan (HMWC) obtained from the deacetylation of chitin. The conventional methods to convert HMWCs to LMWCs include acid depolymerization and direct photolysis upon UV light irradiation. The use of highly concentrated acids unexpectedly modifies the functional groups of chitosan and has raised the environmental concerns. A recently proposed eco-friendly and efficient approach is advanced oxidation processes utilizing reactive oxygen species to destabilize the glycosidic linkages, followed by hydrolysis and scission of chitosan polymer chains. This review summarizes physical, chemical, and biological properties of chitosan, and applications of this biopolymer especially in pharmaceutical formulation, medicine, biomedicine, agriculture, and wastewater treatment, and insights into methodology, mechanism, and advantages of depolymerization of chitosan using acid hydrolysis, direct photolysis, and photocatalysis, as well as their challenges and limitations in terms of environmental concerns, chemical structure conservation, controllability, and toxicity. The challenges in scaling up the photocatalytic depolymerization process is also discussed based on recovery, reusability, and regeneration of the photocatalysts along with a use of specific facet and morphology of photocatalysts, nanometer-sized multi-phase photocatalysts, and proper photoreactor design and parameters optimization in the photocatalytic depolymerization of chitosan in the future.

A novel eco-friendly method was established to synthesize ultra-small silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-decorated chitosan films with strong antibacterial activity. The AgNPs were produced by reducing AgNO3 with glucose derived from sucrose hydrolysis under alkaline conditions (pH similar to 12.06) in a chitosan matrix, yielding spherical particles (similar to 8.6 nm) at an optimal 1:4 Ag+ to sucrose molar ratio. Mixing the resulting Chit-AgNPs colloid with glycerol in equal volumes produced a biodegradable Chit-AgNPs/G1 film with mechanical properties that meet biodegradable plastic standards. Antibacterial tests against B. subtilis and E. coli revealed that the film exhibited markedly higher efficacy than its precursors and was comparable or even superior to standard controls (amoxicillin and betadine). Overall, the Chit-AgNPs/G1 film demonstrates exceptional antibacterial performance, positioning it as one of the most effective chitosan-AgNP composites reported to date.

The photocatalytic degradation of aqueous solutions of cephalexin (CEP) and rifampicin (RIF) antibiotics using strontium titanate nanoparticles (STO NPs) as a photocatalyst activated by 365-nm UV light was investigated. Experimental results demonstrated that the photocatalytic degradation of both antibiotics was efficient and influenced by operational parameters, including photocatalyst dosage, irradiation time, solution pH, initial antibiotic concentration, and the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The kinetics, rate limiting steps, and thermodynamic parameters of the degradation processes were analyzed by fitting the experimental data to the modified Langmuir–Hinshelwood, Weber–Morris intraparticle diffusion, Arrhenius, and Eyring models. The photocatalytic degradation rate constants were estimated to be 0.049 ± 0.005 and 0.012 ± 0.002 min‒1 for CEP and 0.301 ± 0.015 and 0.016 ± 0.002 min‒1 for RIF. The rate limiting steps involved a combination of external mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion onto the surfaces of STO NPs. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the overall degradation reactions were spontaneous, endothermic, and accompanied by an increase in the surface entropy of the photocatalyst. Radical scavenging experiments confirmed that the degradation process is governed by oxidation reactions involving O2·‒ and OH· radicals generated on the photocatalyst surfaces. Based on the chemical structures of the detected intermediates and degradation products, plausible degradation pathways were proposed, involving fragmentation through ring opening, hydroxylation, deamination, decarboxylation, dealkylation, and demethylation. The environmental safety of the degradation products was preliminarily assessed through antibacterial screening tests, which confirmed a reduction in antibacterial activity compared to the parent antibiotics, suggesting a reduced ecological risk.

This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity and antifungal properties of Sm(NO3)3.6H2O salt, chitosan/Sm complex, iron oxide (Fe3O4 NPs), and iron-oxide modified chitosan/Sm/ranitidine microparticles. The microparticles of iron-oxide modified chitosan/Sm/ranitidine composites were synthesized from various masses of Sm(NO3)3.6H2O (250-350 mg), chitosan (2,000-2,500 mg), and (5-25 mg) through the microwave-assisted evaporation method. The Fe3O4 NPs and ranitidine/Sm were mixed with chitosan through a dispersion method by microwave. The toxicity studies of iron-oxide modified chitosan/Sm/ranitidine composites showed 50% lethal concentration in the range from 3,600 to 3,900 mu g/mL on the aquatic crustaceanArtemia salina, suggesting their slight toxicity. Antifungal activities for all samples were determined using the agar diffusion and serial dilution methods. The iron-oxide modified chitosan/Sm/ranitidine composites showed inhibition zone diameter of Aspergillus niger from 18.33 to 14.67 mm at 1,000 mu g/mL. All composites and chitosan/Sm complex showed bioactivity properties with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 2.5 mu g/mL againstA. niger. These composites and chitosan/Sm complex have the same minimum fungicidal concentration, showing the potential to inhibit fungi. Overall results suggested that modifying the structure of chitosan using Sm3+, Fe3O4 NPs, and ranitidine enhanced its physical, chemical, and biological properties as an antifungal agent.

In an era of increasing environmental awareness, the mining industry—often criticized for its significant contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions and other ecological impacts—faces growing pressure to innovate and reform (Dunlap and Laratte, 2022). Nonetheless, despite these obstacles exists a promising option that might revolutionize the business and significantly diminish its environmental impact: the recycling and repurposing of essential resources, especially from electronic waste (Primc et al., 2024; Qing et al., 2022). The escalating demand for critical resources such as lithium and cobalt, propelled by the expanding electric vehicle and renewable energy industries, perpetuates environmental and social issues associated with conventional extraction methods (Dunlap, 2023). The industry, responsible for a large portion of global waste, is scrutinized for its practices that endanger both the climate and local communities. Yet, the shift towards a greener mining approach is marred by accusations of greenwashing, with claims of sustainability often falling short of substantial environmental benefits (Zhang et al., 2023; Zharfpeykan, 2021). The Royal Society of Chemistry promotes a shift towards the recovery of valuable metals from electronic trash to address these challenges (Serpe et al., 2025). This initiative represents a dual opportunity: mitigating the growing problem of e-waste— which saw nearly 57 million tonnes discarded in 2021 alone—and providing a source of critical materials without the extensive damage associated with traditional mining methods (Gulliani et al., 2023). Electronic devices like phones, laptops, and tablets contain valuable materials that, if recycled, could significantly lessen the need for fresh mining operations (Liu et al., 2023).The process, however, is not without its challenges. The recovery of materials from e-waste is complex due to their dispersion in small volumes and intricate designs that complicate disassembly. The solution begins with rethinking product design towards easier disassembly and recycling, ensuring that end-of-life products can be efficiently broken down and their materials recovered (Murthy and Ramakrishna, 2022; Zhang et al., 2022). Furthermore, there is a persuasive argument for enterprises to adopt industrial symbiosis—repurposing waste from one sector as raw material for another. This strategy fosters a circular economy and corresponds with rising consumer and regulatory expectations for sustainable behaviors. This transition necessitates strong coordination among companies and may need the redefinition of intellectual property boundaries to enhance recycling and recovery processes.The emphasis on using secondary materials—those recovered from products at the end of their life cycle—offers a path towards a more sustainable mining industry that reduces environmental impact and dependency on raw material extraction (Ramprasad et al., 2022; Kusrini et al., 2020). Mining, extraction, and production of criticial minerals that involving 41 elements such as rare earth elements (REEs), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni) and others are challenging, and need multi-steps processes (Kusrini et al., 2020). One of example process such as adsorption that reported showed environmentally friendly process, higher efficiency, and lower cost (Kusrini et al., 2018). This strategy is not merely about compliance with environmental standards but about reshaping the industry into a more sustainable and responsible entity. The mining industry's contribution to the worldwide challenges of climate change is unequivocal. Transitioning towards a model that emphasizes recycling and responsible material recovery could prove critical. This approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also ensures a sustainable supply of the metals crucial for the green technologies that underpin our collective move towards a more sustainable future.

This study analyzed the effect of a slow pyrolysis process at a temperature range of 270-360 degrees C using a two-level factorial design. This pyrolysis process is limited to the process that occurs in the pyrolysis reactor, namely the decomposition process of raw materials into char and non-condensable gas. This study evaluated the effect of three process variables: fuel mass flow rate (0.006-0.008 kg/min), feedstock mass (2.5-4 kg), and residence time (120-180 min). The results showed that residence time had the most significant effect on pyrolysis products. Residence time contributes 30.1% to increasing char yield and correspondingly decreases non-condensable gas yield, indicating an inverse relationship. The feedstock mass and fuel mass flow rate show moderate effects, decreasing char yield by 16.1% and 6.2%, respectively, while inversely increasing non-condensable gas yield by the same magnitude. These findings underline the importance of residence time in determining char yield, especially in the slow pyrolysis process. This study also proves that the quantity of raw materials has an influence on char yield, although not as strong as the influence of residence time. The data revealed a clear trend, indicating how adjustments to the pyrolysis process can affect performance. With a longer residence time, it will produce a greater biochar than a non-condensable gas yield. Optimization of pyrolysis products must consider the balance between residence time, fuel heat rate, and mass of raw material load in order to obtain the optimal product as desired.

In recent decades, the worldwide course of technological advancement has been characterized by swift and significant change. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), are transforming economies, societies, and governance frameworks (Naeim et al., 2025; Rajalakshmi and Wahab, 2025; Chan and Lau; 2023; Lomakin et al., 2022). Although these advancements present new opportunities, they also introduce significant problems, especially for developing nations attempting to incorporate technology into their development strategies. Developing nations frequently emerge as late adopters and net importers of technical goods and platforms. This dynamic renders them vulnerable: whereas they gain access to sophisticated tools and systems, they simultaneously face the possibility of prolonged digital dependency (Lambert et al., 2024; Harley, 2022). Technologies are often implemented without adequate localization, adaption, or integration into local innovation ecosystems (Du and Wang, 2024). Consequently, rather than facilitating equitable growth, technologies may exacerbate existing structural imbalances (Talbert-Johnson, 2004). Digital dependency emerges in various forms: reliance on foreign cloud infrastructure, restricted control over national data flows, dependence on proprietary software and hardware, and inadequate local capability for research and development and technology production. These issues are exacerbated by deficiencies in infrastructure (Glukhov et al., 2023), digital literacy (Reddy et al., 2023; Tinmaz et al., 2022; Santoso et al., 2019), cybersecurity preparedness (Neri et al., 2024; Hasan et al., 2021) and regulatory consistency (Avduevskaya et al., 2023; Shawoo et al., 2023; Pyykkö et al., 2021). However, reliance is not unavoidable. History provides instances of nations that have effectively transitioned from technology reliance to innovative leadership. South Korea's Heavy and Chemical Industry initiative in the 1970s and China's current "Made in China" plan both exemplify intentional state-directed endeavors to localize manufacturing, stimulate domestic innovation, and establish globally competitive industries (Whulanza et al., 2025). Currently, some emerging countries are exploring similar pathways. In Africa, initiatives like Rwanda's investment in local technology hubs and Kenya's advancement of mobile payment systems illustrate how local innovation may flourish in conducive environments (Ndubuisi et al., 2021). Governments in Asia and Latin America are implementing policies that emphasize open-source technologies, support domestic startups, enhance STEM education, and promote public-private partnership (Banga, 2022) Nonetheless, such endeavours necessitate more than good intention. They require continuous investments in human capital, infrastructure, and institutional capability. The establishment of comprehensive, forward-thinking, and robust policy frameworks is equally crucial. This entails not just endorsing local industries but also cultivating global relationships that respect local goals and circumvent trends of economic post-imperialism in technical transfer (Lu and Qiu, 2023; Hairong and Sautman, 2023). Research on digital sovereignty, innovation systems, and technology policy can provide practical methods for countries aiming to address the intricacies of globalization and technological transformation (Moeis et al., 2024; Tan et al., 2023; Mariani et al., 2023). Similarly, interdisciplinary and interregional collaborations might elucidate how varied environments affect the efficacy or ineffectiveness of such initiatives (Whulanza, 2023). There is an urgent necessity for a more equal framework of international technology partnership (Ezdina et al., 2024). Developing nations require the opportunity and assistance to build their own innovation ecosystems (Sayed and Agndal, 2022; Stahl, 2022). This necessitates a paradigm shift—from perceiving these nations solely as marketplaces for technical goods to acknowledging them as viable hubs of invention and production in their own right. This issue consolidates several perspectives that directly address these subjects. Through analysis of national innovation systems, case studies of successful localization initiatives, and critical evaluations of global governance frameworks (Babkin et al., 2023; Zagloel et al., 2023; Ramakrishna et al., 2023). The articles presented provide valuable insights for individuals interested in the future of technology in developing contexts.