Results in EngineeringPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108324
Maryiam Javed , N. Ibrahim , N. Imran , Lemessa Asefa Eressa
{"title":"Magnetorheology of Carreau–Yasuda fluid driven by ciliary–flagellar mechanisms in curved porous media: Applications in drug delivery and biomedical microfluidics","authors":"Maryiam Javed , N. Ibrahim , N. Imran , Lemessa Asefa Eressa","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108324","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108324","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the peristaltic transport of a Carreau–Yasuda non-Newtonian fluid through a curved porous channel with ciliated walls under the influence of a radial magnetic field. The mathematical formulation is developed in a curvilinear coordinate system to accurately capture the channel’s geometry, while cilia-driven wall motion is represented by a composite waveform of primary and secondary sinusoidal components. The governing equations, incorporating electromagnetic effects via Maxwell’s equations and Ohm’s law together with the Darcy–Brinkman model for porous resistance, are simplified under the assumptions of long wavelength and creeping flow. The resulting fourth-order nonlinear differential equations are solved numerically using MATLAB’s bvp4c solver. The computational results demonstrate that increasing the power-law index and viscosity parameter enhances the pressure gradient while suppressing velocity, whereas higher Weissenberg and Darcy numbers lower flow resistance and reduce pressure rise. The Hartmann number induces magnetic damping, decreasing velocity and elevating pumping pressure. Streamline analysis further reveals the formation of pronounced trapping zones that intensify with increasing elasticity and curvature. These findings provide important insights into the magnetorheological control of non-Newtonian biofluids and have direct implications for biomedical applications such as targeted drug delivery, artificial cilia-based microfluidic pumping, and the design of smart biomedical devices operating in porous and curved environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 108324"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Results in EngineeringPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-11DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109564
Mohammed Ismael
{"title":"Recent developments of hydrogen and oxygen evolution electrocatalysts in proton electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWE)","authors":"Mohammed Ismael","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109564","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109564","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrogen is a clean, carbon-free fuel with high energy content and the potential to replace fossil fuels in the future. Among current hydrogen production methods, proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) stands out for its ability to efficiently convert renewable electricity into high-purity green hydrogen. The reproducibility of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is strongly governed by the choice of electrocatalysts. Currently, noble metal–based catalysts are predominantly employed for both half-reactions of water splitting in PEMWE systems. However, their high cost and limited availability significantly impede large-scale implementation. Consequently, alternative catalyst materials have attracted considerable attention as potential replacements for noble metals, owing to their low cost, environmental compatibility, high electrical conductivity, and electrocatalytic performance comparable to that of noble metals, particularly under alkaline conditions. This review summarizes hydrogen production pathways, fundamental principles, and recent progress in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). The kinetics and thermodynamics of PEMWE are discussed, followed by an overview of recent advances in noble metal–based and noble metal–free electrocatalysts for the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER). Particular attention is given to emerging catalysts with promising activity, including single-atom catalysts, Prussian blue analogues, and high-entropy alloy catalysts. Finally, future research directions for catalyst development are proposed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 109564"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147394379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Results in EngineeringPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-13DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109583
Alireza Safari Tarbozagh, Saeed Mohammadzadeh, Morteza Esmaeili, Sina Nadermohammady
{"title":"Railway track geometry degradation: A review of prediction methods","authors":"Alireza Safari Tarbozagh, Saeed Mohammadzadeh, Morteza Esmaeili, Sina Nadermohammady","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109583","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109583","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maintaining track geometry within tolerance is essential for safe, efficient, and economical railway operations. This review—framed around both aggregate degradation trends and isolated defects—synthesizes five modeling families (empirical, mechanistic, statistical, probabilistic, and machine learning) and evaluates them against five criteria: predictive accuracy, uncertainty quantification, network-scale scalability, interpretability, and computational cost. Empirical and mechanistic models offer transparent, physics-based insights at low computational cost, yet typically lack dynamic train–track interaction modeling and explicit uncertainty estimates. Statistical and probabilistic approaches (stochastic processes, Markov chains, Bayesian inference) support long-term planning and maintenance scheduling but require extensive high-quality data and careful calibration. Machine-learning methods—particularly random forests and convolutional neural network–long short-term memory hybrids—achieve high accuracy on complex spatio-temporal patterns; however, they depend on European Standard EN 13848-1/-5–compliant preprocessing, well-labeled datasets, and dedicated interpretability measures. A persistent cross-cutting gap is the under-detection of isolated defects, driven by label scarcity and the smoothing inherent in section-level indices (e.g., track quality index/standard deviation). Priority directions include: (i) low-computational-cost hybrid frameworks via knowledge distillation and quantization for network-wide deployment; (ii) multivariate Bayesian and point-process models to jointly represent standard deviation of longitudinal level/standard deviation of horizontal alignment and localized jumps; (iii) internet of things/edge analytics for low-latency detection; and (iv) interpretable uncertainty (e.g., Monte Carlo dropout, local interpretable model-agnostic explanations/Shapley additive explanations). Balancing accuracy, scalability, real-time operation, uncertainty quantification, and interpretability is pivotal for transitioning from reactive maintenance to intelligent, self-adaptive asset management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 109583"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147394380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Results in EngineeringPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-28DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109830
Quang-Oai Lu , Wei-Hsiang Chang , Hsiu Ling Chen , Ching-Chang Lee
{"title":"Unveiling the hidden gaps of PM2.5 exposure: A critical review bridging perspectives from indoor and outdoor predictive models","authors":"Quang-Oai Lu , Wei-Hsiang Chang , Hsiu Ling Chen , Ching-Chang Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109830","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109830","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) poses a significant threat to human health globally. Several epidemiological studies rely on outdoor air data to estimate human exposure levels, associating them with health effects across various populations. However, it’s crucial to note that individuals typically spend most of their time indoors, where PM<sub>2.5</sub> data is lacking. This gap hinders comprehensive studies that require large sample sizes to identify associations and control for confounding variables. Indoor PM<sub>2.5</sub> plays a crucial role in human exposure assessment. Measuring indoor PM<sub>2.5</sub> level through stringent quality control procedures usually requires specialized sampling monitor, but this direct method is expensive, time-intensive, and impractical. Thus, there is a necessity for finding alternative approaches, such as predictive models, which can estimate indoor PM<sub>2.5</sub> levels where direct measurement is not feasible due to various constraints in place. This review concentrates on studies from 1997 in which we analyzed PM<sub>2.5</sub> sources, influencing factors, modeling techniques, and personal exposure assessments. The global PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure thresholds currently in use are outlined. Outdoor and indoor predictive models, including spatial models, machine learning, physicochemical models, and others, were thoroughly evaluated. The merits and drawbacks of each model were assessed to facilitate optimal selection in future studies. Furthermore, the knowledge gap and priorities for future PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure model development were identified. A holistic understanding of this field can ensure the sustainable control of PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure and its risks to human health. Hence, understanding the association between outdoor and indoor PM<sub>2.5</sub> is the main key to assessing exposure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 109830"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147394382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Results in EngineeringPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108346
R. Márquez-Cortés , J. Martínez-Trinidad , M. Flores-Martínez , L.A. Moreno-Pacheco , O. Quintana-Hernández , W. Wong-Angel , R.A. García-León
{"title":"Practical adhesion of duplex coatings on AISI 4140 steel using HiPIMS and boriding processes","authors":"R. Márquez-Cortés , J. Martínez-Trinidad , M. Flores-Martínez , L.A. Moreno-Pacheco , O. Quintana-Hernández , W. Wong-Angel , R.A. García-León","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108346","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108346","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the effect of Substrate Bias Voltage (SBV) on the adhesion properties of duplex coatings comprising Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) and borided layers on AISI 4140 steel. The coatings were deposited using High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) and boriding techniques, with a DLC layer (∼800 nm) applied under varying SBV conditions (100 to 300 V). Additionally, the impact of a tungsten metallic interlayer on adhesion was examined. Mechanical and chemical characterizations were performed using optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy. Following ASTM G-1624 standards, Scratch tests employed a Rockwell C diamond tip with loads ranging from 0.5 to 120 N to assess the friction coefficient and residual penetration. Critical loads, indicating adhesive or cohesive failures, were determined by SEM analysis on the wear track. Results revealed that the critical load for the DLC coating alone was approximately 7.0 N, whereas the DLC+borided system withstood up to ∼108 N, demonstrating significantly enhanced adhesion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 108346"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Results in EngineeringPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-27DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108913
Motasem Y.D. Alazaiza , Aiman A. Bin Mokaizh , Abdulrahman Hamid Nour , Tharaa M. Alzghoul , Abdullah O. Baarimah
{"title":"Green extraction of natural products: A bibliometric review of global research trends, technological advances, and environmental implications","authors":"Motasem Y.D. Alazaiza , Aiman A. Bin Mokaizh , Abdulrahman Hamid Nour , Tharaa M. Alzghoul , Abdullah O. Baarimah","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108913","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108913","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing demands for environmentally sound and sustainable extraction methods have prompted an increasing demand for green extraction technologies for natural products. This bibliometric analysis investigates the research trends, lead researchers, and emerging methodologies of green extraction from 2004 until the last search conducted on 16th February 2025. In relation to a summary of 140 Scopus-indexed articles, the current study finds an increasingly large body of research in recent years with a maximum increase after 2015 following advancements in different techniques such as supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and enzymatic extraction. China, India, and Brazil lead in terms of publication volume, whereas European countries have higher citation influence, reflecting their contribution to the production of high-quality research. Flagship journals such as Trends in Food Science & Technology and Food Research International play a crucial role in the advancement of research in this field. Despite significant strides, issues such as scalability, regulatory harmonization, and stability of extracted bioactive compounds continue to face researchers. Future research would have to be focused on industrial integration, artificial intelligence-based optimization, and broader applications in the circular economy. Green extraction technologies are on the verge of transforming waste valorization, enhancing bioavailability, and facilitating environmentally friendly industrial processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 108913"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Results in EngineeringPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109331
Izuchukwu Chukwuma Obasi, Chizubem Benson, Damola Victor Akinwande
{"title":"Smart systems and safety 4.0: A systematic review of technologies enhancing safety decision-making in industry 4.0","authors":"Izuchukwu Chukwuma Obasi, Chizubem Benson, Damola Victor Akinwande","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109331","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109331","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Industry 4.0 has introduced advanced technologies that enable automation, interconnectivity, and data-driven operations. These developments have transformed industrial decision-making processes and workplace safety management. However, the integration of smart systems into safety-related decision-making remains insufficiently explored, and their actual impact on occupational safety outcomes is not yet well understood. This study aimed to analyze how smart technologies contribute to improving safety decision-making within Industry 4.0 environments. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol. A total of 713 articles were screened, and 331 peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2024 were selected for analysis. Bibliometric mapping using VOSviewer and thematic synthesis were applied to identify patterns, research trends, and conceptual relationships. The results reveal increasing research interest in predictive and prescriptive safety decision-making supported by technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital twins, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and wearable devices. These technologies enhance hazard identification, real-time monitoring, and proactive risk management. A Safety 4.0 ecosystem framework is proposed, linking data acquisition, modeling, and decision support. Key challenges identified include data quality, interoperability, and workforce skill gaps. The findings highlight the potential of smart systems to improve decision accuracy, operational safety, and organizational resilience. This study contributes an evidence-based understanding of how Industry 4.0 technologies shape safety decision-making processes and provides practical guidance for industries seeking to advance toward intelligent, adaptive, and safer work environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 109331"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Results in EngineeringPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109368
Ali Raza , Khurram Shehzad , Aqdas Shehzad , Fahad Rasheed , Aftab Ahmed , Sarmad Ali , Nian Li , Muzammal Hussain , Khalid I. Anojaidi , Waleed A. Alsuwaylih , Mohammed A. Alsuwaylih , Abdullah H. Almubarak , Shenggao Wang , Zhenyang Wang
{"title":"Rational design of graphene-metal oxide nanocomposites for advanced supercapacitors: synergistic mechanisms, sustainable synthesis, and scalability challenges","authors":"Ali Raza , Khurram Shehzad , Aqdas Shehzad , Fahad Rasheed , Aftab Ahmed , Sarmad Ali , Nian Li , Muzammal Hussain , Khalid I. Anojaidi , Waleed A. Alsuwaylih , Mohammed A. Alsuwaylih , Abdullah H. Almubarak , Shenggao Wang , Zhenyang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109368","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109368","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The escalating global energy demand necessitates the development of advanced, sustainable energy storage devices. Supercapacitors, renowned for their high-power density and long cycle life, play pivotal roles in this landscape, yet their limited energy density remains a key challenge. This review comprehensively examines the rational design of graphene metal oxide nanocomposites as next-generation electrode materials to overcome this challenge. We delve into the fundamental principles behind electric double layer capacitance (EDLC) enabled by graphene and pseudocapacitance contributed by various metal oxides (e.g., MnO<sub>2</sub>, RuO<sub>2</sub>, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, NiO), highlighting enhanced synergistic effects upon their integration. The core analysis contrasts synthesis methodologies, including chemical vapor deposition, hydrothermal/ solvothermal processes, sol-gel techniques, and electrochemical deposition, evaluating their impact on key parameters such as morphology, porosity, electrical conductivity, and ultimately, electrochemical performance. Furthermore, we emphasize sustainable innovation by reviewing renewable precursors (e.g., biochar) for graphene derivation and green nanoparticle synthesis. The discussion additionally addresses the environmental implications and end-of-life considerations of these nanomaterials. By linking synthesis strategies to material properties and electrode performance, our analysis provides actionable insights for designing efficient, durable, and scalable graphene metal oxide nanocomposites, accelerating next-generation supercapacitors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 109368"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nanomaterials for ballistic protection: Advances and future prospects-a review","authors":"Tibebu Merde Zelelew , Firdwoyn Siyoum Haile , Tsedale Mequanent Admasu , Mestawet Girma Bekele","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109126","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109126","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing lethality of ballistic threats and the increasing demand for lightweight and portable protection have revealed the critical limitations of conventional armor materials, such as high material density, poor flexibility, and limited multi-hit capability. In response, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising pathway for enhancing ballistic performance without sacrificing mobility. This review critically assesses the recent progress in ballistic protection systems enhanced by nanomaterials, focusing on carbon nanotubes, graphene, boron nitride nanotubes, and nano-enabled shear-thickening fluids (STFs). The analysis reveals that ballistic performance improvements are primarily governed by nanoscale mechanisms such as crack deflection and bridging, enhanced interfacial load transfer, and strain-rate-dependent stiffening. Despite these demonstrated advantages, the review identifies major barriers to practical implementation, including inconsistent nanoparticle dispersion, limited scalability of fabrication techniques, uncertain long-term durability, and environmental and health concerns. Based on these findings, a research roadmap is proposed emphasizing hybrid material architectures, scalable manufacturing strategies, multiscale computational modeling, and sustainable material design. The review concludes that overcoming these challenges is essential for translating nanotechnology-enabled armor systems from laboratory concepts into reliable, field-ready ballistic protection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 109126"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Results in EngineeringPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108537
AHMED SALIM , SAJJAD UR REHMAN , WAZIE M. ABDULKAWI , HASSAN YOUSIF AHMED
{"title":"Overcoming barriers to solar energy adoption in Pakistan: Current status, policy gaps, and institutional reforms","authors":"AHMED SALIM , SAJJAD UR REHMAN , WAZIE M. ABDULKAWI , HASSAN YOUSIF AHMED","doi":"10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108537","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108537","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pakistan, a country of 235 million people, faces severe energy security challenges and environmental threats. Transitioning to clean and sustainable energy, particularly solar power, is essential to mitigate these issues and ensure a prosperous future. This study investigates the current status of solar energy adoption in Pakistan, identifying the primary obstacles hindering its widespread implementation. Reviewing reports on policy analysis and the national energy grid, it examines the technical, financial, and regulatory barriers to renewable energy adoption. Despite tremendous solar potential equivalent to 100,000 MW of electricity and an annual boost (2.5 billion PKR) in the allocated budget to promote solar energy in Pakistan, the findings show that major issues include high initial costs, disadvantageous agreements between distribution companies and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), demand-supply deficits, shortfalls of electricity, reliance on imported fuels, and outdated electrical network infrastructure. In the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA)’s 2020 Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) compliance assessment, only 4 out of 157 solar power projects in Pakistan met the required performance criteria, and 3 of them improved their position to the outstanding category. The study proposes 33 policy guidelines for stakeholders to accelerate solar energy adoption, offering actionable tasks toward a cleaner, more energy-secure Pakistan.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36919,"journal":{"name":"Results in Engineering","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 108537"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145683215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}