Several developments have recently emerged for core-shell magnetic nanomaterials, indicating that they are suitable materials for biomedical applications. Their usage in hyperthermia and drug delivery applications has escalated since the use of shell materials and has several beneficial effects for the treatment in question. The shell can protect the magnetic core from oxidation and provide biocompatibility for many materials. Yet, the synthesis of the core-shell materials is a multifaceted challenge as it involves several steps and parallel processes. Although reviews on magnetic core-shell nanoparticles exist, there is a lack of literature that compares the size and shape of magnetic core-shell nanomaterials synthesized via various methods. Therefore, this review outlines the primary synthetic routes for magnetic core-shell nanoparticles, along with the recent advances in magnetic core-shell nanomaterials. As core-shell nanoparticles have been proposed among others as therapeutic nanocarriers, their potential applications in hyperthermia drug delivery are discussed.

Corrosion, commonly associated with ferrous materials, also affects aluminum alloys. Given the degradation that corrosion can inflict on aluminum structures, this study focuses on optimizing nanostructured sol–gel silica-zirconia coatings to mitigate the diffusion of the electrolyte, thereby also limiting oxygen availability at the substrate. Using aluminum AA2024 T3 rod specimens of 3.5 mm thickness as substrates, coatings were synthesized via a sol–gel technique, employing tetraethylorthosilicate, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, tetra-n-propoxyzirconium, and ethyl acetoacetate as precursors. The coatings, composed of a silicon matrix integrated with dispersed ZrO ₂ particles, were applied to the substrate through the dip-coating technique. Various temperatures were subsequently evaluated during the annealing process to achieve stabilization of the coatings. Surface roughness of the aluminum samples was evaluated before and after coating, alongside microhardness measurements. Surface morphology, coating thickness, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements (conducted in a 3.5% NaCl solution to simulate a marine environment) were assessed via scanning electron microscopy, highlighting the utility of these type of coatings for anti-corrosive protection of aluminum.

This work presents the transition of Western Macedonia from a lignite-dominated energy model to a sustainable system based on renewable resources, with particular emphasis on the interlinked roles of policy, regulation, and financing. The analysis is centered on the utilization of biomass and residual waste for district heating applications, highlighting the contribution of the Just Transition Fund and the Greek Green Fund. The study also evaluates the regulatory and institutional frameworks that either support or hinder renewable energy deployment, while embedding the principles of circular economy and cross-border cooperation. The insights derived serve as a reference point for regions undergoing similar post-coal transitions, offering a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable energy integration underpinned by policy alignment and financial cohesion.