In this study, we examine Society 5.0, defined as a future framework where advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and other digital innovations are integrated into society for sustainable resource management. Society 5.0 represents an evolution from the industrial focus of Industry 4.0, aiming for a harmonious balance between technological progress and human-centric values, consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our methodology involves a detailed literature review, focusing on identifying and evaluating the roles of AI, IoT, and other emerging technologies in enhancing resource efficiency, particularly in the water and energy sectors, to minimize environmental impact. This approach allows us to present a comprehensive overview of current technological advancements and their potential applications in Society 5.0. Our study’s added value lies in its synthesis of diverse technological strategies, emphasizing the synergy between circular economy practices and sustainable economic development. We highlight the necessity for resilience and adaptability to ecological challenges and advocate for a collaborative, data-informed decision-making framework. Our findings portray Society 5.0 as a holistic model for addressing contemporary global challenges in resource management and conservation, projecting a future where technology aligns with sustainable, equitable, and human-centered development.

This article presents a comprehensive review of lithium as a strategic resource, specifically in the production of batteries for electric vehicles. This study examines global lithium reserves, extraction sources, purification processes, and emerging technologies such as direct lithium extraction methods. This paper also explores the environmental and social impacts of lithium extraction, emphasizing the need for sustainable and ethical practices within the supply chain. As electric vehicles are projected to account for over 60% of new car sales by 2030, the demand for high-performance batteries will persist, with lithium playing a key role in this transition, even with the development of alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, such as sodium and ammonium-based technologies. However, there is an urgent need for technological advancements to reduce the environmental impact of lithium production and lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Additionally, ensuring the safety of LiBs during both use and recycling stages is critical to sustainable EV adoption. This study concludes that advancements in battery recycling and the development of new technologies are essential to improving safety, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impacts, thereby securing a sustainable lithium supply and supporting the future of electric mobility.

Biomass is a key renewable resource for advancing sustainable and circular energy systems. In contrast to prior reviews that predominantly emphasized well-established biomass types and conventional conversion technologies, this work offers a comparative synthesis that underscores underutilized feedstocks and emerging valorization pathways, providing a strategic perspective for sustainable process development. This review critically examines the current state of high-value-added bioproducts derived from biomass, focusing on their relevance to climate mitigation and resource efficiency. It explores sustainable process design strategies that enhance the environmental and economic performance of biomass conversion. Particular attention is given to recent advances in process intensification, including novel reactor configurations and heat integration techniques. The integration of sustainability assessment tools and multi-objective optimization approaches is analyzed to support data-driven decision-making. Multi-product biorefineries are discussed as central platforms for valorizing diverse feedstocks, supported by emerging models for supply chain integration. Present limitations such as feedstock heterogeneity, infrastructure constraints, and energy coupling challenges are reviewed, along with new opportunities in digitalization, modularization, and policy support. The novelty of this work lies in its cross-sectional synthesis of technologies, methodologies, and system-level strategies, offering a unified framework to unlock the full potential of biomass as a strategic vector for sustainable process development.

Optimization has become an indispensable tool in the food industry, addressing critical challenges related to efficiency, sustainability, and product quality. Traditional approaches, such as one-factor-at-a-time analysis, have been supplanted by more advanced methodologies like response surface methodology (RSM), which models interactions between variables, identifies optimal operating conditions, and significantly reduces experimental requirements. However, the increasing complexity of modern food production systems has necessitated the adoption of multi-objective optimization techniques capable of balancing competing goals, such as minimizing production costs while maximizing energy efficiency and product quality. Advanced methods, including evolutionary algorithms and comprehensive modeling frameworks, enable the simultaneous optimization of multiple variables, offering robust solutions to complex challenges. In addition, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have transformed optimization practices by effectively modeling non-linear relationships within complex datasets and enhancing prediction accuracy and system adaptability. The integration of ANNs with Industry 4.0 technologies—such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and digital twins—has enabled real-time monitoring and optimization, further aligning production processes with sustainability and innovation goals. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of optimization methodologies in the food industry, tracing the transition from traditional univariate approaches to advanced, multi-objective techniques integrated with emerging technologies, and examining current challenges and future perspectives.