Blockchain is evolving to be a secure and reliable platform for secure data sharing in application areas such as the financial sector, supply chain management, food industry, energy sector, internet of things and healthcare. In this paper, we review existing literature and applications available for the healthcare system using blockchain technology. Besides, this work also proposes multiple workflows involved in the healthcare ecosystem using blockchain technology for better data management. Different medical workflows have been designed and implemented using the ethereum blockchain platform which involves complex medical procedures like surgery and clinical trials. This also includes accessing and managing a large amount of medical data. Within the implementation of the workflows of the medical smart contract system for healthcare management, the associated cost has been estimated for this system in terms of a feasibility study which has been comprehensively presented in this paper. This work would facilitate multiple stakeholders who are involved within the medical system to deliver better healthcare services and optimize cost.

Blockchain technology is ready to disrupt nearly every industry and business model, and the energy sector is no exception. Energy businesses across the world have already started exploring the use of blockchain technology in large-scale energy trading systems, peer-to-peer energy trading, project financing, supply chain tracking, and asset management among other applications. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) recently started revolutionizing the energy landscape, and now blockchain technology is providing an additional opportunity to make the energy system more intelligent, efficient, transparent, and secure in the longer term. The idea of this paper is to examine more closely the use of blockchain technology for its possible application in the energy efficiency industry and to determine how it could make energy efficiency markets more secure and transparent in the longer term. This paper examines in detail the key benefits and implications of using blockchain in the energy efficiency sector through the presentation and discussion of two case studies as possible blockchain applications—(i) the UK Energy Company Obligation scheme and (ii) the Italian White Certificate Scheme. We have presented how the key issues around trading energy efficiency savings—correctly estimating the savings, data transparency among stakeholders, and inefficient administrative processes—can be solved through the application of a blockchain-based smart contract system. Finally, this paper presents an implementation of a smart contract for trading of energy-saving certificates achieved via execution of smart contract transactions on the Ethereum blockchain.

Use of smartphones in our everyday life has become widely popular. A large proportion of smartphones use Android OS, which supports third party software development, so there is increasing number of developers developing applications for the android platform. But this means there are significant privacy risks associated with the use of android based smartphone applications. In this paper the process through which different apps gain access to sensitive device permissions when installed on an android devices is studied. More specifically we emphasize the difficulty for the user to understand how different device permissions can affect its privacy. The context and use-case for each permission affects its impact and when multiple permissions are granted determining the potential impact on the privacy of users becomes a much more complex problem. In this work we quantify the potential impact of the most important individual permissions and take some first steps towards an evaluation of privacy impact of multiple device permissions. It is also noted that many `free' apps tend to request unnecessary or redundant permissions, often with the aim to gather valuable user data. This is discussed and some strategies to discourage such permission requesting are outlined. Some ideas for further development of this research are provided in the concluding discussion.

The global economy is at a transition point, moving from the traditional “make, use and discard” linear manufacturing model to a more sustainable and reusable solution that is the Circular Economy. Transitioning the electronics waste recycling industry to greater resource efficiency, re-use and circularity is championed by “closing the loop” on End-of-Life (EOL) products, recycling and re-using them as raw materials to remanufacture new products. The re-use and recycling of batteries and power packs (the lifeblood of electronic devices) from powered appliances is critical in this regard. Batteries are one of the richest sources of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) for waste electronic recycling plants. Solutions to address this shortcoming are limited. This article proposes the RoboCRM system to address this - an automated system for battery detection which allows recyclers to close the loop on battery recovery and resource efficiency by easily identifying and sorting E-waste (Electronic waste) containing batteries from the primary waste stream. RoboCRM uses non-destructive detection methods (such as computer vision systems) in conjunction with pattern recognition and an artificial intelligence engine to achieve this. Once identified and categorised, these battery-powered appliances can be processed to support greater recovery of raw materials and CRMs. This will help close the loop on this aspect of the E-waste stream. As a result, the E-waste recycling industry will be able to integrate circular economy principles, resource recovery and re-use into their existing models in a seamless way, creating new jobs in the industry and producing a highly skilled circular economy workforce. The RoboCRM integrates computer vision and imaging solutions with robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, in order to create a breakthrough system which will become indispensable for the global recycling industry.

Smartphones have become conduits for our most personal information and data. When one wants to install an app on their device, they have to allow the apps to access their camera, internet, location etc. This can lead to privacy issues and affect the user privacy. For example, granting privileges to location leads to tracking the user through their phone. In this paper, privacy issues of android system are discussed. A number of conventional and some more unusual challenges to our individual privacy are identified and discussed.

WHO was informed on 31 December 2019 of cases of unknown cause pneumonia in Wuhan City, China. On 7 January 2020 Chinese authorities reported a novel coronavirus as the cause and was temporarily labeled "2019-nCoV." Coronaviruses (CoV) are a wide family of viruses which cause diseases ranging from common cold to more serious illnesses. A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain not previously found in humans. Countries around the globe have stepped up their surveillance to quickly detect any new 2019-nCoV cases. Blockchain is developing into a safe and efficient network for secure data sharing in applications such as the financial industry, operations management, food industry, energy market, the Internet of Things and healthcare. In this paper, we are using blockchain technology as a mean to share authentic data, tracking of relevant information and help speed up the treatment process. At the same time it will preserve person’s identity. Timely deployment and suitable implementation of the proposed model have the opportunity to curb COVID-19 transmissions and associated mortality, especially in environments with inadequate access to testing facilities. This work will also facilitate in the treatment of other infectious diseases. Smart contract have been designed and implemented using the ethereum blockchain platform which has been presented in this paper. This work would facilitate multiple stakeholders who are involved within the medical system to curb the transmission of this disease.