Applied Sciences

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tomasz Górski

Institute of Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 57, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: software engineering; blockchain; smart contracts; continuous delivery; model-driven development; interoperability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Blockchain technology is finding an increasing number of applications. Such widespread use of this technology forces the continuous improvement of its components. Smart contracts have been particularly strongly developed. Additionally, existing frameworks are constantly being expanded, and new ones emerge to offer ever-superior performance. Progress is also being made in the area of software engineering. In particular, designing and testing smart contracts attract the attention of researchers. Moreover, the distributed nature of blockchain software may necessitate new architectural views to cover all aspects of blockchain software architecture. The interoperability of blockchain networks adds an even higher level of complexity to the design of that type of solution. This Special Issue also covers the software development process of distributed applications and the deployment of blockchain networks.

This Special Issue, entitled “Advances in Blockchain and Smart Contracts with Diverse Domains Applications”, in the Applied Sciences journal, aims to gather recent developments in blockchain and their use in various fields. Manuscripts with interesting results obtained by researchers from both academia and industry are welcome.

Dr. Tomasz Górski
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

blockchain
smart contracts
distributed applications (dApps)
interoperability
software development process
software architecture

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 1903 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Architectural Patterns for Blockchain Systems and Application Design

by Fouzia Alzhrani, Kawther Saeedi and Liping Zhao

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(20), 11533; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132011533 - 21 Oct 2023

Viewed by 2816

Abstract

Blockchain technology has gained popularity in various applications, including finance transactions and beyond. However, developing blockchain application systems is challenging due to stringent quality requirements, such as performance, scalability, and security. Software architecture plays a critical role in realizing key quality requirements. Nonetheless, little work has been performed on software architectures for blockchain applications since blockchain application development is still a new field. This paper proposes twelve architectural patterns for blockchain application software architectures based on 400 cross-industry real-world applications available on the Internet. We determine the key components of each application guided by a blockchain application taxonomy we developed. We then identify typical architectural patterns from the interactions of these components guided by well-known software patterns, such as peer-to-peer, layered, pipe-filter, and access control. Based on the roles of these patterns, we organize them into four architectural views comprising four structural, two interactional, four transactional, and two security patterns. We describe each pattern in detail using a standard form and demonstrate the patterns through a real-world blockchain application. The use of patterns can be valuable in addressing blockchain’s unique challenges, but creativity remains essential in crafting innovative solutions. Mixing architectural patterns according to varying requirements can help developers communicate effectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Blockchain and Smart Contracts with Diverse Domains Applications)

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Review

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31 pages, 2102 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Potential of Blockchain Technology and Smart Contracts in the Energy Sector: A Review

by Panagiotis Vionis and Theodore Kotsilieris

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(1), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14010253 - 27 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2892

Abstract

The energy sector is undergoing a period of technological transformation, driven by the emergence of blockchain and smart contracts. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize energy markets and significantly reduce transaction costs, improve efficiency, and increase transparency. The rising energy prices in recent years have been a cause for global concern. As the EU recorded historically high energy prices in 2022, according to the EU Council, this price rise is linked to increased energy demand following the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the acceleration of climate change. This paper aims to critically examine the current state of blockchain and smart contracts technology in the energy sector, focusing on use cases, key challenges, and potential solutions. It further explores the impact of these technologies on energy markets and their potential to contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon energy future. Finally, it examines the prospects of blockchain and smart contract technologies to transform the energy industry and the policy implications for governments and regulators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Blockchain and Smart Contracts with Diverse Domains Applications)

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