Innovations
Vol. 14 (2026), Issue 2

Table of Contents

  • INNOVATION POLICY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

    • Beyond Traditional Healthcare: The Expanding Role of eHealth and Telemedicine in the Digital Era

      pg(s) 44-52

      Over recent decades, healthcare has undergone transformation through digitalization, and systematic data exchange. These developments have contributed to the emergence of Healthcare 4.0 and have changed the organization, delivery, and monitoring of healthcare services. Modern healthcare systems increasingly rely on interconnected technologies that link patient-based and hospital-based components into broader digital ecosystems, supporting communication, structured data sharing, and more continuous healthcare delivery. Wearable and sensor-based technologies have expanded home-based patient monitoring by enabling the collection and transmission of health-related data outside traditional clinical settings. This data may be shared with healthcare professionals and incorporated into the electronic health record (EHR), a one of the key components of modern eHealth infrastructure. However, clinical usefulness depends on effective integration, interoperability, and interpretation within healthcare information systems. Telemedicine platforms enable remote communication between healthcare professionals and patients and may provide access to selected clinical data in real time. This concept can support individualized counselling, continuity of care, and adherence to therapeutic recommendations. Nevertheless, telemedicine should not be understood as an isolated service, but as part of a broader digital healthcare ecosystem. Artificial intelligence (AI) has further expanded the potential applications of telemedicine across medical specialties and may contribute to improved healthcare efficiency. This article provides an overview of current eHealth systems and telemedicine, with attention to their integration into digital health infrastructure and future perspectives in the transition from Healthcare 4.0 toward Healthcare 5.0.

    • Application of Artificial Intelligence in Mechanical Engineering Mechanics and Fracture Mechanics with an Overview of ANSYS SimAI Platform

      pg(s) 53-58

      Development of artificial intelligence in recent years has opened new possibilities in numerical analysis and engineering design. This paper systemizes the main area of applications of artificial intelligence in engineering with emphasis on computational mechanics. Fundamental approaches of machine learning are described including artificial neural networks, convolutional neural networks (CNN) and physics-informed neural networks and their integration with the finite element method. Additionally, a review is given on the platform ANSYS SimAI platform which combines predictive accuracy of numerical simulations with the speed of generative artificial intelligence in a cloud or local computer environment reducing computational time by one or two orders of magnitude. It is worth noting that artificial intelligence is not a replacement for classical analysis, but a powerful tool which speeds up the innovation process and can expand boundaries of numerical modeling in engineering

  • INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

    • Vibration-Based Monitoring of DMLS Ti-6Al-4V Micro-Milling

      pg(s) 58-61

      This paper deals with vibration-based monitoring of micro-milling of DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI using a SCHUNK iTENDO² smart toolholder. The study evaluates the applicability of vibration signals for assessing process conditions during machining with a 1 mm diameter end mill. Annealed and non-annealed samples were machined under different cutting directions relative to the build layers and different initial surface states. The tests were carried out at constant cutting speed, feed per tooth and depth of cut, while vibration data were recorded continuously. The machined grooves were then evaluated by optical and profilometric methods with emphasis on burr formation and edge quality. The results showed that annealing had the strongest positive effect on process stability, reducing vibration levels and significantly improving edge quality. The lowest burr formation was observed in annealed samples machined perpendicular to the printed layers, whereas the non-annealed material exhibited higher dynamic loading and substantially larger burrs. The study confirms that smart toolholder-based vibration monitoring can provide useful information about changes in machining conditions during micro-milling of DMLS titanium alloy and can support further development of process diagnostics in finishing of biomedical components.

    • Synchronous Electric Motor with Permanent Rare Earth Magnets and with Increased Power

      pg(s) 62-64

      The present innovation represents an improved version of an synchronous electric motor with permanent rare earth magnets and increased power, revealed in the utility model certificate No. 2609/05.06.2017, which has one two sites active rotor and two independent stators in one compact module. That way the synchronous electric motor uses at the same time insite and outside active zones. The aim is to upgrade and further develop through research and experimental realization the concept presented in the utility mode in order to receive increased rotational moment and output power. The estimated characteristics, as the efficiency and the output power, of the electric motor with permanent rare earth magnets to be built is expected to be higher than any electrical motor with permanent rare earth magnets presently available at the global level.

    • A Comparative Analysis of the Main Methods of 3D Steganography

      pg(s) 65-67

      The report examines three main groups of approaches: geometric methods, topological techniques, and transformation-based methods. Their robustness, data hiding capacity, visual imperceptibility, and computational complexity are evaluated through analysis.
      The results show that geometric methods offer high capacity but are more vulnerable to attacks such as smoothing and model simplification. Topological techniques provide greater robustness but have limited capacity. Transformation-based methods achieve a good balance between robustness and quality, albeit at the cost of higher computational expense. The report emphasizes that the choice of approach depends on the specific application, such as copyright protection or secure communication, and provides guidance for selecting the optimal method according to security and performance requirements.

    • Design, Implementation, and Performance Analysis of a Single-Pole Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System for Photovoltaic Energy Improvement

      pg(s) 68-73

      The increasing demand for electrical energy, the reduction of fossil fuel reserves, and growing concerns about environmental pollution have driven the development of technologies for energy production from renewable sources, particularly solar energy. The efficiency of photovoltaic systems depends on the angle of incidence of solar radiation on photovoltaic panels. Static systems cannot maintain the optimal orientation toward the sun throughout the day, resulting in reduced electricity generation. For this reason, mechanisms for automatic solar trajectory tracking have been developed, significantly improving the performance of photovoltaic systems. This paper addresses the design, development, monitoring, and operation of a single-pole dual-axis mechanism for solar trajectory tracking of the SM44M3V15P type, integrated with photovoltaic modules. The system was developed as a prototype and later implemented near the Mechatronics Laboratory at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Prishtina. The mechanism enables continuous tracking of the sun’s trajectory through two independent axes: the azimuth axis and the elevation axis. The system includes linear actuators, a mechanical structure, electronic components, and software for automatic monitoring and control. The study includes experimental analyses and simulations to compare the performance between a fixed photovoltaic system and a dual-axis tracking system. The results show that the dual-axis mechanism significantly improves electrical energy production compared to static and single-axis systems. Annual energy production increased from 4156.13 kWh in the fixed system to 5487.42 kWh in the dual-axis tracking system. The findings demonstrate that dual-axis solar tracking systems represent an efficient and sustainable solution for improving the performance of photovoltaic installations in modern engineering applications.

    • Dimensional limitations in the manufacture of tubular filter elements from flat porous powder blanks

      pg(s) 74-76

      Information is provided on the critical values of the ratio of the thickness of a filter element in the shape of a pipe to the radius of a cylindrical surface when it is manufactured by rolling a porous sheet blank sintered from tin-phosphorous bronze powder. An increase in the efficiency of using filter elements obtained in this way has been shown. Images of some of the developed filter products introduced into production are presented.

    • Biogas production from alcoholic stillage

      pg(s) 77-79

      Biogas is produced during the process of anaerobic digestion of organic waste. It is an important element of the purpose to minimize the dependence of natural gas, as well as to contribute to less pollution of the environment. The best way to achieve such goals, is to utilize every organic waste and produce valuable product. Alcoholic industry is a large sector and produces huge amounts of alcoholic beverages. Like any other food industry, there are organic wastes during and after the production process. One such organic waste is the stillage. It is a liquid waste material, produced after distillation. Stillage contains various nutrition elements, which could be used as feeding material for biogas production. As it is a way to utilize organic waste, there is a scientific interest to research the possibility to utilize it in an anaerobic digestion bioreactor to produce biogas. For that purpose, the stillage is mixed with cattle manure. The accumulated biogas could be used for heating, auxiliary electrical power (powering CNG generators) and as an alternative fuel for vehicles.

    • Antimicrobial activity of aqueous-alcoholic extracts of waste materials from red sweet pepper, red hot pepper and eggplant against spoilage microorganisms. Part 2

      pg(s) 80-82

      The industrial processing of peppers and eggplants yields substantial quantities of byproduct materials, including peels, seeds, and stems. These secondary raw materials are concentrated sources of bioactive compounds, notably phenolic acids and flavonoids, which possess significant potential for repurposing due to their inherent biological activities. This study aimed to quantify the phenolic acid profiles of aqueous-alcoholic extracts derived from red sweet pepper, red hot pepper, and eggplant waste, and to evaluate their inhibitory efficacy specifically against saprophytic microorganisms responsible for food spoilage. Extracts were prepared using varying concentrations of ethanol (20%, 40%, and 70%). High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was employed for the identification of phenolic acids. The antimicrobial potential was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, while the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was established via serial dilutions. The extracts demonstrated robust antifungal and anti-yeast activity against key spoilage organisms, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Fusarium moniliforme. Inhibition zones ranged from 9 mm to 20 mm, with MIC values spanning 60 ppm to 600 ppm. A direct correlation was observed between the concentration of specific bioactive phenolics and the degree of microbial suppression. Given their high phenolic content and proven effectiveness in inhibiting common spoilage fungi and yeasts, these materials—and the flours derived from them—offer a viable, bioactive alternative for extending shelf life in food industry applications.

    • Advanced metal additive manufacturing using xBeam 3D metal printing technology: processing, microstructure, mechanical performance and emerging applications

      pg(s) 83-88

      xBeam 3D metal printing is an advanced wire-feed electron-beam DED technology based on a unique coaxial “hollow conical electron beam–wire” configuration. This review summarizes the relationships between process design, microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and engineering applications.
      The technology utilizes a low-voltage (<20 kV) gas-discharge electron gun operating in medium vacuum (10⁻¹–10⁻² mbar), improving process efficiency, reducing alloying-element losses, and extending cathode lifetime. Studies show that xBeam processing promotes a columnar-to-equiaxed transition of primary β grains in Ti–6Al–4V, producing weakly textured equiaxed structures without grain refiners. After heat treatment, tensile strengths of 950–1020 MPa and elongations of 12–15% are achieved. Recent developments include titanium-based cored wires for in-situ fabrication of Ti–6Al–4V + 40%TiC composites and functionally graded materials. Ballistic studies demonstrate enhanced energy dissipation in layered titanium structures, while successful copper–stainless steel bimetallic fabrication confirms the ability to minimize brittle interfacial layers. Overall, xBeam has evolved from a manufacturing technique into a versatile platform for microstructure engineering, advanced material development, and multimaterial additive manufacturing..

    • Improving the Design and Working Process of a Nut Harvester Shaker

      pg(s) 89-91

      This article examines the issue of improving the design of a nut harvester shaker to improve operator comfort, enhance machine productivity, and improve working conditions. The identified shortcomings of the nut harvester allow for solutions to improve the design of certain components of the working parts and the overall harvester operation, taking into account the vibration transfer coefficient from the machine to the tree trunk. While studying the issue of industrial vibrations, the criteria for classifying vibrations affecting humans were identified. It has been found that the maximum impact of vibrations on the human body occurs in the range of 0.7-90 Hz. It is proposed to minimize harmful vibrations by using elastic systems that will allow energy to be dissipated from the vibration source. This improvement will help reduce the negative impact of vibrations on the operator’s body.