Towards a crypto agile future for Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) with Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC)
Ali Asgar Erinpurwala
Ph.D. Candidate at University of Twente
Cryptography plays a critical role in securing today’s cyberspace. Meanwhile, IoT devices have become ubiquitous, embedded in everything from home appliances to industrial automation systems, including components such as Operational Technology (OT) and ICS. With the rapid advancement of quantum computing, it has become imperative to reassess and redesign current cryptographic algorithms in constrained environments like these because of the unique challenges this domain presents. This is where we look into technical and operational challenges that would hinder the adoption of PQC within critical and large-scale infrastructures in the future, and how they can be mitigated.
Ali Asgar Erinpurwala is a PhD candidate at the DACS Group at the University of Twente, specializing in post-quantum cryptography for industrial environments. With a background in cybersecurity management and applied cybersecurity, he aims to develop practical, quantum-resistant solutions tailored to the unique constraints of operational technology and IoT systems. His ongoing research focuses on bridging the gap between theoretical cryptographic advances and real-world deployment in critical infrastructure.
How Europe can handle battery waste: exploring circular strategies through system dynamics modeling
Alessandro Neri
Ph.D. Candidate at University of Bologna
The European Union sustainability targets mandate the phase-out of internal combustion engines by 2035, accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and, with it, the emergence of a growing stream of end-of-life (EOL) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This transformation brings both urgent challenges and opportunities for circular economy strategies. While EU-27 directives set ambitious recycling targets, a narrow focus on recycling risks overlooking more sustainable and impactful approaches such as repurposing and remanufacturing. To navigate this complex landscape, a system dynamics simulation was developed to model EV battery flows across the EU-27 from 2020 to 2050. This method captures complex interactions over time—such as feedback loops and delays—making it ideal for exploring long-term policy impacts. The model includes EV adoption, battery degradation, second-life applications in stationary storage, and final recycling. Through scenario analysis based on policy goals, technological progress, and market trends, the model highlights how repurposing can ease pressure on recycling infrastructure while supporting affordable energy storage.
Alessandro Neri is a PhD candidate in the Automotive Engineering for Intelligent Mobility programme at the University of Bologna, a multidisciplinary programme involving a consortium of campuses across Italy’s Motor Valley, including the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia—where he earned his master’s in Management Engineering and is currently based. His research focuses on sustainable supply chains and manufacturing systems, with an emphasis on the circular economy of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in the transition to electric mobility. He investigates strategies to extend LIB lifecycles—such as recycling, remanufacturing, and repurposing—particularly for second-life applications in stationary storage. His work includes battery flow modelling, process optimisation, and the use of digital product passports for traceability. Additional interests involve renewable energy projects, including site selection for renewables using multi-criteria decision-making, spatial analysis, and optimisation models for renewable energy community design.