With this book, we wish to honor the lifework of K. Alex Müller and present him with this book on the occasion of his 94th birthday. We are convinced that he will very much enjoy reading it. We would like to thank all contributors to this book, who addressed topics complementary and related to his work. The articles of the book represent the efforts in solid state physics – spanning more than 60 years – which have been groundbreaking in scientific and applied sciences. Many of the current hot topics are derived from this earlier work which has pioneered the way toward new experimental tools and/or refined techniques. From this point of view, the book presents, on one hand, a historical review and, on the other hand, a directory of possible future research.

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"Plasma Applications in Biomedicine" explores the innovative intersection of physics and life sciences, focusing on the use of cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) for disease treatment and tissue regeneration. Initially used for material processing, CAPs have evolved to engage intricately with biological tissues, offering novel disinfection and healing capabilities without thermal damage. CAPs are gaining attention in healthcare, especially dermatology and surgery, for their antibacterial properties, ability to treat chronic wounds, and effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA. The medical applications of CAPs fall into the following two categories: direct and indirect treatments, which utilize various plasma devices such as torches, jets, and needles. CAPs produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that modulate biological responses, particularly in hydrated or liquid environments. This Special Issue of Biomedicine compiles cutting-edge research on CAPs and plasma-activated liquids (PALs), highlighting their therapeutic potential across diverse medical fields, including endodontics, wound healing, tissue regeneration, cancer treatment, and antibacterial solutions for bone infections and vaginal health. The featured studies underscore the transformative potential of plasma technology in medicine, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to fully realize its therapeutic benefits and understand its mechanisms of action.

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Sol–gel technology is a contemporary advancement in science that requires taking a multidisciplinary approach with regard to its various applications. This book highlights some applications of the sol–gel technology, including protective coatings, catalysts, piezoelectric devices, wave guides, lenses, high-strength ceramics, superconductors, synthesis of nanoparticles, and insulating materials. In particular, for biotechnological applications, biomolecules or the incorporation of bioactive substances into the sol–gel matrix has been extensively studied and has been a challenge for many researchers. Some sol–gel materials are widely applied in light-emitting diodes, solar cells, sensing, catalysis, integration in photovoltaic devices, and more recently in biosensing, bioimaging, or medical diagnosis; others can be considered excellent drug delivery systems. The goal of an ideal drug delivery system is the prompt delivery of a therapeutic amount of the drug to the proper site in the body, where the desired drug concentration can be maintained. The interactions between drugs and the sol–gel system can affect the release rate. In conclusion, the sol–gel synthesis method offers mixing at the molecular level and is able to improve the chemical homogeneity of the resulting composite. This opens new doors not only regarding

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