Reflecting on the Progress and Future of Thermo

As we embark on a new chapter in 2025, it is with immense pride and gratitude that we reflect on the remarkable journey of Thermo (ISSN 2673-7264; [1]) since its inception in 2021. Over the past four years, Thermo has not only grown in stature but has also played a pivotal role in advancing the field of thermal sciences. Our journey is a testament to the collective vision, dedication, and collaboration of the global research community, and it underscores our unwavering commitment to excellence in scientific publishing.

1. Milestone Achievement: Scopus Indexing and Quality Standards

One of the most significant milestones in Thermo’s trajectory was its inclusion in the Scopus database in November 2023 [2], marking a new era of visibility and credibility for the journal. This achievement is a reflection of the rigorous standards upheld by our editorial and peer-review teams, who work tirelessly to ensure the dissemination of high-quality, impactful research. Our peer-review process, which engages at least two to three expert referees per submission, has been instrumental in maintaining academic integrity and excellence. In 2023, this rigorous evaluation process resulted in a rejection rate of 39%, demonstrating our commitment to publishing innovative and relevant research.

The inclusion in Scopus not only enhances the discoverability of our articles but also validates the scientific impact of the research we publish. This milestone represents a vote of confidence from the global research community, encouraging us to continually raise the bar for academic excellence.

2. Newly Indexed Databases and Impact Metrics

In 2024, Thermo achieved another significant milestone by being indexed in the ESCI (Emerging Sources Citation Index, Web of Science) database [3], further enhancing the journal’s credibility and discoverability. Additionally, Thermo received its first CiteScore of 2.1 (Scopus), and the CiteScore tracker for 2024 stands at an impressive 3.8 (data as of 5 February 2025; [4]). This remarkable growth in impact metrics signifies the increasing influence and relevance of Thermo within the scientific community.

Moreover, we anticipate a strong first Impact Factor, reflecting the high-quality research published in the journal. This achievement highlights the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editorial team in maintaining rigorous academic standards.

3. Publication Trends and Strategic Insights

In 2024, Thermo received 60 new submissions, and 27 papers have already been finalized and published. As the review process is still ongoing for some submissions, the current data suggest a rejection rate of approximately 35.7%. The data indicate that 59.3% of these publications originated from Special Issues (SIs), underscoring their significance in attracting high-quality submissions. This trend highlights the effectiveness of Special Issues as a strategic tool for advancing targeted research areas.

However, the slight decline in the number of new submissions and publications in 2024 emphasizes the need to introduce more diverse and innovative Special Issues to stimulate high-quality research contributions. Increasing the number of new submissions is a top priority for 2025, either through Special Issues or Editorial Board Member (EBM) submissions.

4. Citations and Research Impact

The citation metrics from Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) for Thermo demonstrate a dynamic and evolving impact on the scientific community. In 2024, the journal received a total of more than 200 citations, with around 150 citations for papers published in 2022 and 2023. Notably, papers published in 2023 continue to be the most influential, contributing significantly to the citations received in 2024.

These data highlight the importance of strategically disseminating impactful articles from 2023 and 2024 to sustain and enhance the journal’s citation performance and overall visibility.

5. Exponential Growth in Readership and Community Engagement

The increasing influence of Thermo within the scientific community is clearly reflected in the substantial growth in readership and engagement. Full-text views surged from 28,461 in 2021 to an impressive 104,903 in 2023, marking a 269% increase in just two years, and further escalated to 162,153 in 2024 [5]. This exponential growth highlights the journal’s expanding reach and the growing recognition of Thermo as a trusted source of knowledge in thermal sciences.

This surge in readership is not merely a metric of popularity but a testament to the relevance and impact of the research published in Thermo. Our global audience, comprising researchers, educators, and industry practitioners, consistently relies on our publications to stay at the forefront of developments in thermal sciences.

6. Special Issues and Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations

To promote in-depth exploration and foster innovation, Thermo has prioritized the publication of Special Issues on emerging and cross-disciplinary topics. In 2024, Special Issues contributed significantly to the journal’s success, with 59.3% of the publications originating from these thematic editions. Building on this success, Thermo is planning to launch one to two new Special Issues per quarter in 2025, with a focus on Innovative Technologies, Molecular Simulation and Thermodynamics, and Thermal Processes in Sustainable Polymeric Materials.

These thematic Special Issues not only provided a platform for focused scientific discourse but also encouraged collaboration across diverse research communities. They have significantly contributed to expanding the journal’s reach, fostering interdisciplinary dialogues, and advancing the frontiers of thermal sciences.

7. Strategic Vision: Pioneering the Future of Thermal Sciences

As we look forward to 2025 and beyond, Thermo remains steadfast in its vision to be at the forefront of thermal sciences research and knowledge dissemination. Our strategic focus will be on enhancing the journal’s global visibility, increasing engagement with a diverse and interdisciplinary research community, and continuing to publish high-impact research that addresses critical challenges in thermal sciences.

Key strategic initiatives for 2025 include the following:

(1)

Increasing publications to an average of 4 papers per month to provide readers with an ideal weekly reading experience from either a research article or a review paper, targeting 48 papers for the year.

(2)

Expanding Special Issues with diverse themes to attract high-quality submissions.

(3)

Strengthening Editorial Board engagement through strategic suggestions, review involvement, and contributions to Special Issues.

(4)

Enhancing market promotion through active conference collaborations and expanded social media outreach.

8. Acknowledgment and Gratitude: Building on Collective Success

The remarkable progress and achievements of Thermo would not have been possible without the unwavering support and dedication of our authors, reviewers, Editorial Board Members, and the broader scientific community. Their collective contributions have been instrumental in shaping the journal’s identity and driving its success.

Following the New Year Editorial last year [6], we once again extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community for their trust, enthusiasm, and commitment to advancing the field of thermal sciences. It is their passion and pursuit of knowledge that inspire us to continuously strive for excellence.

9. Invitation to Collaborate and Contribute

As we advance into this new year, we invite researchers, educators, and practitioners worldwide to join us on this exciting journey. We encourage contributions that challenge conventional boundaries, inspire new ideas, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations. Together, we can shape the future of thermal sciences and make a lasting impact on the global scientific landscape.

10. Conclusions: Embracing the Future with Renewed Enthusiasm

Reflecting on the transformative journey of Thermo, we are filled with pride and optimism. The strides we have made are a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and excellence in scientific publishing. As we embrace the future, we do so with renewed enthusiasm, commitment, and a bold vision to pioneer new frontiers in thermal sciences.

We look forward to continuing this journey with our vibrant community of researchers, thought leaders, and innovators. The best is yet to come, and together, we will shape the future of thermal sciences with passion, purpose, and perseverance.