We are pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Dr. Zhanjun Cheng as the new Section Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Applied Thermal Engineering” in Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2076-3417).

Name: Prof. Dr. Zhanjun Cheng
Affiliation: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Interests: biomass energy utilization; combustion reaction kinetics; pyrolysis; combustion; gasification; reaction mechanism; catalytic thermal conversion

Prof. Dr. Zhanjun Cheng is a Full Professor and Dean Assistant at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University. Prof. Dr. Cheng is dedicated to fundamental research regarding the clean disposal and efficient utilization of organic solid waste, as well as combustion reaction kinetics, including experimental and mechanism studies of waste and biomass combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis using VUV photoionization mass spectrometry technology. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal papers, with many featuring in the top journals in the field of Environment and Energy, such as Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), Environmental Science & Technology Journal (EST), Combustion and Flame (CnF), Proceedings of the Combustion Institute (ProCI), and other high-level journals. He serves as a deputy director at the Tianjin Key Lab of Biomass/Wastes Utilization, as well as Chairman of the Program Committee of the Combustion Academic Conference of the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics.

We are confident that his vision and leadership will guide the Section “Applied Thermal Engineering” in Applied Sciences to new heights of success.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Zhanjun Cheng, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views of the research area and open access publishing:

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role as its Section Editor-in-Chief?

Applied Sciences is a well-established, peer-reviewed open-access journal with a broad interdisciplinary scope, which aligns perfectly with the applied nature of thermal engineering research. The journal's commitment to high-quality publications and its global reach provide an excellent platform to disseminate cutting-edge research. The Section “Applied Thermal Engineering” specifically focuses on practical and impactful applications of thermal science—a field in which I have extensive research experience and a strong publication record. This role offers me the opportunity to shape the direction of the section, promote innovative research, and foster international collaboration in areas such as biomass energy, waste conversion, and sustainable thermal systems.

2. What is your vision for the journal?

My vision is to establish the “Applied Thermal Engineering” Section as a leading forum for high-impact research that bridges fundamental science and real-world applications. I aim to attract pioneering work in areas such as clean energy conversion, waste-to-energy technologies, combustion kinetics, catalytic thermal processes, and sustainable thermal management. By maintaining rigorous peer-review standards and encouraging submissions from both established and emerging researchers, I hope to cultivate a diverse and influential publication that drives technological advancement and supports global sustainability goals. I also plan to promote Special Issues on emerging topics and enhance international visibility through strategic collaboration.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?

The field of applied thermal engineering is poised for significant growth, particularly in the context of global carbon neutrality and circular economy goals. Key future directions include the following:

• Advanced Waste-to-Energy Systems: Developing efficient, low-emission technologies for converting organic solid waste and biomass into energy and chemicals.
• Reaction Mechanism Elucidation: Using advanced diagnostic tools like synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry to uncover complex reaction pathways.
• Catalytic Process Optimization: Designing novel catalysts for selective pyrolysis, gasification, and pollutant control.
• Integration of AI and Machine Learning: Applying data-driven approaches to predict reaction kinetics, optimize processes, and design materials.
• Sustainable Aviation and Fuel Combustion: Exploring alternative fuels and understanding their combustion behavior under various conditions.
• This field will increasingly intersect with materials science, environmental engineering, and digital technologies, offering transformative solutions for energy and environmental challenges.

4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?

Open access is a transformative movement in academic publishing that enhances the accessibility, visibility, and impact of scientific research. It democratizes knowledge by allowing researchers and the public to freely access the latest findings, thereby accelerating innovation and application. For a field as applied as thermal engineering, open access is particularly valuable—it ensures that technological advances reach a wide audience, including industry practitioners and developing regions. I strongly support the open-access model and believe it promotes transparency, collaboration, and broader societal engagement with science. Applied Sciences' open-access policy aligns with this vision and will help amplify the global influence of the research we publish.