Interview with Dr. Muhammad Ali Butt—Winner of the Web of Science Highly Cited Paper Badge

We are delighted to invite the winner of Web of Science highly cited paper badge, Dr. Muhammad Ali Butt, to discuss his review paper “Thin-Film Coating Methods: A Successful Marriage of High-Quality and Cost-Effectiveness—A Brief Exploration”. The paper was published in Coatings (ISSN: 2079-6412) and discussed several cost-effective thin-film coating methods, which include dip-coating, spin-coating, spray-coating, blade-coating, and roll-coating. We hope you enjoy the interview below:

1. Tell us a little bit about your background and field of study?
My name is Muhammad Ali Butt. I am originally from Pakistan, and my academic journey has taken me across several countries, providing me with diverse research and professional experiences. I hold a master’s degree in nanotechnology from Uni Kassel, Germany and a PhD in materials science from Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain. Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to conduct research in multiple countries, including England, Russia, Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands. These experiences have not only strengthened my technical expertise but also enriched my ability to collaborate in multicultural and interdisciplinary environments.
Currently, I am working in the field of integrated photonic devices, with a specialization in photonic sensors. My research focuses on developing innovative solutions with potential applications in areas such as communications, healthcare, and environmental monitoring. In recognition of my contributions, I have been ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide for the period 2021–2025. I remain passionate about advancing this field and contributing to impactful projects that bridge fundamental research with practical applications.

2. What is your motivation for pursuing research?
My primary motivation for pursuing research is the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity and contribute to solving real-world problems. I have always been fascinated by the interaction between light and matter, particularly at the nanoscale. This curiosity has led me to work with integrated photonic devices, where the miniaturization of optical sensors enables highly sensitive measurement capabilities.
What excites me most is the potential of photonic sensors to be applied in healthcare, for example, in the early detection of major illnesses. The idea that a compact device, leveraging fundamental light–matter interactions, could help diagnose diseases quickly and accurately is both scientifically challenging and socially impactful.
I strongly resonate with Albert Szent-Györgyi’s words: “Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought”. For me, this quote captures the essence of research: to look at familiar problems from new perspectives and discover innovative solutions.
Beyond this, I value the creative process of research, asking questions that do not yet have answers, developing new methods to test hypotheses, and collaborating with diverse teams to advance knowledge. For me, research is not just about discovery but also about translating those discoveries into technologies that can improve lives.

3. What was the main inspiration for writing your highly cited review paper?
My principal inspiration for writing this review arose from the recognition of two converging trends in thin-film technology: first, the demand for high-quality coatings for advanced applications such as optical, photonic, and electronic systems, and second, the growing requirement for cost-effective, scalable manufacturing methods. In reading the literature, I observed that while many individual deposition techniques (dip-coating, spin-coating, spray-coating, roll-coating, etc.) had been well-studied, there was a notable gap: few works offered a concise comparative framework that assessed both performance and manufacturability across methods.
Given my background in materials science and integrated photonic devices, I was particularly curious to understand how thin-film coatings could be optimized in devices where light–matter interaction is critical (e.g., waveguides, sensors). Writing the review allowed me to synthesize the state-of-the-art, highlight the advantages and limitations of each method, and propose guidance for selecting techniques suitable for different substrates, scales, and application demands.
In essence, the review was motivated by the desire to provide the research community with a practical roadmap, not only summarizing the science, but also helping engineers and scientists choose the right coating method based on their constraints (substrate size, surface roughness, budget, production scale). The positive reception of this work reinforces my belief that such integrative reviews can significantly accelerate progress in applied materials and photonic technologies.

4. From the perspective of an author, how was your experience publishing a paper with MDPI, compared to other publishers?
My experience publishing with MDPI was very positive overall. From an author’s perspective, I appreciated the efficiency and transparency of the process. The peer review process was timely yet rigorous, and the communication with the editorial team was clear and supportive throughout. The open-access model also ensured that the paper reached a wide audience quickly, which likely contributed to its visibility and impact.
Compared to some other publishers I have worked with, where the process can sometimes be lengthy or less transparent, MDPI offered a more streamlined experience. At the same time, I value the strengths of traditional publishers, especially their established reputations and often more extensive editorial structures.
Overall, I would say MDPI provided a balance of quality peer-review, speed, and accessibility, which made the experience highly rewarding as an author.

5. What distinguishes Coatings from other journals in the field?
What distinguishes Coatings from other journals in the field is its strong interdisciplinary scope and accessibility. It not only covers the fundamental science of coating materials and deposition methods but also emphasizes practical applications across diverse sectors such as optics, photonics, electronics, energy, and healthcare. This broad perspective makes it valuable for both academic researchers and industrial practitioners.
Another key distinction is the journal’s open-access model, which ensures that published work is freely available to a global audience, increasing visibility and citation potential. Additionally, the journal maintains a relatively fast and transparent review process, which is appreciated by authors seeking the timely dissemination of their results.
In my view, Coatings serves as a platform that bridges cutting-edge research with applied engineering solutions, and this balance sets it apart from many more narrowly focused journals.

6. In your opinion, from what aspects Coatings can be improved, and how can we provide more convenience to the scholars?
In my opinion, Coatings already provides a strong platform for disseminating high-quality research. However, there are always opportunities for improvement. One area could be enhancing the review process by increasing the diversity of reviewers, both geographically and across subfields, to ensure even broader perspectives and balanced evaluations.
Another aspect might be to provide more structured guidance to early career scholars, such as editorial notes, special issues, or tutorials on writing impactful manuscripts and reviews. This could make the journal even more accessible to newcomers in the field.
Additionally, incorporating more interactive features, for example, short video summaries, graphical abstracts, or data-sharing platforms, would improve visibility and convenience for readers, while helping authors reach wider audiences.
Overall, by continuing to focus on accessibility, diversity, and author support, Coatings can strengthen its position as a leading journal in the field.