Announcements

Name: Dr. Mewin Vincent

Affiliation: Center for Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

Research Interests: post lithium batteries; dual-ion batteries; nanomaterials; electrochemical characterizations; in situ XRD; nanomaterial synthesis and characterization

Self-introduction:
I am an experienced researcher with a demonstrated history of working in the research industry. My expertise are physics, electrochemical energy storage, batteries, nanomaterials, and multilayer electronic packaging. I am a skilled research professional with a Ph.D. in the area of Advanced Batteries from the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain.

The following is an interview with Dr. Mewin Vincent:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?
I'm a researcher passionate about innovation in materials research. I hold a master's degree in physics and a Ph.D. in batteries, which has equipped me with a strong foundation in both the fundamental principles and cutting-edge advancements in this critical field.
I started my career in developing novel materials for electronic packaging and later switched to the field of materials for energy storage applications.
Currently, within my research, I am particularly excited about exploring the potential of post-lithium battery technologies. This includes fascinating avenues like magnesium (Mg), magnesium hybrids, sodium (Na), and lithium–air systems. These hold immense promise for pushing the boundaries of energy density, safety, and sustainability in batteries.

2. Could you elaborate on how you initially learned about the journal Batteries? Furthermore, what inspired you to apply for the Batteries Outstanding Reviewer Award 2023?
While I was pursuing my Ph.D. at IMDEA Materials Institute in Madrid, my project manager Dr. Vinodkumar Etacheri used to serve as a Guest Editor for Batteries. This was the first time I came to know about the journal. Later, when I started getting involved with article reviewing for Batteries, this was one of the options, but with experience, I noticed professionalism and dedication to fast publication which encouraged me to continue and finally achieve this milestone.

3. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
Energy conversion and storage will continue to be a relevant topic in the coming years. Especially due to the drastic climate changes happening around the world caused by CO2 emissions. World leaders have unanimously agreed on the necessity of renewable energy resources. This transition cannot be complete without effective storage solutions.

4. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
The open access model of publishing is really important because it makes knowledge available to everyone. However, some people approach it as a mere business model with no commitment to society. So, there should be strict regulations under which the concept of the open access model can reach its full potential.

5. Which qualities do you think reviewers need? Do you have anything to say to other reviewers?
I feel reviewers should update their knowledge base constantly, which is crucial for an effective review process. They should also learn to say no in cases where they receive an invitation from an area outside of their expertise. It is also essential to provide the review report as soon as possible because the people who made the submission eagerly await the outcome of their submissions.

6. What do you think are the main criteria in the process of reviewing manuscripts?
The quality of the article, its presentation, and relevance of the topic.

7. What is the secret to a happy scientific life? Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research and how did you overcome them?
One’s scientific life should be the outcome of a passion for research and an interest in making a contribution to technology as well as society. If any of these are missing, life can be miserable.

8. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
To be passionate about their career, dedicated, and truthful. Do not just work for publications or patents; this should materialize as part of the research flow.

9. As the winner of this award, is there anything you would like to express or someone you would like to thank?
It’s a great opportunity. On this occasion, I would like to thank Batteries (ISSN: 2313-0105) and all its editors for choosing me as part of the review process. I am also thankful to all of my previous project managers and colleagues who developed my enthusiasm for research.