Announcements

21 June 2024
Meet Us at the IX Symposium on Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Advanced Batteries (HYCELTEC 2024), 30 June–3 July 2024, Milazzo, Italy


MDPI will attend the IX Symposium on Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Advanced Batteries (HYCELTEC 2024), held from 30 June to 3 July 2024 in Milazzo, Italy.

HYCELTEC 2024 will be an interdisciplinary forum for the discussion of topics related to fuel cells, hydrogen and batteries, bringing together researchers from academia, technological centers and industry.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

Energies;

Hydrogen;

WEVJ;

Batteries;

Polymers.

If you plan to attend this conference, we invite you to visit our booth and converse with our delegates. We are excited to meet you in person and address any questions you may have. For further details about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.hyceltec2024.it/.

21 June 2024
Batteries 2022 Best Paper Award Announcement and Interview with Dr. Yang Zhang, One of the Winners

All papers published in 2022 in Batteries (ISSN: 2313-0105) were considered for this award. After a thorough evaluation of the originality and significance of the papers, citations, and downloads, the winner was selected:

“Revisiting Polytetrafluorethylene Binder for Solvent-Free Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Fabrication”
by Yang Zhang, Frederik Huld, Song Lu, Camilla Jektvik, Fengliu Lou and Zhixin Yu
Batteries 20228(6), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries8060057

The winners will receive CHF 500 and a chance to publish a paper free of charge after peer review in Batteries in 2024.

Author names: Yang Zhang, Frederik Huld, Song Lu, Camilla Jektvik, Fengliu Lou and Zhixin Yu
Affiliation: Beyonder As and University of Stavanger
Research Interests: solvent-free electrode manufacturing, prelithiation, high-energy-density LiBs, extra-fast-charge technology, LiBs failure analysis, etc.

The following is a short interview with the first author Dr. Yang Zhang:

text

1. Could you give a brief introduction of yourself to the readers?
My name is Yang Zhang and I obtained my Ph.D. from the University of Stavanger (UiS), Norway in 2023. This work is part of my industrial Ph.D. project, which is a collaboration between UiS and Beyonder AS, Norway, aimed at developing a technology for the large-scale production of electrodes using a solvent-free method. We hope that the technology developed in this project can be applied to Beyonder's battery products, reducing energy consumption in the battery production process while enhancing battery performance. Our team members are from both UiS and Beyonder AS.

2. Could you please briefly introduce the main content of the winning paper?
Our award-winning paper, titled “Revisiting Polytetrafluorethylene Binder for Solvent-Free Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Fabrication”, explores an innovative solvent-free process for creating anode electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. The process was conducted in a roll-to-roll way, which can be scaled up for production. We utilized polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a binder and elucidated the root cause of the fast-capacity-fading PTFE-based anode, primarily due to the irreversible reaction between PTFE and lithium ions at a low potential. This insight is crucial to enhancing the performance and lifespan of LiBs with anodes using PTFE as a binder. Based on our understanding of the degradation mechanism, hard carbon was adopted as the anode’s active material, achieving a decent stability performance. Our work shed light on the development of PTFE-based solvent-free anodes with a longer cycling life.

3. What is your current research and why did you choose this research field?
My current research is focused on solvent-free electrodes’ manufacturing. I chose this field because it offers a sustainable approach to battery manufacturing with the potential to significantly improve energy density and energy consumption savings during the electrode manufacturing process, critical to the advancement of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Also, all-solid-state batteries are considered the “holy grail” of battery technology, which can increase energy density and address safety issues at the same time. Solvents from technology will also play a pivotal role in all-solid-state batteries’ manufacturing.

4. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
In the coming years, I anticipate that research topics such as all-solid-state batteries (ASSB), lithium-rich manganese-layered oxide (LRM) cathode materials, and lithium metal batteries will gain significant interest. These areas are pivotal in achieving highly safer battery technologies and improved energy densities, which are essential for the next generation of electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

5. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to submit your paper? What benefits do you think authors can gain when publishing their articles in Batteries?
We chose to submit our paper to the Batteries journal because it is a reputable, open access platform that covers a wide spectrum of topics within battery science. Publishing in Batteries offers authors the benefit of reaching a broader audience and increasing the visibility of their work, which is essential for the dissemination of scientific findings and fostering collaboration within the research community.

6. How was your experience submitting to Batteries?
Our experience with submitting to Batteries has been very positive. The editorial team and peer reviewers provided constructive feedback that helped us refine our manuscript. The review process was efficient and professional and greatly contributed to the final quality of our paper.

7. Can you briefly describe the key to a happy laboratory life? Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research and how did you overcome them?
The key to a fulfilling laboratory life is fostering a collaborative environment and maintaining a positive atmosphere. When faced with research challenges, we rely on team discussions, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the collective expertise of our members to find innovative solutions.

8. We are an open access journal. How do you think open access impacts the authors?
Open access has a profound impact on authors by democratizing access to research. It allows our work to be freely available to a global audience, facilitating the exchange of ideas and accelerating scientific progress. This model supports the broader scientific community by making research more accessible and transparent. However, while the open access model allows our research to reach a wider audience, the initial publication fees can be a burden for researchers, especially for young investigators. If these costs could be reduced, I believe researchers would be more inclined to publish their work in open access journals to reach a larger readership.

9. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
Winning this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of myself and my colleagues at UiS and Beyonder AS. I am particularly grateful to my collaborators for their invaluable contributions and to the families, who have supported us throughout this journey. Their support has been instrumental in achieving this recognition. Additionally, the main body of this research work was conducted at Beyonder AS, and I would like to express my special gratitude to them for the convenience and support they provided for my research.

21 June 2024
Batteries 2022 Best Paper Award Announcement and Interview with One of the Winners—Prof. Karim Zaghib

All papers published in 2022 in Batteries (ISSN: 2313-0105) were considered for the Batteries 2022 Best Paper Award. After a thorough evaluation of the originality and significance of the papers, citations, and downloads, the winner was selected:

“Recent Development in Carbon-LiFePO4 Cathodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Mini Review”
by Brindha Ramasubramanian, Subramanian Sundarrajan, Vijila Chellappan, M. V. Reddy, Seeram Ramakrishna and Karim Zaghib
Batteries 2022, 8(10), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries8100133
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/8/10/133

The winners will receive CHF 100 and a chance to publish a paper free of charge after peer review in Batteries in 2024.

Information of authors:

Name: Brindha Ramasubramanian
Affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
Research Interests: nanomaterials, electrochemistry, batteries, machine learning and sustainability

text

Self-introduction:
I am currently a Ph.D. student at the National University of Singapore (NUS) | SINGA Awardee & Scholar at the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency of Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore (A*STAR). My primary research interests include synthesis of 2D hybrid nanomaterials, next-generation batteries, electrochemistry and circular economy in product development.

 

 

Name: Subramanian Sundarrajan
Affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
Research Interests: polymer chemistry, heat exchangers, nanofibers and energy storage

text

Self-introduction:
I graduated with an M.Sc. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Madras, India, in 1996, and I was awarded one of the most prestigious fellowships in India, ‘‘Senior Research Fellow’’, by CSIR before completing my Ph.D. at the University of Madras in 2003. I joined the National University of Singapore in 2003 and have worked on the synthesis of polymers and the electrospinning of nanofibers, investigating their applications in battery, air, water, and tissue engineering, as well as clean and sustainable energy.


Name:
Vijila Chellappan
Affiliation: Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
Research Interests: optoelectronics, intelligent materials, sustainable energy storage devices, high throughput experimentation and machine learning

text

Self-introduction:
I am currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials, National University of Singapore, with over 20 years of experience in examining various device technologies (photovoltaics, displays, lasers, energy storage), material systems (semiconducting polymers, oxides, transition metal dichalcogenides, conducting composites), and transient optical/electrical spectroscopy techniques. I have also helped establish high-throughput optical methodologies for machine-learning-enabled process/property optimization. I received my Ph.D. degree in physics from the Anna University, India, in 2001 and carried out postdoctoral research at Åbo Academy University, Turku, Finland, from 2001 to 2002.

Name: M. V. Reddy
Affiliation: Nouveau Monde Graphite, 481 Rue Brassard, Saint-Michel-de-Saints, QC J0K 3B0, Canada
Research Interests: nanomaterials, electrochemistry and batteries

text

Self-introduction:
I am currently working as a Senior Professional Researcher at Nouveau monde Graphite, Quebec, Canada.  For the last 20 years, I have been working on materials for energy storage, such as cathodes, anodes, and solid electrolytes for Li/Na/K- ion batteries and supercapacitors. I am also a member of ICDD USA, IPS, and MRS Singapore, and I have won many awards and given 230 talks all over the world.

 

Name: Seeram Ramakrishna
Affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
Research Interests: biomaterials, circular economy, nanofibers, electrospinning, energy storage and wearables

text

Self-introduction:
I am currently a professor at the National University of Singapore and among the World’s Most Influential Minds (Thomson Reuters). My current research interests include circular economy, electrospinning, next generation electronic devices and wearables.

 

 

 

Name: Karim Zaghib
Affiliation: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 Boulevard de Maisonneuve, Montréal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada
Research Interests: nanomaterials, electrochemistry, batteries

text

Self-introduction:
I am currently a professor of chemical and materials engineering at Concordia University. As former director of research at Hydro-Québec, my research interests include rechargeable batteries, electrochromic devices, and electrochemistry of carbon materials.

 

 

 

 The following is an interview with Prof. Karim Zaghib:

1. Could you please briefly introduce the main content of the winning paper?
This review presents state-of-the-art research on the significance of carbon addition to LiFePO4 cathodes in lithium-ion batteries during the time when it was published. We have discussed recent advancements and future prospects in this area and the impact of carbon incorporation on the structural and electrochemical properties of LiFePO4.  Aspects of carbon, such as size, shape, diffusion, bonding, additives, dopants, and surface functionalization, and their effects on LiFePO4 cathodes were explained, along with prospects for future advancements in LIB LiFePO4 technology.

2. What’s your current research and why did you choose this research field?
M. V. Reddy is working in the area of anode materials and energy storage materials, and Brindha Ramasubramanian and Seeram Ramakrishna are working on 2D nanomaterials and carbon for Li-ion and Al-ion storage.

3. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations in this research field?
One of the major challenges in LiFePO4 and LIBs is electrode degradation over repeated charge–discharge cycles, capacity fade and reduced battery lifespan. Other challenges in LIBs include low lithium diffusion, dendrites and volume changes. Nanostructuring LiFePO4 particles and carbon coatings improves lithium diffusion kinetics, while doping strategies and nanomaterials enhance conductivity and ion transfer. Surface modifications, like coatings and functionalization, can help to optimize surface chemistry and lithium-ion diffusion in LiFePO4 carbon electrodes.

4. Have you ever encountered any difficulties while conducting research? How did you overcome them?
Initially, we encountered challenges in establishing the lab and optimizing parameters for materials synthesis and characterization. After a series of trial-and-error methods, we were finally able to resolve these issues.

5. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
Several research topics are likely to capture the interest of the research community in the coming years in the field of Li-ion batteries, some of those are Solid-State LIBs, Si anodes for LIBs, artificial SEI and beyond Li-ion chemistry such as Na-ion and Al-ion chemistries.

6. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to submit your paper? What benefits do you think authors can gain when publishing their articles in Batteries?
Batteries is a specialized journal in this field, with Prof. Karim and Dr. M. V. Reddy serving on its Editorial Board. It presents an excellent opportunity for us to submit our paper to this open access journal. We received positive feedback, and the publication process was swift. After our review was published, it was widely read by many authors and garnered a significant number of citations.

7. How was your experience submitting to Batteries?
We had a smooth, fast and constructive experience when submitting to Batteries.

8. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Making an impact in any research field requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to lifelong learning and growth. Staying passionate, curious, and persistent with critical thinking will help aspirants to have profound contributions to science and society.

9. Can you briefly describe the key to a happy laboratory life? Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research and how did you overcome them?
The key to a happy laboratory life revolves around fostering a supportive, collaborative, and positive work environment. As for difficulties in conducting research, challenges are common in scientific research. Whether it's encountering unexpected results, experimental failures, funding setbacks, or interpersonal conflicts, overcoming obstacles is an inherent part of the research process. Seeking guidance and advice from mentors, troubleshooting methodically, staying resilient in the face of setbacks, and maintaining a positive attitude will help to overcome the challenges.

10. We are an open access journal. How do you think open access impacts the authors?
Yes, open access has a huge impact.

11. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express, or someone you would like to thank most?
Thanks to the MDPI Batteries team for their efforts in selecting our review for this award.

20 June 2024
2023 Impact Factors for MDPI Journals Released


MDPI is pleased to announce the inclusion of 237 journals in the 2024 release of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and share the key results (see above).

This year, journals covered in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) received category ranks together with journals in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Overall, 139 MDPI journals indexed in ESCI are included in the new unified rankings for the first time.

Enhanced Comparability of Data

According to Clarivate, "the creation of unified category rankings [provides] a simpler and more complete category view for the evaluation of journal performance. [...] The category-first approach simplifies journal performance assessment with a holistic view of all journals in each subject category."

We are thrilled to announce that 72% of our ranked MDPI journals (171 of 237) are above average, in Q1 or Q2. Twenty-nine of our journals received their first Impact Factor this year, accounting for more than 5% of the journals accepted into the Web of Science last year.

MDPI Journals Ranked in JCR

The following data includes all MDPI journals indexed in SCIE, SSCI, ESCI and AHCI.

Journal

Impact Factor

Rank Quartile

Category

Acoustics

1.3

Q3

Acoustics

Actuators

2.2

Q2

Engineering, Mechanical

Q2

Instruments & Instrumentation

Administrative Sciences

3.0

Q2

Management

Advances in Respiratory Medicine

1.8

Q3

Respiratory System

Aerospace

2.1

Q2

Engineering, Aerospace

Agriculture

3.3

Q1

Agronomy

Agriengineering

3.0

Q2

Agricultural Engineering

Agronomy

3.3

Q1

Agronomy

Q1

Plant Sciences

AI

3.1

Q2

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence

Q2

Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications

Algorithms

1.8

Q3

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence

Q2

Computer Science, Theory & Methods

Animals

2.7

Q1

Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science

Q1

Veterinary Sciences

Antibiotics

4.3

Q1

Infectious Diseases

Q1

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Antibodies

3.0

Q3

Immunology

Antioxidants

6.0

Q1

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Q1

Chemistry, Medicinal

Q1

Food Science & Technology

Applied Sciences

2.5

Q2

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Q1

Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Q3

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Q2

Physics, Applied

Applied System Innovation

3.8

Q2

Computer Science, Information Systems

Q2

Engineering, Electrical & Electronic

Q2

Telecommunications

Arts

0.3

N/A

Humanities, Multidisciplinary

Atmosphere

2.5

Q3

Environmental Sciences

Q3

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences

Atoms

1.7

Q3

Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical

Audiology Research

2.1

Q1

Audiology & Speech-language Pathology

Axioms

1.9

Q1

Mathematics, Applied

Batteries

4.6

Q2

Electrochemistry

Q2

Energy & Fuels

Q2

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Behavioral Sciences

2.5

Q2

Psychology, Multidisciplinary

Beverages

3.0

Q2

Food Science & Technology

Big Data and Cognitive Computing

3.7

Q2

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence

Q2

Computer Science, Information Systems

Q1

Computer Science, Theory & Methods

Bioengineering

3.8

Q2

Engineering, Biomedical

Biology

3.6

Q1

Biology

Biomedicines

3.9

Q2

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Q2

Medicine, Research & Experimental

Q1

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Biomimetics

3.4

Q1

Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Q3

Materials Science, Biomaterials

Biomolecules

4.8

Q1

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Biosensors

4.9

Q1

Chemistry, Analytical

Q1

Instruments & Instrumentation

Q2

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Biotech

2.7

Q3

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Birds

1.5

Q1

Ornithology

Brain Sciences

2.7

Q3

Neurosciences

Buildings

3.1

Q2

Construction & Building Technology

Q2

Engineering, Civil

C-Journal of Carbon Research

3.9

Q2

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Cancers

4.5

Q1

Oncology

Cardiogenetics

0.5

Q4

Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems

Catalysts

3.8

Q2

Chemistry, Physical

Cells

5.1

Q2

Cell Biology

Ceramics

2.7

Q1

Materials Science, Ceramics

Q3

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Chemengineering

2.8

Q2

Engineering, Chemical

Chemistry

2.4

Q3

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Chemosensors

3.7

Q2

Chemistry, Analytical

Q2

Electrochemistry

Q1

Instruments & Instrumentation

Children

2.0

Q2

Pediatrics

Clean Technologies

4.0

Q2

Engineering, Environmental

Q2

Environmental Sciences

Q3

Green & Sustainable Science & Technology

Climate

3.0

Q2

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences

Clinics and Practice

1.7

Q2

Medicine, General & Internal

Clocks & Sleep

2.1

Q3

Clinical Neurology

Q3

Neurosciences

Coatings

2.9

Q2

Materials Science, Coatings & Films

Q3

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Q2

Physics, Applied

Colloids and Interfaces

2.5

Q3

Chemistry, Physical

Computation

1.9

Q2

Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications

Computers

2.6

Q2

Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications

Condensed Matter

1.9

Q3

Physics, Condensed Matter

Cosmetics

3.4

Q2

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Q2

Dermatology

Cryptography

1.8

Q3

Computer Science, Information Systems

Q2

Computer Science, Theory & Methods

Crystals

2.4

Q2

Crystallography

Q3

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Current Issues in Molecular Biology

2.8

Q3

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Current Oncology

2.8

Q2

Oncology

Data

2.2

Q3

Computer Science, Information Systems

Q2

Multidisciplinary Sciences

Dentistry Journal

2.5

Q2

Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine

Dermatopathology

1.6

Q3

Dermatology

Diabetology

2.4

Q3

Endocrinology & Metabolism

Diagnostics

3.0

Q1

Medicine, General & Internal

Diseases

2.9

Q2

Medicine, Research & Experimental

Diversity

2.1

Q2

Biodiversity Conservation

Q3

Ecology

Drones

4.4

Q1

Remote Sensing

Earth

2.1

Q3

Environmental Sciences

Q3

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Ecologies

1.7

Q3

Ecology

Econometrics

1.1

Q3

Economics

Economies

2.1

Q2

Economics

Education Sciences

2.5

Q1

Education & Educational Research

Electronics

2.6

Q2

Computer Science, Information Systems

Q2

Engineering, Electrical & Electronic

Q2

Physics, Applied

Energies

3.0

Q3

Energy & Fuels

Entropy

2.1

Q2

Physics, Multidisciplinary

Environments

3.5

Q2

Environmental Sciences

Epigenomes

2.5

Q3

Genetics & Heredity

European Burn Journal

1.0

Q4

Critical Care Medicine

Q4

Dermatology

European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education

3.0

Q1

Psychology, Clinical

Fermentation

3.3

Q2

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Fibers

4.0

Q2

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Fire

3.0

Q2

Ecology

Q1

Forestry

Fishes

2.1

Q2

Fisheries

Q2

Marine & Freshwater Biology

Fluids

1.8

Q3

Mechanics

Q3

Physics, Fluids & Plasmas

Foods

4.7

Q1

Food Science & Technology

Forecasting

2.3

Q2

Multidisciplinary Sciences

Forests

2.4

Q1

Forestry

Fractal and Fractional

3.6

Q1

Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications

Fuels

2.7

Q3

Energy & Fuels

Q3

Engineering, Chemical

Future Internet

2.8

Q2

Computer Science, Information Systems

Galaxies

3.2

Q2

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Games

0.6

Q4

Economics

Q4

Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications

Q4

Social Sciences, Mathematical Methods

Gastroenterology Insights

1.5

Q3

Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Gastrointestinal Disorders

0.9

Q4

Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Gels

5.0

Q1

Polymer Science

Genealogy

0.8

Q3

Ethnic Studies

Q4

Family Studies

Q3

Sociology

Genes

2.8

Q2

Genetics & Heredity

Geosciences

2.4

Q2

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Geriatrics

2.1

Q3

Geriatrics & Gerontology

Healthcare

2.4

Q2

Health Care Sciences & Services

Q2

Health Policy & Services

Hemato

0.9

Q4

Hematology

Hematology Reports

1.1

Q4

Hematology

Heritage

2.0

N/A

Humanities, Multidisciplinary

Q2

Multidisciplinary Sciences

Horticulturae

3.1

Q1

Horticulture

Humanities

0.3

N/A

Humanities, Multidisciplinary

Hydrology

3.1

Q2

Water Resources

Immuno

2.1

Q4

Immunology

Infectious Disease Reports

3.4

Q2

Infectious Diseases

Informatics

3.4

Q2

Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications

Information

2.4

Q3

Computer Science, Information Systems

Infrastructures

2.7

Q2

Construction & Building Technology

Q2

Engineering, Civil

Q2

Transportation Science & Technology

Inorganics

3.1

Q2

Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear

Insects

2.7

Q1

Entomology

International Journal of Financial Studies

2.1

Q2

Business, Finance

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

4.9

Q1

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Q2

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

International Journal of Neonatal Screening

4.0

Q1

Genetics & Heredity

Q1

Pediatrics

International Journal of Turbomachinery Propulsion and Power

1.3

Q2

Engineering, Aerospace

Q3

Engineering, Mechanical

Inventions

2.1

Q2

Engineering, Multidisciplinary

ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information

2.8

Q2

Computer Science, Information Systems

Q2

Geography, Physical

Q2

Remote Sensing

Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease

2.4

Q2

Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems

Journal of Clinical Medicine

3.0

Q1

Medicine, General & Internal

Journal of Composites Science

3.0

Q2

Materials Science, Composites

Journal of Developmental Biology

2.2

Q3

Developmental Biology

Journal of Functional Biomaterials

5.0

Q1

Engineering, Biomedical

Q2

Materials Science, Biomaterials

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology

2.6

Q1

Sport Sciences

Journal of Fungi

4.2

Q2

Microbiology

Q1

Mycology

Journal of Imaging

2.7

Q3

Imaging Science & Photographic Technology

Journal of Intelligence

2.8

Q1

Psychology, Multidisciplinary

Journal of Low Power Electronics and Applications

1.6

Q3

Engineering, Electrical & Electronic

Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing

3.3

Q2

Engineering, Manufacturing

Q1

Engineering, Mechanical

Q2

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

2.7

Q1

Engineering, Marine

Q2

Engineering, Ocean

Q2

Oceanography

Journal of Personalized Medicine

3.0

Q2

Health Care Sciences & Services

Q1

Medicine, General & Internal

Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks

3.3

Q2

Computer Science, Information Systems

Q2

Telecommunications

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research

5.1

Q1

Business

Journal of Xenobiotics

6.8

Q1

Toxicology

Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens

2.1

Q2

Biodiversity Conservation

Journalism and Media

2.0

Q2

Communication

Land

3.2

Q2

Environmental Studies

Languages

0.9

N/A

Language & Linguistics

Q2

Linguistics

Laws

1.3

Q1

Law

Life

3.2

Q1

Biology

Logistics

3.6

Q2

Management

Q2

Operations Research & Management Science

Lubricants

3.1

Q2

Engineering, Mechanical

Machine Learning and Knowledge Extraction

4.0

Q2

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence

Q2

Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications

Q2

Engineering, Electrical & Electronic

Machines

2.1

Q3

Engineering, Electrical & Electronic

Q2

Engineering, Mechanical

Magnetochemistry

2.6

Q2

Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear

Q3

Chemistry, Physical

Q3

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Marine Drugs

4.9

Q1

Chemistry, Medicinal

Q1

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Materials

3.1

Q3

Chemistry, Physical

Q2

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Q1

Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering

Q2

Physics, Applied

Q2

Physics, Condensed Matter

Mathematical and Computational Applications

1.9

Q2

Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications

Mathematics

2.3

Q1

Mathematics

Medicina

2.4

Q1

Medicine, General & Internal

Membranes

3.3

Q2

Chemistry, Physical

Q2

Engineering, Chemical

Q2

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Q2

Polymer Science

Metabolites

3.4

Q2

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Metals

2.6

Q3

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Q2

Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering

Methods and Protocols

2.3

Q3

Biochemical Research Methods

Microbiology Research

2.1

Q3

Microbiology

Micromachines

3.0

Q2

Chemistry, Analytical

Q2

Instruments & Instrumentation

Q3

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Q2

Physics, Applied

Microorganisms

4.1

Q2

Microbiology

Minerals

2.2

Q2

Geochemistry & Geophysics

Q2

Mineralogy

Q2

Mining & Mineral Processing

Modelling

1.3

Q3

Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Molbank

0.6

Q4

Chemistry, Organic

Molecules

4.2

Q2

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Q2

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Multimodal Technologies and Interaction

2.4

Q3

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence

Q2

Computer Science, Cybernetics

Q3

Computer Science, Information Systems

Nanomaterials

4.4

Q2

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Q2

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Q2

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Q2

Physics, Applied

Neurology International

3.2

Q2

Clinical Neurology

Neurosci

1.6

Q3

Clinical Neurology

Q4

Neurosciences

Nitrogen

1.6

Q4

Environmental Sciences

Non-Coding RNA

3.6

Q2

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Q2

Genetics & Heredity

Nursing Reports

2.4

Q1

Nursing

Nutrients

4.8

Q1

Nutrition & Dietetics

Oceans

1.5

Q3

Marine & Freshwater Biology

Q3

Oceanography

Optics

1.1

Q4

Optics

Organics

1.4

Q3

Chemistry, Organic

Particles

1.7

Q3

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Q2

Physics, Nuclear

Q3

Physics, Particles & Fields

Pathogens

3.3

Q2

Microbiology

Pathophysiology

2.7

Q2

Pathology

Pediatric Reports

1.4

Q3

Pediatrics

Pharmaceuticals

4.3

Q2

Chemistry, Medicinal

Q1

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Pharmaceutics

4.9

Q1

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Pharmacy

2.0

Q3

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Philosophies

0.6

Q2

History & Philosophy of Science

N/A

Philosophy

Photonics

2.1

Q2

Optics

Physics

1.5

Q2

Physics, Multidisciplinary

Plants

4.0

Q1

Plant Sciences

Plasma

1.9

Q3

Physics, Fluids & Plasmas

Polymers

4.7

Q1

Polymer Science

Polysaccharides

4.7

Q1

Polymer Science

Processes

2.8

Q2

Engineering, Chemical

Prosthesis

2.8

Q4

Materials Science, Biomaterials

Proteomes

4.0

Q2

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Psychiatry International

1.2

Q4

Psychiatry

Publications

4.6

Q1

Information Science & Library Science

Quantum Beam Science

1.3

Q3

Instruments & Instrumentation

Q3

Materials Science, Characterization & Testing

Q4

Quantum Science & Technology

Quaternary

2.3

Q2

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Reactions

2.2

Q3

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Recycling

4.6

Q2

Green & Sustainable Science & Technology

Religions

0.7

N/A

Religion

Remote Sensing

4.2

Q2

Environmental Sciences

Q1

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Q2

Imaging Science & Photographic Technology

Q2

Remote Sensing

Reports

0.8

Q3

Medicine, General & Internal

Reproductive Medicine

1.1

Q4

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Q4

Reproductive Biology

Resources

3.6

Q2

Environmental Sciences

Q3

Green & Sustainable Science & Technology

Risks

2.0

Q2

Business, Finance

Robotics

2.9

Q2

Robotics

Safety

1.8

Q3

Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Scientia Pharmaceutica

2.3

Q3

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Sensors

3.4

Q2

Chemistry, Analytical

Q2

Engineering, Electrical & Electronic

Q2

Instruments & Instrumentation

Separations

2.5

Q3

Chemistry, Analytical

Sexes

1.2

Q2

Medicine, General & Internal

Q3

Psychology, Multidisciplinary

Q2

Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

Q2

Womens Studies

Smart Cities

7.0

Q1

Engineering, Electrical & Electronic

Q1

Urban Studies

Social Sciences

1.7

Q2

Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

Societies

1.7

Q2

Sociology

Soil Systems

2.9

Q2

Soil Science

Solids

2.4

Q3

Chemistry, Physical

Q3

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Sports

2.2

Q2

Sport Sciences

Stats

0.9

Q4

Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications

Q3

Statistics & Probability

Surfaces

2.3

Q3

Chemistry, Physical

Q3

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Surgical Techniques Development

0.1

Q4

Surgery

Sustainability

3.3

Q2

Environmental Sciences

Q2

Environmental Studies

Q3

Green & Sustainable Science & Technology

Symmetry

2.2

Q2

Multidisciplinary Sciences

Systems

2.3

Q1

Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

Technologies

4.2

Q1

Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Telecom

2.1

Q3

Telecommunications

Thalassemia Reports

0.6

Q4

Hematology

Tomography

2.2

Q2

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging

Toxics

3.9

Q2

Environmental Sciences

Q1

Toxicology

Toxins

3.9

Q2

Food Science & Technology

Q1

Toxicology

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease

2.8

Q2

Infectious Diseases

Q2

Parasitology

Q1

Tropical Medicine

Universe

2.5

Q2

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Q2

Physics, Particles & Fields

Urban Science

2.1

Q3

Environmental Sciences

Q3

Environmental Studies

Q2

Geography

Q3

Regional & Urban Planning

Q2

Urban Studies

Vaccines

5.2

Q1

Immunology

Q1

Medicine, Research & Experimental

Vehicles

2.4

Q2

Engineering, Mechanical

Q2

Transportation Science & Technology

Veterinary Sciences

2.0

Q2

Veterinary Sciences

Vibration

1.9

Q3

Engineering, Mechanical

Q3

Mechanics

Viruses

3.8

Q2

Virology

Water

3.0

Q2

Environmental Sciences

Q2

Water Resources

World

2.0

Q2

Economics

Q2

Political Science

Q1

Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

World Electric Vehicle Journal

2.6

Q2

Engineering, Electrical & Electronic

Q2

Transportation Science & Technology

Source: 2023 Journal Impact Factors, Journal Citation Reports TM (Clarivate, 2024)


About MDPI

A pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. MDPI is leading the transition to open science by making more research free and accessible to everyone. Over 3.5 million researchers have entrusted MDPI with publishing their scientific discoveries. MDPI’s editorial process is bolstered by a network of dedicated reviewers, a team of 6000 professional, well-trained staff members, and an in-house article submission platform that was designed to ensure efficient processes within its 440 fully open access titles.

14 June 2024
Meet Us at the ACS Fall 2024, 18−22 August 2024, Denver, USA


Conference: ACS Fall 2024
Organization: American Chemical Society
Date: 18–22 August 2024
Place: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
Booth ID: 1420

A variety of MDPI journals will be attending ACS Fall 2024 as exhibitors, an exciting event being held in Denver, USA, from 18 to 22 August 2024.

ACS Meetings & Expositions are where chemistry professionals meet to exchange ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. By attracting thousands of chemical professionals, the meetings provide excellent opportunities for peers to engage with each other and share their passion for chemistry, connecting with one of the world's largest scientific societies and helping to advance careers in this ever-changing global economy.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us at our booth #1420. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

11 June 2024
Meet Us at the 22nd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries (IMLB), 16–21 June 2024, Hong Kong, China


MDPI will be attending the 22nd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries (IMLB) 2024 in Hong Kong, China, which will take place from 16 to 21 June 2024. IMLB 2024 is a premier international conference on lithium battery science and technology, as well as current and future applications in transportation, commercial, aerospace, biomedical, and other promising sectors. Convening in Hong Kong, the conference is expected to draw 2,000 experts, researchers, and company representatives involved in the lithium battery field. This international meeting will discuss recent progress in advanced lithium batteries for energy storage and conversion. The meeting will focus on both basic and applied research findings that have led to improved Li battery materials, and to the understanding of the fundamental processes that determine and control electrochemical performance.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us at our booth #D06. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

7 June 2024
MDPI Calls for Greater Open Access to Science for Ocean Protection

On UNESCO’s 2024 Oceans Day, MDPI encourages the scientific community to increase the accessibility of ocean research to accelerate ocean conservation.

Basel, Switzerland, June 7, 2024: MDPI, a leading open access (OA) publisher, is proud to announce its active support for World Oceans Day 2024, celebrated under UNESCO’s Ocean Decade framework. MDPI’s CEO, Stefan Tochev hopes that “the latest ocean research can be made freely accessible to help empower scientists and communities at large to save our oceans,” under UNESCO’s Ocean Decade until 2030.

Open Access: A Catalyst for Ocean Action

MDPI’s presence at the UNESCO Ocean Decade Conference 2024 highlights our unwavering commitment to using OA to advance ocean science, support research communities, and promote sustainable ocean management.

"Our involvement in the UNESCO Ocean Decade Conference underscores MDPI's commitment to the underfunded Ocean SDG. By promoting OA to scientific articles and books on SDGs, we aim to inspire critical actions," said Tochev. "Our initiatives, like the World Sustainability Award and Emerging Sustainability Award, further demonstrate our dedication to advancing sustainability.”

Showcasing MDPI’s Contributions to Ocean Research

Over the past three years, MDPI has published 30,000 papers focused on ocean research and related topics. Key MDPI journals contributing to this body of work include:

  • Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (4.9k papers)
  • Remote Sensing (2.6k papers)
  • Sustainability (2k papers)
  • International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) (1.7k papers)
  • Marine Drugs (1.5k papers)
  • Water (1.5k papers)

These publications highlight MDPI’s contributions to ocean science, reinforcing our role in the broader sustainability agenda by promoting blue innovation and economy.

Additionally, MDPI has launched Oceans, an international, peer-reviewed forum specifically aimed at publishing studies related to all branches of oceanography with an emphasis on the functioning of the ocean and the sustainable use of its resources and ecosystem services.

Affirming MDPI’s Commitment to Ocean Science

MDPI’s commitment to OA is pivotal in addressing critical global challenges, from climate change to ocean sustainability. Our efforts resonate with Outcome 4 of the UNESCO Ocean Decade action roadmap: an accessible ocean with open and equitable access to data, information, technology, and innovation. By aligning with UNESCO’s goals, MDPI continues to contribute to shaping a sustainable future for our oceans, reinforcing our position as a forward-thinking publisher dedicated to environmental stewardship and scientific excellence.


For more information, contact Rui Duarte at rui.duarte@mdpi.com or +41764313242.


About MDPI

A pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. MDPI is leading the transition to open science by making more research free and accessible to everyone. Over 3.5 million researchers have entrusted MDPI with publishing their scientific discoveries. MDPI’s editorial process is bolstered by a network of dedicated reviewers, a team of over 6000 professional, well-trained staff members, and an in-house article submission platform that was designed to ensure efficient processes within its 430 fully open access titles.

 

6 June 2024
Prof. Dr. Karim Zaghib Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Batteries


We are pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Dr. Karim Zaghib as the new Editor-in-Chief of Batteries (ISSN: 2313-0105).

Name: Prof. Dr. Karim Zaghib
Affiliation: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 Boulevard de Maisonneuve, Montréal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada
Interests: Li-ion batteries and beyond; solid-state batteries; energy storage; photo-batteries; electrochemical generator; smart windows and electronic materials; hydrogen storage; carbon-supported catalysts

Prof. Dr. Karim Zaghib studied electrochemistry and earned his MS.c. (1987) and Ph.D. (1990) in electrochemistry at the Institute National Polytechnique de Grenoble, France. His Habilitation à diriger la recherche in physics was conferred by the Université de Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris (2002).Prof. Dr. Zaghib has played a determining role in research on lithium-ion batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles for over 30 years. As Director of Research at Hydro-Québec for 28 years, Prof. Dr. Zaghib oversaw its development of materials for lithium-ion batteries and led it to become the world’s first company to commercialize lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes. He was also one of the pioneers of the first photo-battery with two electrodes, and of megawatt-hours (MWh) high-capacity energy storage based on LFP/graphite, and he has made enormous contributions to the electrochemistry of ionic liquids for lithium-ion batteries.

Prof. Dr. Zaghib is currently the Director of the Collaborative Centres on Energy and its Transition (C2ET) at Concordia University, Canada, which aims to become the benchmark for the design and industrialization of energy systems based on renewable energy. Its mission is to design integrated systems based on electrochemical devices, new generations of batteries, and hydrogen production, in order to bring those systems equitably and affordably to market. Prof. Dr. Zaghib is also the CEO of Concordia’s $123M CFREF program, Volt-Age, where his focus is on attaining the net-zero electrification of transport both in urban environments and, in partnership with the Indigenous Clean Energy consortium, in northern, remote, and indigenous communities across Canada.

Prof. Dr. Zaghib’s leadership in battery development and electrochromics is undisputed globally. He is a co-author of 420 scientific publications (h-index 92, >28557 citations) and co-inventor on 973 patents for over 200 inventions associated with 63 licenses. He was chair of the 15th International Meeting on Lithium Batteries, the premier international conference on lithium battery science and technology, in 2010, as well as of the first International Conference on Olivines for Rechargeable Batteries in 2014. Most recently, Prof. Dr. Zaghib was named the chair of the 23rd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries, to be held in 2026, and was the driving force behind the successful bid to host the meeting in Montreal. His field-transforming research and innovation have also earned him numerous awards and distinctions. A Fellow of the Electrochemical Society and a recipient of its Battery Technology Division Award (2013), Prof. Dr. Zaghib is also a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Canada, and the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the only person ever to have received both the Research Award (2010) and the Technology Award (2017) of the International Battery Association. Among many other honors, he is the recipient of the Prix du Québec Lionel-Boulet (2019), the highest distinction for industrial and applied research and development awarded by the Government of Québec, and the Kalev-Pugi Award of the Society of Chemical Industry Canada (2022). Named a “Personality of the Year” by the magazine L’actualité in 2023, we are confident that his vision and leadership will steer Batteries towards new heights of success.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Karim Zaghib, 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 of its Editor-in-Chief?
Batteries, published by MDPI, stands out due to its commitment to high-quality, peer-reviewed research in the rapidly evolving field of energy storage. The journal's dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering innovation aligns perfectly with my own passion for this research area. The opportunity to lead a platform that brings together leading researchers and disseminates cutting-edge findings is incredibly appealing.

2. What is your vision for the journal?
My vision for Batteries is to establish it as a leading energy storage and battery technology publication. I aim to increase the journal's impact factor by attracting groundbreaking research and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. We will prioritize high standards of scientific rigor, promote innovative methodologies, and ensure the rapid dissemination of significant findings to advance the field.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
The future of energy storage research and energy transition is exceptionally promising. We are on the brink of significant advancements in battery technology, which will be crucial for the transition to renewable energy sources and the development of sustainable energy solutions. Innovations in materials science, electrochemistry, and engineering will drive the next generation of batteries, making them more efficient, durable, and environmentally friendly. Our research community will be vital in addressing global energy challenges and enabling a greener future.

4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
Open access is a transformative development in academic publishing. It democratizes knowledge by making research accessible to a broader audience, including scientists, industry professionals, policymakers, and the public. This increased accessibility accelerates the dissemination of scientific discoveries and promotes greater collaboration across disciplines. I strongly support open access publishing as it aligns with the principles of transparency, inclusivity, and the widespread sharing of knowledge, which are essential for the progress of science and society.

We warmly welcome Prof. Dr. Karim Zaghib to his new role as Editor-in-Chief, and we look forward to him leading Batteries to many more milestones.

5 June 2024
MDPI Sets a New Benchmark for Publishing Excellence


95% of authors rate MDPI’s publication process as excellent or good, setting a new benchmark in scientific publishing – reveals 2023 Annual Report. 

Basel, Switzerland, June 4, 2024: MDPI, the leading open access (OA) publisher, proudly announces the release of its 2023 Annual Report, detailing remarkable achievements and reaffirming its leadership in advancing OA publishing. In 2023, MDPI received 655,065 submissions, of which 285,244 articles were published. The company now commands a 17% market share in gold open access articles, with a median publication time of six weeks.

Stefan Tochev, MDPI's CEO, stated, "As a pioneer in open access publishing, MDPI has long been a game-changer in the scholarly community, serving millions of authors around the world to ensure the latest research is freely available. Reflecting on our incredible journey at MDPI, 2023 has been marked by growth in paper submissions, ambitious projects and initiatives aimed at improving our internal processes and delivering top-notch services to our scientists."

MDPI's 2023 Annual Report highlights several key achievements:

  • 17% market share in gold open access articles across all disciplines.
  • Record satisfaction rates: 95% of authors, 82% of reviewers, and 85% of guest editors.
  • Enhanced editorial standards and feedback processes.
  • Increased reach and impact with 54 new MDPI journal inclusions in Scopus, 29 in Web of Science, and 77 in DOAJ.

MDPI’s unwavering commitment to advancing OA has transformed the landscape of scholarly publishing, making high-quality research freely accessible to the global scientific community. The continuous improvement in our editorial standards and feedback processes underscores MDPI’s dedication to ensuring academic integrity and excellence.

Global Reach and Collaboration

MDPI’s global footprint continues to expand, with authors from diverse regions: 37% from Asia/Pacific, 36% from Europe, 15% from the Americas, and 12% from other parts of the world. The company’s fully OA platform attracted nearly 14 million monthly visitors in 2023, reflecting its widespread influence in the scientific community.

Commitment to Partnerships

With over 800 institutional partners, MDPI continues to demonstrate its dedication to providing reliable and collaborative publishing services. The introduction of a transparent flat-fee model highlights MDPI's ongoing efforts to enhance affordability and support to the academic community. For more details read our 2023 Annual Report.

For more information, contact Rui Duarte at rui.duarte@mdpi.com or +41764313242.


About MDPI

A pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. MDPI is leading the transition to open science by making more research free and accessible to everyone. Over 3.5 million researchers have entrusted MDPI with publishing their scientific discoveries. MDPI’s editorial process is bolstered by a network of dedicated reviewers, a team of over 6000 professional, well-trained staff members, and an in-house article submission platform that was designed to ensure efficient processes within its 430 fully open access titles.

 

4 June 2024
MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter #12 - First Term as CEO, Tu Youyou Award, Books Report

Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.

In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.


Opening Thoughts

Renewed Term as CEO of MDPI

I released the first CEO Letter at the end of June 2023, reflecting on my first month as CEO. Looking back at the first release, I’m pleased to see a marked consistency of content – from talking about open access (OA) and highlighting the great work being done at MDPI, to bringing together the science community with our conferences and building relations with our editorial board members and our industry as a whole.

For example, in the first letter, I highlighted our meeting with Dr. Eric O. Freed, the founding and current Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of our journal Viruses. Meeting with Eric is a pleasure, as he has a strong commitment and clear vision for the journal. 

On 21 May, 2024 we met with EiC Prof. Dr. Antonino Carbone, and Section EiC Prof. Dr. Alberto Signore (pictured on the left), of our journal Hemato (tracked for Impact Factor, and indexed in Scopus), showing our continued and active collaboration with our chief editors to develop the visions for the journal. Over the course of the day, we gathered feedback and gained an understanding of the journal's expectations and focus on strategic growth.

Reflections on my first year as CEO: achievements and initiatives

During my first year as CEO, there have been many remarkable moments, including a strong focus on bringing people together, focusing on company communications and performance.

According to a recent study of 3,400 people across 10 countries, “Managers impact employees’ mental health (69%) more than doctors (51%) or therapists (41%) — and even the same as a partner (69%).” This is an important topic for me, and perhaps that’s why I place a high value on management culture due to its tangible impact on people’s lives.

When I joined MDPI, I created a weekly meet-up for the Corporate Marketing department and their team leads. On the final Thursday of every month, we hold a Global Marketing meet-up to present projects, share knowledge, and conduct training. For years, I’ve maintained the tradition of ending each of our monthly global calls with a group photo to boost morale, motivation, and productivity, and to finish on a positive note.

In keeping with this, when I stepped into the role of CEO, I launched a bi-weekly management meeting, chairing over 20 MDPI Management Team meetings in my first year. These sessions provide an opportunity for managers to present their team’s work, focusing on their achievements and the challenges they face, while at the same time creating space for sharing knowledge.

“I firmly believe that OA is the future of publishing”

I co-organized and co-led the 2023 MDPI Strategy Management meeting this past October, from which we established an Executive Task Force that meets monthly to prioritize projects aimed at building MDPI into the world’s most trusted publisher. To achieve our goals, we as managers need to maintain collaborative communication and connect to the bigger picture.

As CEO, I focused on leadership communication by publishing 12 CEO Letters, one for each month of my tenure, to share more about MDPI news and achievements. I also produced ten videos to help further communicate our message.

I was happy to attend eight publishing and conference events, including STM in Frankfurt and Washington, APE, and R2R, and facilitate critical company meetings with Elsevier, Web of Science, ResearchGate, DOAJ, and others. It was a pleasure to meet and have discussions with key organizations and governing bodies such as CAS in China and ANVUR in Italy.

The best part was the opportunity to visit seven MDPI offices across Europe and Asia-Pacific, meeting with local managers and colleagues and supporting them in person. As part of this, I conducted training sessions while continuing to lead the Corporate Marketing department.

Looking ahead

My goal for my second year as CEO is to continue building on the initiatives from the past, including leadership communications, public relations, educational marketing, and company culture, while representing MDPI to the best of my ability. Additionally, I have a few new projects I hope to launch that I believe will be valuable to MDPI and the industry at large.

I firmly believe that OA is the future of publishing, and I am grateful to be in a position to advocate for this belief as part of MDPI, the world's leading open access publisher.

Thank you to our staff and industry friends for your genuine support in this role.

Impactful Research

Nominations Open for the Prestigious Tu Youyou Award 2024

I am pleased to share that MDPI has opened nominations for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, a prestigious recognition established in honour of Professor Tu Youyou, Nobel Laureate, whose work has significantly transformed the global fight against malaria.

The Tu Youyou Award offers CHF 100,000

In 2015, Professor Tu Youyou was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of artemisinin, significantly reducing mortality rates from malaria and shaping global health policies. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are now the standard treatment endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), saving countless lives, especially in regions heavily burdened by malaria.

MDPI Special Issue

To mark Professor Tu’s 80th birthday in 2009, MDPI’s journal Molecules issued a Special Issue focusing on her contributions to medical research. Recognizing her continuous contribution, MDPI created the Tu Youyou Award in 2016 to honour outstanding achievements in natural products and medicinal chemistry.

The deadline for nominations is 31 December 2024

Nominations are open to scientists excelling in natural products and medicinal chemistry. Eligible nominators include academic institutes, universities, and societies. The deadline for nominations is 31 December 2024, with the winners to be announced on 30 April 2025. The Tu Youyou Award offers CHF 100,000, split equally among the winners.

MDPI encourages the academic community to nominate individuals who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in line with Professor Tu’s legacy. This award not only honours individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

This award embodies our deep commitment to groundbreaking research that drives societal progress and celebrates the legacy of one of the greatest medical innovators of our time.

Inside MDPI

2023 MDPI Books Report

In past CEO letters, I have highlighted our publishing process and the impactful peer-reviewed articles that represent the core output of scholarly publishing. However, scholarly books are another pillar of publishing that MDPI also services, which our core audience may not be fully aware of. In this section, I highlight the 2023 MDPI Books report, released by our MDPI Books team in May 2024.

Download the 2023 MDPI Books Report

In the report, you will find a summary of MDPI Books’ 10th anniversary, the books indexed in the Web of Science Book Citation Index, our market outreach, and our outlook for 2024.

MDPI Books celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023

MDPI Books published its first OA Reprint, “From the Renaissance to the Modern World,” in 2013. Over the past ten years, MDPI Books has seen a significant increase in both the volume and nature of published Reprints. As of December 2023, our catalogue includes a total of 7,369 Reprints, with 1,811 of them added in 2023 alone. MDPI Books includes monographs, book series, edited books and reprints of special issues and topical collections, among other book types.

We’re also celebrating the 10-year MDPI anniversary of Laura Wagner, Head of MDPI Books.

Laura Wagner (Head of Books Division)

Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and History from the University of Basel. After her studies, she started her career at an art gallery in Basel.

Since joining MDPI in 2014, Laura has held several roles within the company. This included editorial work, development of reprint and book services, and the temporary management of the journal Arts.

Currently Laura holds the role of Head of Books Division and is in charge of the development and strategic direction of MDPI Books.

MDPI Books indexed in Web of Science Book Citation Index

Another milestone in 2023 was the indexing of four book titles in the Web of Science Book Citation Index. The indexing of our open access books is crucial for their reach and accessibility, ensuring higher visibility within the open science community.

  1. Self-Representation in an Expanded Field: From Self-Portraiture to Selfie, Contemporary Art in the Social Media Age by editor Ace Lehner
  2. Towards Socially Integrative Cities: Perspectives on Urban Sustainability in Europe and China by editors Bernhard Müller, Jian Liu, Jianming Cai, Paulina Schiappacasse, Hans-Martin Neumann, and Baojun Yang
  3. Transitioning to Gender Equality by editors Christa Binswanger and Andrea Zimmermann
  4. Under Construction: Performing Critical Identity by editor Marie-Anne Kohl

If you would like to learn more about MDPI Books, please visit: www.mdpi.com/books

If you are thinking of writing or editing a book, you can submit your proposal at www.mdpi.com/books/publish-with-us, or email us at books@mdpi.com.

Coming Together for Science

Polymers 2024 – Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future

Our conference team successfully managed the Polymers 2024 – Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future international conference which took place from 28–31 May 2024 in Athens, Greece. The conference was chaired by Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Bikiaris and Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Triantafyllidis from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and Dr. Ioanna Deligkiozi from AXIA Innovation, Germany. In total, the conference had 259 accepted abstracts and over 300 attendees from 22 different countries.

The conference featured three keynote speakers and 12 invited speakers, including esteemed scholars from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Canada. It included 60 selected talks and 189 posters, chosen by the 24 members of the Scientific Committee along with the three Conference Chairs. The event explored the latest scientific advancements and innovations in polymer science, focusing on creating safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly materials. Emphasizing green polymer chemistry and the use of bioresources, the conference promoted the synthesis of biobased and biodegradable polymers.

The conference featured esteemed scholars from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Canada

Conference awards

The conference also presented three awards: two sponsored by the journal Polymers – The Best Poster Award (€500) and the Best Oral Presentation Award (€600) – and one sponsored by Ossila, the Best Student Poster Award (€500).

Thank you to our 16 sponsors, three partnering societies (Hellenic Polymer Society, European Polymer Federation, and North American Thermal Analysis Society [NATAS]) and eight media partners.

Upcoming in-person event

1–4 August, 2024
The 1st International Conference on AI Sensors & The 10th International Symposium on Sensor Science
Location: Singapore

The AI Sensors 2024 Conference will unite innovators and experts in the realms of sensors, sensing technology, and artificial intelligence.

Find more upcoming MDPI events here.

Closing Thoughts

3rd World Forum Principles of Scientific Publications

I’m pleased to share that MDPI sponsored and attended the 3rd World Forum on Principles of Scientific Publications, which took place from 22–24 May in Malaga, Spain. The event brought together academic professionals and leading researchers to discuss critical topics in the realm of publishing and research. Presentation topics included Open Science, AI in Publishing, Predatory Journals, Fake Publications, Challenges for Non-native English Speakers, and more.

“It was great to see strong support from MDPI authors in the audience”

MDPI presentations


Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) presenting at the 3rd World Forum Principles of Scientific Publications

I had the privilege of attending and presenting at the event, along with my colleague Dr. Enric Sayas (Business Analyst, MDPI) from our Barcelona office, who explored the ethical concerns and opportunities brought by AI in publishing.

I took the opportunity to present on Open Science, the benefits of Open Access, and MDPI’s performance, operations, and investment in ethics. Special thanks to Evan Escamilla (Project Manager, MDPI Books) and Facundo Santomé (Sr. Marketing Manager, MDPI) who also joined the conference.

It was great to see strong support from MDPI authors in the audience who shared their positive experiences publishing with us. Their story reflects the experience of the vast majority of authors who choose to work with MDPI.

We also encountered some conservative views on OA, which created an opportunity for open discussion aimed at addressing concerns about OA and MDPI. Engaging in such discussions is important, as scepticism sometimes arises from misinformation or from a misunderstanding of who we are and how we operate. When we engage in open and honest discussion, we tend to see people getting a better understanding of MDPI, which helps address any misconceptions they may have had.


Left to right: Dr. Enric Sayas (Business Analyst, MDPI), Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Facundo Santomé (Sr. Marketing Manager, MDPI), and Evan Escamilla (Project Manager, MDPI Books) at 3rd World Forum Principles of Scientific Publications

Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

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