Announcements

Conference: The 23rd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries (IMLB 2026)
Organization: IMLB and Volt-Age CONCORDIA
Date: 14–19 June 2026
Place: Montréal Convention Centre, Montreal, Canada

The IMLB 2026 Scientific and Organizing Committees are pleased to invite you to the 23rd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries in Montréal, Canada from 14 to 19 June 2026.

IMLB 2026 is the premier international conference on the state of lithium battery science and technology, as well as current and future applications in transportation, commercial, aerospace, biomedical, and other promising sectors. Convening in Montréal, the conference is expected to draw around 2,000 experts, researchers, and company representatives involved in the lithium battery field.

This international meeting will provide an exciting forum to discuss recent progress in advanced lithium batteries for energy storage and conversion. The programme will focus on both basic and applied research findings that have improved Li battery materials and led to a deeper understanding of the fundamental processes determining and controlling electrochemical performance. A major (but not exclusive) theme of the meeting will address recent advances beyond lithium-ion technologies, covering a wide range of topics in lithium battery science and technology.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Batteries;
• Clean Technologies;
• Solids;
• Electricity;
• Metals;
• ChemEngineering;
• Safety;
• Vehicles;
• Energy Storage and Applications;
• Physchem;
• Micro;
• Membranes;
• Powders;
• Materials;
• Reactions;
• Electrochem;
• Surfaces;
• Applied Nano;
• Electronic Materials.

If you are attending the 23rd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries, we invite you to visit us at our booth. Our representatives will be available to discuss publishing opportunities and the benefits of open access, as well as answer any questions that you may have.

Join us in Montreal to discover what is next in lithium battery science and technology! For more information about the conference, please visit its official website at https://imlb.org/.

Name: Prof. Dr. Yaxiang Lu
Affiliation: Key Laboratory for Renewable Energy, Institute of Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Research Interests: low-cost and high-performance electrode materials; compatible and robust electrode/electrolyte interfaces; the structure–property relationships of materials; new energy storage systems such as aqueous Na/K-ion batteries

Prof. Dr. Yaxiang Lu is a professor at the Institute of Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOP-CAS). Her research focuses on advanced electrode and electrolyte materials, interface engineering, and sodium storage mechanisms for Na-ion batteries. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed papers in leading scientific journals including Science and Nature Energy, accumulating more than 15,000 citations and an H-index of 60. Additionally, she co-authored a book titled “Na-Ion Batteries: Science and Technology”. Her recent honors include the China Youth May Fourth Medal (2026), the Batteries Young Investigator Award (2025), the China Youth Science and Technology Award (2024), the Energy Storage Materials Young Scientist Award (2023), and the First Prize of the Beijing Science and Technology Award (2022).

The following is an interview with Prof. Dr. Yaxiang Lu:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?
I am a researcher at the Institute of Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOP-CAS), where I focus on sodium-ion battery technology, particularly the development of key materials and underlying energy storage mechanisms. My work centers on addressing the resource limitations of lithium by advancing safe, low-cost, and high-performance sodium-based alternatives aligned with national energy strategies.
Currently, I am especially interested in the design of novel electrode and electrolyte materials for solid-state sodium batteries. The overarching goal is to simultaneously enhance energy density, cycling stability, and safety, critical pillars for the next generation of sustainable energy storage systems.

2. Could you elaborate on how you initially learned about the Batteries journal? Furthermore, what inspired you to apply for the Batteries Young Investigator Award 2025?
I first got to know Batteries when I was invited to join the journal’s Early Career Advisory Board. That role introduced me to the editorial team and the journal’s mission, and I later had the chance to attend an in-person editorial meeting, which deepened my appreciation for its community-oriented approach.
As an active researcher in solid-state batteries, I also contributed a review article on halide-based solid electrolytes, an emerging class of materials with high ionic conductivity and good stability, which was published in Batteries.
Given that our daily work revolves entirely around battery materials and devices, it means a great deal to be recognized by a journal so closely connected to our field. Receiving the Batteries Young Investigator Award 2025 is both a personal honor and a strong encouragement for our team’s ongoing efforts to develop intrinsically safe and resource-sustainable energy storage technologies.

3. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Focus on solving real-world problems: ground your research in genuine scientific or societal challenges. Ask yourself: Does this work address a significant gap or need? Impactful research often starts with the right question.
Cultivate original and creative thinking–don’t just follow trends. Strive to develop novel ideas, approaches, or perspectives that push boundaries. Innovation often happens at the intersection of disciplines, so stay curious beyond your immediate field.
Maintain the drive to test ideas rigorously: having a great idea isn’t enough, be willing to design careful experiments, iterate through failures, and validate your hypotheses with solid evidence. Persistence and hands-on effort turn concepts into credible contributions.
Communicate your work effectively through high-quality publications: publishing in reputable, peer-reviewed journals is essential for sharing knowledge, gaining visibility, and contributing to the global scientific dialogue.

4. What’s the secret to a happy scientific life? Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research and how did you overcome them?
A happy scientific life isn’t about avoiding hardship, it’s about finding meaning and growth within it. Like many researchers, I’ve certainly faced my share of challenges: repeated experimental failures, weeks or even months with no fresh ideas, moments of self-doubt, and more. What helped me most was learning to reframe obstacles not as signs of failure or inadequacy, but as natural parts of the research process. I also made a habit of seeking feedback early, breaking overwhelming problems into manageable steps, and taking time to acknowledge small victories. Often, simply talking with a trusted colleague reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that sense of connection made all the difference.

5. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
I support the open access (OA) publishing model in principle, it promotes wider dissemination of knowledge, accelerates scientific progress, and ensures public access to research, especially for institutions and individuals without expensive journal subscriptions.
However, the current reliance on high article processing charges (APCs) shifts the financial burden from readers to authors, which can disadvantage researchers from low-income countries or underfunded institutions. A more equitable open access system should explore alternative funding models to ensure broad accessibility without compromising fairness.

6. Which research topics do you think are of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
In my opinion in the coming years, key research directions in the battery community will include:

• Intrinsic safety: developing inherently stable materials and systems free from thermal runaway risks;
• Batteries for extreme conditions: enabling reliable operation under extreme temperatures, pressure, or radiation;
• Novel battery chemistries, such as solid-state K⁺/Zn²⁺/H^- batteries, multivalent systems (e.g., Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺), and dual-ion batteries, among others;
• Materials recycling and sustainability: establishing closed-loop, low-energy recycling to secure critical resources;
• AI for batteries: integrating artificial intelligence to accelerate materials discovery, interface engineering, and lifetime prediction.

7. Could you share your vision for the future of your research and the contributions you aspire to make in the field of batteries?
Looking ahead, my research aims to push the boundaries of solid-state sodium-ion batteries through several interconnected goals.
First, we are developing novel amorphous sodium-ion solid electrolytes, particularly halide- and oxyhalide-based systems that combine high ionic conductivity, wide electrochemical stability, and intrinsic safety. Paired with compatible high-capacity electrode materials, these innovations aim to significantly boost both energy density and thermal reliability.
Second, we seek to unravel the fundamental mechanisms governing ion transport in disordered solid electrolytes. Understanding how local structure, defects, and interfaces influence Na⁺ migration will guide the rational design of next-generation materials.
Finally, we are actively integrating artificial intelligence and high-throughput computational screening into our discovery pipeline. By combining data-driven approaches with targeted experiments, we hope to accelerate the development cycle of solid-state battery materials from concept to prototype in a more efficient and sustainable way.
Ultimately, I aspire to contribute practical, scalable solutions that help realize safe, low-cost, and resource-abundant energy storage for a decarbonized future.

8. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone to thank the most?
As the recipient of this award, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to several people who have made this recognition possible.
First and foremost, I am profoundly thankful to Academician Liquan Chen for his constant encouragement, visionary guidance, and unwavering support for solid-state battery research in China. His pioneering spirit continues to inspire our entire field.
I also owe immense thanks to my colleagues at the Institute of Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences—our daily scientific exchanges, collaborative problem-solving, and shared dedication have been instrumental to our progress.
Finally, none of this work would be possible without my students. Their curiosity, hard work, and late nights in the lab are the true engine behind every result we publish. This award belongs to them as much as it does to me.

This Academic Publishing Workshop will be led by MDPI Regional Engagement Editor, Dr. Barnaby Crook. Dr. Crook will present on the topic “The Academic Publishing Landscape”.

Participants will be informed about the key features of scientific journals and receive practical advice on choosing an appropriate journal to which to submit their own research. They will also receive an introduction to contemporary issues in publication ethics and guidance on how to avoid ethical pitfalls. Finally, attendees will learn about how AI is affecting academic publishing and how they can use it safely and effectively in their own research.

Date: 27 April 2026
Time: 16:30–17:30 p.m. (AST/EDT)
Venue: Online (Zoom)

Speaker:

Dr. Barnaby Crook completed an MA in philosophy and neuroscience at Humboldt University of Berlin in 2021 and a PhD in the philosophy of artificial intelligence at the University of Bayreuth in 2025. After moving from Germany to Toronto, Dr. Crook began working for MDPI as an Assistant Editor with the journal IJERPH. He now works as a Regional Engagement Editor for North America. In this role, Dr. Crook builds and maintains relationships with academic stakeholders, fostering collaboration and developing partnerships. He is passionate about scientific communication and research integrity.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Name: Dr. Xiangwen Wang
Affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Research interests: computational chemistry; electrolytes; batteries; deep learning; state-of-charge estimation

The following is a short interview with Dr. Xiangwen Wang:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?
I am a Research Associate at the University of Manchester, working at the interface of physically informed AI, molecular modelling, and materials discovery. My research focuses on developing interpretable machine-learning and simulation approaches to uncover structure–property relationships and accelerate the design of functional systems.

2. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
I think research on data-driven materials discovery, especially the combination of AI with physics-based and chemical understanding, will attract growing interest in the coming years. In the battery field, topics such as electrolyte design, interfacial chemistry, and the development of more sustainable and high-performance energy-storage materials are likely to remain particularly important.

3. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
Open access publishing is very valuable because it makes research more visible and accessible to a wider community, including researchers from different disciplines and institutions. It is also important to ensure that the publishing process maintains high standards of quality and fairness.

4. What do you think are the main criteria that should be taken seriously in the process of reviewing manuscripts?
I think the most important criteria are originality, scientific rigour, and whether the work is complete and balanced, without overstating its contribution. A good review should also consider clarity, reproducibility, and whether the conclusions are well supported by the data.

5. What’s the secret to a happy scientific life? Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research and how did you overcome them?
The secret to a happy scientific life is to stay curious, be patient, and enjoy the process of learning and discovery. Of course, research can be difficult, especially when working across different fields or when results do not come as expected, but I have learned to overcome these challenges by breaking problems into smaller steps, keeping an open mind, and learning through discussion and collaboration.

6. As the winner of this award, is there something you would like to express your gratitude to or someone you would like to thank the most?
I am very grateful to the editors and the Batteries journal for this recognition. I also hope that through reviewing and engaging with the journal, I can continue learning from high-quality research and contribute to the community in a meaningful way.

Name: Dr. Kai Zhang
Affiliation: School of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Research interests: chemo-mechanical coupling; solid mechanics; lithium-ion battery

Dr. Zhang is an Associate Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Tongji University. He received his bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics in 2007 and his PhD in mechanics in 2011 from Tongji University, respectively. He has long been engaged in fundamental theoretical and applied research on the chemo-mechanical coupling of lithium-ion batteries. He has published more than 100 SCI papers in total, among which more than 50 are first- or corresponding-author papers, and two of his papers have been selected as ESI highly cited papers.

The following is an interview with Dr. Kai Zhang:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?
I am an Associate Professor at the School of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Tongji University. My primary research field is solid mechanics, with a strong focus on the interdisciplinary area where mechanics intersects with battery technology. Specifically, I investigate the chemo-mechanical coupling between the mechanical behavior and electrochemical processes of electrode materials.

2. Could you elaborate on how you initially learned about the Batteries journal? Furthermore, what inspired you to apply for the Batteries Outstanding Reviewer Award 2025?
The first time I became aware of the Batteries journal was during my collaboration with Dr. Hüger at Clausthal University of Technology and Prof. Yang at the University of Kentucky. We had just completed a manuscript, and Dr. Hüger recommended submitting it to Batteries, which he regarded as a reputable and highly suitable journal in his field. Since then, I have received numerous peer-review invitations from Batteries and have devoted considerable time to reviewing manuscripts and providing detailed recommendations.

3. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
There is no doubt that research integrating AI and machine learning into energy applications has attracted extensive attention. At present, however, the majority of such studies focus primarily on SOC and SOH predictions or on the application of PINNs to solve governing equations. I believe that a much broader range of uses for AI and machine learning tools in the energy domain is both needed and anticipated.

4. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
I think open access is one effective way to promote a more transparent and equitable academic ecosystem. That said, the open access publishing model must strictly uphold quality standards and adopt a reasonable APC.

5. Which qualities do you think reviewers need? Do you have anything to say to other reviewers?
In my opinion, the most essential qualities of a good reviewer are keen insight and a prompt response. Additionally, reviewers should feel free to decline invitations for manuscripts outside their area of expertise. This not only ensures a higher quality review but also helps editors quickly identify more suitable reviewers, saving valuable time in the process.

6. What do you think are the main criteria that should be taken seriously in the process of reviewing manuscripts?
Of course the academic integrity. Reviewers should pay special attention to whether the details of the model are clearly described and whether the results are reproducible. For machine learning papers, additional attention should be given to whether the training dataset is reasonably split, whether there is any time leakage, and whether there is data leakage between the training set and the validation set.

7. Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share?
As I mentioned earlier, the majority of current research using AI and machine learning tools in energy applications still focuses heavily on time-series predictions. In my view, journals should be more selective in accepting papers on this topic unless the work demonstrates substantial and meaningful progress. Simply combining or permuting existing mature models typically offers limited novelty and scientific value.

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.