Announcements

We are honored to recognize the 2024 MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers—scholars whose exemplary commitment to rigorous and constructive peer review is vital in upholding the highest standards of academic publishing.

Selected from a distinguished pool of 215,000 reviewers from 65 countries and regions worldwide, these honorees stand out for their exceptional expertise, diligence, and dedication to advancing research through timely and thoughtful reviews. Their constructive and impartial feedback ensures the publication of high-quality, impactful research, while their timely reviews facilitate swift revisions and faster publication of innovative work.

Peer review is the invisible foundation of academic progress. With gratitude and respect, we celebrate these 1000 scholars who made that foundation stronger in 2024. We respected all privacy preferences, with part of nominees opting for limited attribution.

The names of these reviewers are listed below in alphabetical order by first name:

To advance the high-quality development of the automotive and engine (including aircraft engine) industries and to promote the practical application of AI in tribology research, Donghua University and the Tribology Division of the Shanghai Society of Mechanical Engineering will host the 16th International Annual Workshop on Tribology in Automotive Industry in Songjiang District, Shanghai, from 17 to 19 October 2025.

This workshop is positioned as one focused on tribology issues within the automotive and engine industries, with an emphasis on fundamental and engineering applications of friction, wear, and lubrication. It highlights the application of AI and deep learning in base lubricant formulation, surface engineering and coating optimization, data-driven tribology modeling, and in-service condition monitoring and remaining useful life prediction.

The following MDPI journal will be represented:

• Lubricants;
• Coatings.

If you are planning to attend this conference, feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: 16th-international-annual-workshop-on-tribology.

Nobel Prizes are the world’s most prestigious recognition of scientific breakthroughs, honoring discoveries that push the boundaries of knowledge and reshape entire fields. They bring into the public eye researchers whose work might otherwise remain known only within specialized circles.

For many, winning a Nobel Prize is a surreal experience. Laureates often describe a mix of joy, humility, reflection, and gratitude for the teams and collaborators whose contributions made the achievement possible. Behind every Nobel-winning idea lies years of careful, incremental work—a process that often goes unseen.

When Prof. Steven Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in Physics in October 1979, his wife Louise, a legal scholar, reminded him to keep doing the ordinary hard work of science, joking: “Now you have to write some unimportant papers.” True to form, Weinberg continued to push the boundaries of our understanding of the Universe, showing that curiosity and dedication extend far beyond the moment of recognition (Hofmann 2025: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/17/6/840).

Discover the science behind the world’s most transformative ideas

Over the years, dozens of Nobel laureates have published their work with MDPI, entrusting our open access journals to disseminate their findings to a global audience. As of 2024, more than 40 laureates have contributed over 115 articles across 35 journals, ranging from pioneering research on microRNAs and mRNA therapeutics, to fundamental insights in theoretical physics, and advances in structural biology.

We regularly spotlight how Nobel Prize–winning research intersects with the contributions of our authors. This not only celebrates the achievements of the laureates, but also underscores the role of open access in ensuring that transformative science reaches the widest possible audience.

On this page, we invite you to explore selected works by Nobel laureates within the MDPI portfolio, and to join us in celebrating the global impact of their ideas.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 will be announced on October 6 at 11:30 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.

The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physiology or Medicine Roundtable
6 October 2025, 03:30 pm (CEST)
You are welcome to watch the recording here!

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 will be announced on October 7 at 11:45 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.

The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physics Roundtable
7 October 2025, 02:30 pm (CEST)
You are welcome to watch the recording here!

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 will be announced on October 8 at 11:45 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.

World Architecture Day, observed annually on the first Monday of October, is a global initiative that highlights the critical role of architecture in addressing societal challenges while promoting sustainable and equitable development of built environments. Established by the International Union of Architects (UIA) in 1985, this day has become a vital platform for advancing architectural innovation and raising public awareness about the transformative power of design.

Aligned with the 2025 theme, “Design for Strength”, and Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Sustainable Cities and Communities), MDPI emphasizes the need for resilient, adaptive, and inclusive architectural solutions. In an era of rapid urbanization and climate uncertainty, architects and researchers are pioneering groundbreaking approaches—from disaster-resistant structures to carbon-neutral materials—that fundamentally redefine how we build and inhabit spaces.

Join us in celebrating World Architecture Day and supporting initiatives that empower architects to create a more sustainable and resilient future. Together, we can shape built environments that not only withstand the tests of time and transformation but also foster equity, well-being, and harmony between humanity and nature.

Invited Speakers:

Prof. Dr. Derek Clements-Croome, University of Reading, UK	Dr. Paris Fokaides, Frederick University, Cyprus	Dr. Ehsan Harirchian, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany	Prof. Dr. Umberto Berardi, Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy

Free to register for this webinar here!

We are honored to interview Dr. Paris Fokaides from Frederick University, Cyprus, on his research journey and insight.

Name: Dr. Paris Fokaides Affiliation: School of Engineering, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus “Academic work on ‘design for strength’ must integrate performance simulations, life cycle thinking, and smart readiness assessments to ensure designs are not only safe and durable, but also sustainable and responsive.” Please read the full interview here.

“Comparison of Pulse-Echo Tomography and Through-Transmission Ultrasonic Test for UPV Characterization of Building Materials”
by Emilia Vasanelli, Davide Di Gennaro, Matteo Sticchi, Gianni Blasi and Luigi Capozzoli
Infrastructures 2025, 10(7), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10070162

“An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage”
by Michael Hensel, Jakub Tyc, Albin Ahmeti and Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel
Land 2025, 14(4), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040840

“AI-Driven Innovations in Building Energy Management Systems: A Review of Potential Applications and Energy Savings”
by Dalia Mohammed Talat Ebrahim Ali, Violeta Motuzienė and Rasa Džiugaitė-Tumėnienė
Energies 2024, 17(17), 4277; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174277

“Application of Long-Period Fiber Grating Sensors in Structural Health Monitoring: A Review”
by Ying Zhuo, Pengfei Ma, Pu Jiao and Xinzhe Yuan
CivilEng 2024, 5(3), 559–575; https://doi.org/10.3390/civileng5030030

“Recycling Potential of Construction Materials: A Comparative Approach”
by Matan Mayer
Constr. Mater. 2024, 4(1), 238–250; https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater4010013

“A New Method for Defining the Optimal Separation Gap Distance and the Acceptable Structural Pounding Risk on Multistory RC Structures”
by Maria G. Flenga and Maria J. Favvata
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031165

“A Simple and Effective Method to Evaluate Seismic Maximum Floor Velocities for Steel-Framed Structures with Supplementary Dampers”
by Alexia Kosmidou, Foteini Konstandakopoulou, Nikos Pnevmatikos, Panagiotis G. Asteris and George Hatzigeorgiou
Appl. Mech. 2023, 4(4), 1114–1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech4040057

“Effects of Chemicals Exposure on the Durability of Geopolymer Concrete Incorporated with Silica Fumes and Nano-Sized Silica at Varying Curing Temperatures”
by Sagar Paruthi, Ibadur Rahman, Asif Husain, Mohd Abul Hasan and Afzal Husain Khan
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6332; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186332

“Innovative and Sustainable Composite Material for the Seismic and Energetic Upgrade of Historic Masonry Buildings”
by Dora Pugliese, Valerio Alecci, Rosa Romano, Gianfranco Stipo, Mario De Stefano and Antonio Nanni
Fibers 2023, 11(9), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib11090076

“Evaluation of the Performance and Durability of Self-Cleaning Treatments Based on TiO2 Nanoparticles Applied to Cement-Based Renders and Boards”
by Alberto Fregni, Luca Venturi and Elisa Franzoni
Coatings 2023, 13(6), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13060990

“Predicting Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings Using Advanced Machine Learning Algorithms”
by Fateme Dinmohammadi, Yuxuan Han and Mahmood Shafiee
Energies 2023, 16(9), 3748; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093748

“Key Building Design and Construction Lessons from the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquakes”
by Iftekhar Ahmed
Architecture 2023, 3(1), 104–106; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture3010007

“Resilience and Sustainability in Architecture and Urban Planning: Policies, Practices, Strategies and Visions, 2nd Edition” Guest Editors: Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed, Dr. Sandra Carrasco, Dr. Ranit Chatterjee and Dr. Thomas Cooper-Johnson Submission deadline: 31 December 2025	“BioCognitive Architectural Design” Guest Editors: Dr. Michal Gath-Morad and Prof. Dr. Koen Steemers Submission deadline: 31 December 2025
“Incorporating Advanced New or Recycled Materials in Reinforced Concrete Structures” Guest Editors: Dr. Ayman El-Zohairy, Dr. Antonio Caggiano and Prof. Dr. Baoguo Han Submission deadline: 20 February 2026	“Mineral and Metal Materials in Civil Engineering” Guest Editors: Dr. Dušan Arsić and Dr. Ružica R. Nikolić Submission deadline: 31 March 2026

Date: 23 September 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m
Location: The Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto

MDPI is thrilled to announce our participation in the University of Toronto’s largest career fair, taking place at the St. George Downtown Campus. This exciting event brings together thousands of students, graduates, and professionals looking to connect with top employers and explore career opportunities.

We invite all attendees to visit the MDPI booth to discover how you can be part of one of the world’s leading open access academic publishers. Whether you are passionate about scientific research, editorial work, marketing, or supporting global innovation in publishing, we want to meet YOU!

What to expect at our booth:

• Learn more about MDPI’s mission and global impact;
• Explore exciting career opportunities in publishing, editorial, communications, and more;
• Network with our team and ask questions about working at MDPI.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to take the next step, don’t miss this opportunity to connect with MDPI. Bring your resume, your curiosity, and your questions—we look forward to seeing you there!

For additional information on the Career Fair and Open MDPI positions, please visit the following links:

• Learn more about the U of T Career Fair;
• Explore Careers with MDPI Canada.

We are delighted to invite the winner of the Coatings 2024 Best Paper Award, Dr. Rodolpho Vaz, to discuss the review paper “A Review of Advances in Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing”. The paper was published in Coatings (ISSN: 2079-6412) and discussed the examination of the advancements in Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) over the past decade. We hope you enjoy the interview below:

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself to our readers? Could you share your current research focus and the latest developments in your work?
My name is Rodolpho Fernando Váz, PhD in engineering and applied sciences from the Universitat de Barcelona (Spain), MSc in mechanical engineering from the Universidade Federal do Paraná (Brazil), and BSc in mechanical engineering from the same institution. Over the past 20 years, I have dedicated my career to the development, characterization, and application of wear-resistant coatings, particularly cermets and Fe-based systems. My work has primarily focused on thermal spraying processes, especially arc spraying and high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF).

In the last six years, I have also concentrated on advancing Cold Spray as an Additive Manufacturing technique by developing new robotic strategies for building complex geometries and by applying various post-treatments to improve the mechanical properties of fabricated parts, particularly cohesion and strength.

I am currently a researcher at the Center for Thermal Spraying Research (CTSR) at Stony Brook University (United States). My present research focuses on understanding and mapping the cross-effects of HVOF processing parameters, coating stress evolution, and binder composition on the wear performance of WC–Co cermets for severe wear applications.

To date, I have published 33 peer-reviewed papers, delivered 37 conference presentations, and accumulated 486 citations (h-index: 13). In addition, I am the co-inventor on 1 patent, have participated in 17 R&D projects (as researcher, project manager, or principal investigator), and completed over 260 peer reviews of scientific papers, among other academic and professional activities.

2. Could you provide a brief overview of the main content of your award-winning paper?
When I began researching cold spray, I observed that many researchers and institutions were exploring diverse approaches to characterize the deposits, developing strategies for part fabrication, and enhancing the mechanical properties of materials, such as strength. In this context, we—the co-authors—compiled the most relevant and novel findings from the last decade, which resulted in a review article published in Coatings. This work summarizes and discusses the most influential parameters of the cold spray process, including processing parameters (gas temperature and pressure, which determine particle velocity); robotic movement strategies to improve deposit density and geometric accuracy; feedstock material selection (e.g., spherical vs. irregular powders, or small vs. large particle sizes); and post-treatment techniques such as heat treatments and hot isostatic pressing.

Beyond summarizing the results and conclusions reported in high-impact journals by leading scholars in the CSAM field, the article also addresses existing controversies and highlights current knowledge gaps. These aspects must still be resolved to reliably predict and control the capabilities of Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) for producing high-performance components and to support the consolidation of this technique in industrial applications.

3. What do you think are the key elements for writing a successful review paper? Could you describe some challenges and breakthroughs in your research field?

I see the very first step as reading as many papers as possible, without being limited to researchers who share the same opinions and concepts as mine. Beyond focusing only on my research theme, exploring other coating techniques and materials—whether directly related or not—can broaden my background and create bridges between previously unconnected subjects. When reading, it is essential to maintain a critical perspective by asking “Do the authors’ arguments make sense? What is missing from this work? How could it be complemented? Are there other studies that address these gaps?”. These questions are fundamental when preparing a review-type paper. Compiling the work of other authors, merging their ideas with constructive criticism, and proposing trends and future directions to fill existing gaps is one of the greatest challenges for review paper writers.

4. How does it feel to receive the Best Paper Award? What does this recognition mean to you?

It was a great honor to receive this recognition from Coatings. Writing an impactful paper was a challenging task, and this achievement would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of my colleagues and the reviewers, who helped shape the first draft and significantly improve the manuscript during the review process. Their support made the work much stronger.

Beyond the award itself, it is deeply rewarding to see that this paper has been useful to many researchers, as reflected by the more than sixty citations it has already received. Such scholarly recognition, combined with the distinction of receiving an award from a prestigious journal like Coatings, provides strong motivation to continue advancing knowledge and contributing to society through the publication of high-quality research.

5. In your opinion, which research topics do you think will be the most popular in the field of coatings and cold spray technology in the coming years?

I have observed that the development of hybrid deposition systems has become a prominent research trend. Examples include atmospheric plasma combined with arc spraying to produce harder and denser wear-resistant coatings, or laser-assisted cold spraying to enhance particle cohesion. The concept of hybrid systems opens the door to countless possibilities, with synergies that remain largely unexplored by “merging” the advantages of two or more fundamentally different deposition techniques.

In addition to advances in processing, the development of new materials also continues to be a major trend. High- and medium-entropy alloys, for instance, offer exciting opportunities. Research on in situ HEA formation during deposition could significantly reduce the time and cost associated with producing specialized powders, while yielding coatings with exceptional corrosion and wear resistance.

6. What attracted you to submit your work to Coatings? Could you share your experience of submitting to this journal?

Regarding my choice of Coatings, firstly, it is a journal dedicated to my research topics, and my work fits perfectly within its scope. Secondly, the submission, review, proofreading, and publishing process in Coatings—and MDPI journals in general—is much faster than in many other leading journals, which aligns with my sense of urgency to make my work visible and accessible. Thirdly, Coatings has a growing reputation and impact factor, both of which are important for my academic profile and career development. Finally, and no less importantly, Coatings has consistently published high-quality works with clear scientific contributions in thermal spraying processes and cold spray additive manufacturing, which have been the core of my research for decades. For these reasons, I plan to continue publishing many more works in Coatings.

7. What advice and insights would you share with young scholars, particularly when it comes to selecting research topics and maintaining persistence?

Young scholars—almost all of them—need to cultivate greater patience and humility. Advisors, colleagues, professors, lab technicians, students, and everyone in academia have something valuable to contribute to improving the quality of our work. Whether it is a tip, a criticism, or assistance in interpreting test results, it is always important to listen carefully and avoid arrogance.

This attitude also applies to the feedback we receive from peer reviewers when submitting a manuscript to a journal. I prefer to view their comments not as “criticisms,” but rather as “recommendations” aimed at strengthening our work. We must approach these remarks as opportunities to enhance the quality of our research, not as an underestimation of our effort.

In summary, the entire scientific community shares the same goal: to bring out the best in our work for the advancement of science.

8. As the recipient of this award, could you share your feelings and whom you would like to thank?

I would like to thank my colleagues who contributed to the development of this work and assisted in writing the first draft of the manuscript: Andrea Garfias, Vicente Albaladejo, Javier Sánchez, and Irene García Cano from the Thermal Spray Center (CPT) at the Universitat de Barcelona. I am also grateful to the four anonymous reviewers for their valuable recommendations and suggestions, which significantly improved the quality of the manuscript, as well as to the editors of the Advanced Cold Spraying Technology Special Issue—Wen Sun, Xin Chu, and Adrian Wei Lee Tan—for their support.

9. What are your views and expectations regarding the open access model of publishing?

I believe that free access to high-quality scientific papers greatly facilitates the diffusion of knowledge, benefiting both scholars and society at large. Open access allows anyone to read the most recent advances in science without financial barriers. Naturally, the costs of publication must still be covered, and in the open access model, this responsibility falls on the authors, who often rely on university support or project funding to cover publication fees. Despite this challenge, I see open access as the most effective way to publish scientific research and disseminate knowledge broadly. Long live open access!

MDPI will be attending ECIS UK Colloids Conference 2025, which will be held from 7 to 12 September 2025 in Bristol, UK.

The ECIS UK Colloids Conference is the flagship event of the European Colloids and Interface Society (ECIS). Its 39th edition will be jointly held with the 5th UK Colloid Science Conference in the historical city centre of Bristol.

The joint conference aims to attract more than 700 established and early career scientists from academia and industry—from the UK, EU, US, Australia, China, and further across the globe. The conference topics are broad, ranging from fundamental studies to innovation-oriented research, providing a stimulating platform for the delegates to present and discuss the latest multidisciplinary research and applications in the field of colloid and interface science.

There will also be special sessions, such as those on scattering and aerosols, as well as a session reflecting the leadership in colloid research at Bristol University by Brian Vincent and Terry Cosgrove for some 40 years from the early 1970s.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Colloids and Interfaces;
• Surfaces;
• Liquids;
• Fluids;
• Coatings;
• Catalysts;
• Macromol;
• Physchem.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth and start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://ecis-ukcolloids2025.org/.