Announcements

MDPI is delighted to announce the establishment of the Michele Parrinello Award. Named in honor of Professor Michele Parrinello, the award celebrates his exceptional contributions and his profound impact on the field of computational physical science research.

The award will be presented biennially to distinguished scientists who have made outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of computational physical science—spanning physics, chemistry, and materials science.

About Professor Michele Parrinello

"Do not be afraid of new things. I see it many times when we discuss a new thing that young people are scared to go against the mainstream a little bit, thinking what is going to happen to me and so on. Be confident that what you do is meaningful, and do not be afraid, do not listen too much to what other people have to say.”

——Professor Michele Parrinello

Born in Messina in 1945, he received his degree from the University of Bologna and is currently affiliated with the Italian Institute of Technology. Professor Parrinello is known for his many technical innovations in the field of atomistic simulations and for a wealth of interdisciplinary applications ranging from materials science to chemistry and biology. Together with Roberto Car, he introduced ab initio molecular dynamics, also known as the Car–Parrinello method, marking the beginning of a new era both in the area of electronic structure calculations and in molecular dynamics simulations. He is also known for the Parrinello–Rahman method, which allows crystalline phase transitions to be studied by molecular dynamics. More recently, he has introduced metadynamics for the study of rare events and the calculation of free energies.

For his work, he has been awarded many prizes and honorary degrees. He is a member of numerous academies and learned societies, including the German Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften, the British Royal Society, and the Italian Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, which is the major academy in his home country of Italy.

Award Committee

The award committee will be chaired by Professor Xin-Gao Gong, a computational condensed matter physicist, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and professor at the Department of Physics, Fudan University. Professor Xin-Gao Gong will lead a panel of several senior experts in the field to oversee the evaluation and selection process. The Institute for Computational Physical Sciences at Fudan University (Shanghai, China), led by Professor Xin-Gao Gong, will serve as the supporting institute for the award.

"We hope the Michele Parrinello Award will recognize scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of computational condensed matter physics and at the same time set a benchmark for the younger generation, providing clear direction for their pursuit—this is precisely the original intention behind establishing the award."

——Professor Xin-Gao Gong

The first edition of the award was officially launched on 1 November 2025. Nominations will be accepted before the end of March 2026. For further details, please visit mparrinelloaward.org.

About the MDPI Sustainability Foundation and MDPI Awards

The Michele Parrinello Award is part of the MDPI Sustainability Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing sustainable development through scientific progress and global collaboration. The foundation also oversees the World Sustainability Award, the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award, and the Tu Youyou Award. The establishment of the Michele Parrinello Award will further enrich the existing award portfolio, providing continued and diversified financial support to outstanding professionals across various fields. 

In addition to these foundation-level awards, MDPI journals also recognize outstanding contributions through a range of honors, including Best Paper Awards, Outstanding Reviewer Awards, Young Investigator Awards, Travel Awards, Best PhD Thesis Awards, Editor of Distinction Awards, and others. These initiatives aim to recognize excellence across disciplines and career stages, contributing to the long-term vitality and sustainability of scientific research.

Find more information on awards here.

Following from our two previous successful editions, we invite you to submit your abstracts and participate in the 3rd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers, taking place from 2 to 7 August 2026 in Jeju, South Korea.

Organized by MDPI and the open access journals Sensors, Micromachines, AI Sensors, Micro and Remote Sensing, this in-person conference will once again bring together experts and participating researchers who will share insights and innovations in sensors, sensing technology, transducers and artificial intelligence.

Start preparing your abstracts:
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your work to peers and leading experts in AI-enhanced sensing systems and transducers. We will be announcing the session topics at AIS 2026 soon.

Find out more about the instructions for authors: https://sciforum.net/event/AIS2026?section=#instructions.

Find out more about the publication opportunities available for authors: https://sciforum.net/event/AIS2026?section=#Publicationopportunities.
Please feel free to share the information about this conference to your colleagues and students.

We look forward to welcoming you in Jeju!

The organizing committee of the 3rd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers (AIS 2026).

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:

World Sustainable Transport Day, observed on 26 November, highlights the vital role of transport in promoting connectivity, trade, economic growth, and employment, while addressing its significant greenhouse gas impact. Sustainable transport provides mobility systems that are safe, affordable, accessible, efficient, and resilient, while minimizing emissions and environmental harm. It drives sustainable development. This day reminds us that the road to a better future depends on cleaner and greener transportation systems.

In recognition of World Sustainable Transport Day, MDPI supports the global call to advance low-carbon, inclusive, and efficient transport solutions. Through open access publishing, we invite readers to explore selected articles, Special Issues, and journals that contribute to building cleaner and more resilient societies.

“A Real-Time Collision Warning System for Autonomous Vehicles Based on YOLOv8n and SGBM Stereo Vision”
by Shang-En Tsai and Chia-Han Hsieh
Electronics 2025, 14(21), 4275; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14214275

“Does the Choice of Topic Modeling Technique Impact the Interpretation of Aviation Incident Reports? A Methodological Assessment”
by Aziida Nanyonga, Keith Joiner, Ugur Turhan and Graham Wild
Technologies 2025, 13(5), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13050209

“Greening Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: The Moderating and Mediating Influence of Green Value Co-Creation and Green Innovation”
by Banji Rildwan Olaleye and Sara Faysal Mosleh
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15050183

“A Review of Passenger Counting in Public Transport Concepts with Solution Proposal Based on Image Processing and Machine Learning”
by Aleksander Radovan, Leo Mršić, Goran Đambić and Branko Mihaljević
Eng 2024, 5(4), 3284–3315; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5040172

“The Transition Pathways to Sustainable Urban Mobility: Could They Be Extended to Megacities?”
by Sierra Rey-Tienda, Manuel Rey-Moreno and Cayetano Medina-Molina
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040179

“The Impact of Spoofing Attacks in Connected Autonomous Vehicles under Traffic Congestion Conditions”
by Zisis-Rafail Tzoannos, Dimitrios Kosmanos, Apostolos Xenakis and Costas Chaikalis
Telecom 2024, 5(3), 747–759; https://doi.org/10.3390/telecom5030037

“An Investigation of Historic Transportation Infrastructure Preservation and Improvement through Historic Building Information Modeling”
by Rnin Salah, János Szép, Kitti Ajtayné Károlyfi and Nóra Géczy
Infrastructures 2024, 9(7), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9070114

“Willingness to Participate in Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) in Sweden, 2022—Using an Electric Vehicle’s Battery for More Than Transport”
by Rahmat Khezri, David Steen and Le Anh Tuan
Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1792; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051792

“Particulate Matter Emission and Air Pollution Reduction by Applying Variable Systems in Tribologically Optimized Diesel Engines for Vehicles in Road Traffic”
by Saša Milojević, Jasna Glišović, Slobodan Savić, Goran Bošković, Milan Bukvić and Blaža Stojanović
Atmosphere 2024, 15(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15020184

“Sustainability-Driven Design of Aircraft Composite Components”
by Angelos Filippatos, Dionysios Markatos, Georgios Tzortzinis, Kaushik Abhyankar, Sonia Malefaki, Maik Gude and Spiros Pantelakis
Aerospace 2024, 11(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11010086

“Deep Learning and Statistical Models for Forecasting Transportation Demand: A Case Study of Multiple Distribution Centers”
by Fábio Polola Mamede, Roberto Fray da Silva, Irineu de Brito Junior, Hugo Tsugunobu Yoshida Yoshizaki, Celso Mitsuo Hino and Carlos Eduardo Cugnasca
Logistics 2023, 7(4), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics7040086

“Ship Autonomous Collision-Avoidance Strategies—A Comprehensive Review”
by Hongguang Lyu, Zengrui Hao, Jiawei Li, Guang Li, Xiaofeng Sun, Guoqing Zhang, Yong Yin, Yanjie Zhao and Lunping Zhang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(4), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11040830

Scientists at Stanford University have recently published an update of the top 2% most widely cited scientists list—the World’s Top 2% Scientists.

The statistical data of this list is collected from 1960 to 2025, and it is divided into two further metrics: “Lifetime Scientific Influence Ranking” and “2025 Annual Scientific Influence Ranking”. The former evaluates the comprehensive influence of scientists throughout their careers, and the latter highlights the academic influence of scientists in the previous year. This ranking, regarded as the most prestigious worldwide, is based on bibliometric information contained in the Scopus database. It includes more than 200,000 researchers from a total of more than 10 million scientists considered to be active worldwide, with 22 scientific fields and 174 subfields taken into account.

We are delighted to announce that 61 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) of MDPI’s Drones (ISSN: 2504-446X) have been included in the 2025 World’s Top 2% Scientists list.

The latest rankings underscore the remarkable academic influence and research commitment of these scientists, who are dedicated to advancing knowledge for the betterment of global society. 

We would like to congratulate these EBMs on their outstanding achievements and thank them for their contributions to the advancement of Drones. Their expertise and efforts have been instrumental in shaping the journal’s academic standing and driving progress in this field.

We are pleased to invite you to read the selected papers in Drones (ISSN: 2504-446X) in the “Drone Communication” Section, which are listed below:

1. “Cyber4Drone: A Systematic Review of Cyber Security and Forensics in Next-Generation Drones”
by Vikas Sihag, Gaurav Choudhary, Pankaj Choudhary and Nicola Dragoni
Drones 2023, 7(7), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7070430
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/7/430

2. “UAV Trajectory and Energy Efficiency Optimization in RIS-Assisted Multi-User Air-to-Ground Communications Networks”
by Yuanyuan Yao, Ke Lv, Sai Huang, Xuehua Li and Wei Xiang
Drones 2023, 7(4), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7040272
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/4/272

3. “Automatic Modulation Classification Using Deep Residual Neural Network with Masked Modeling for Wireless Communications”
by Yang Peng, Lantu Guo, Jun Yan, Mengyuan Tao, Xue Fu, Yun Lin and Guan Gui
Drones 2023, 7(6), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7060390
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/6/390

4. “Smart Drone Surveillance System Based on AI and on IoT Communication in Case of Intrusion and Fire Accident”
by Minh Long Hoang
Drones 2023, 7(12), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7120694
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/12/694

5. “LECast: A Low-Energy-Consumption Broadcast Protocol for UAV Blockchain Networks”
by Haoxiang Luo, Shiyuan Liu, Shizhong Xu and Jian Luo
Drones 2023, 7(2), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7020076
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/2/76

6. “Analysis of Wind Effect on Drone Relay Communications”
by Yuya Tajima, Takefumi Hiraguri, Takahiro Matsuda, Tetsuro Imai, Jiro Hirokawa, Hiroyuki Shimizu, Tomotaka Kimura and Kazuki Maruta
Drones 2023, 7(3), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7030182
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/3/182

7. “Study on the Evolution Law of Overlying Strata Structure in Stope Based on “Space–Air–Ground” Integrated Monitoring Network and Discrete Element”
by Yuanhao Zhu, Yueguan Yan, Yanjun Zhang, Wanqiu Zhang, Jiayuan Kong and Anjin Dai
Drones 2023, 7(5), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7050309
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/5/309

8. “A Novel Collision Avoidance Strategy with D2D Communications for UAV Systems”
by Lin Shan, Huan-Bang Li, Ryu Miura, Takashi Matsuda and Takeshi Matsumura
Drones 2023, 7(5), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7050283
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/5/283

9. “Hybrid Data Augmentation and Dual-Stream Spatiotemporal Fusion Neural Network for Automatic Modulation Classification in Drone Communications”
by An Gong, Xingyu Zhang, Yu Wang, Yongan Zhang and Mengyan Li
Drones 2023, 7(6), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7060346
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/6/346

10. “Energy-Efficient Device-to-Device Communications for Green Internet of Things Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Mounted Intelligent Reflecting Surface”
by Fangqing Tan, Shuo Pang, Yashuai Cao, Hongbin Chen and Tiejun Lv
Drones 2024, 8(4), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8040122
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/8/4/122

Sunway University successfully hosted a comprehensive Academic Publishing Workshop on 9 October 2025, held in collaboration with MDPI. The session was officially opened by Prof. Suzana Yusup, Deputy Dean for Research and Sustainability (DDRS) of Sunway University, who welcomed the diverse group of attendees, which included faculty members, PhD students, and early career researchers (ECRs).

The event featured two expert speakers, Ms. Yu Nwe Soe and Ms. Lorena Goja, who covered critical stages of the publication process. Ms. Yu Nwe Soe’s sessions began by introducing the open access (OA) model and MDPI, followed by practical advice on how to write and structure a high-quality academic paper using standards like the IMRaD format. She concluded with an essential deep dive into Publication Ethics for Authors, emphasizing integrity in areas such as plagiarism, data management, and authorship.

The second half of the workshop, presented by Ms. Lorena Goja, focused on advanced skills vital for publication success. Attendees gained strategic insights into how to respond effectively to peer reviewers, learning techniques for drafting professional rebuttal letters, and managing manuscript revisions constructively.

The final, timely session addressed the emerging landscape of Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Publishing, exploring both the benefits and the new ethical and practical challenges posed by AI tools in the research workflow. This segment sparked significant discussion and included an interactive quiz that tested attendees' understanding of AI's evolving role in the field.

The workshop was met with tremendous enthusiasm, characterized by high engagement and a continuous flow of helpful questions and constructive feedback from the participants. This active interaction from the mix of faculty, PhD students, and ECRs underscored the broad relevance of the topics presented to the university's research community.

MDPI is sincerely grateful to Sunway University for the opportunity to deliver the Academic Publishing Workshop, and we look forward to future opportunities for collaboration.

The conference is organized by the MDPI open access journal Remote Sensing (ISSN: 2072-4292; Impact Factor: 4.1) and will be held online from 19 to 21 October 2026. We extend a warm invitation to all researchers and practitioners in the field to join this exciting event.

Conference Chair:

• Prof. Dr. Timo Balz, the State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing (LIESMARS), Wuhan University, China.

Topics of interest:
S1. AI in Remote Sensing;
S2. SAR Remote Sensing;
S3. Remote Sensing in Semi-Arid and Arid Areas;
S4. Remote Sensing in Tropical Areas;
S5. Remote Sensing in Urban Areas;
S6. Remote Sensing of the Environment;
S7. Remote Sensing for Cultural Heritage Protection;
S8. RSVQA—Remote Sensing Visual Question Answering.

Important dates:
Abstract Submission Deadline: 18 June 2026;
Abstract Acceptance Notification: 17 July 2026;
Free Registration Deadline: 13 October 2026.

Guide for authors:

To submit your abstract, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1492.

To register for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/ECRS2026?section=#registration.

For details regarding Abstract Submission, Poster and Slide Submission, and Publication Opportunities, you may refer to the “Instructions for Authors” section: https://sciforum.net/event/ECRS2026?section=#instructions.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact ecrs2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 6th International Electronic Conference on Remote Sensing—Global Perspectives for the Next Generation in Earth Observation.

We are pleased to announce that Drones (ISSN: 2504-446X) has launched a new Section—“Unmanned Surface and Underwater Drones”. This Section focuses on the latest advancements, research, and practical applications of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). More information about the Section is available at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/drones/sections/unmanned_surface_and_underwater_drones.

To support its development, the Drones Editorial Office is now recruiting a Section Editor-in-Chief. The Section Editor-in-Chief is a leader in their particular field, and is responsible for ensuring the scientific quality of a particular Section of a journal. The Section Editor-in-Chief is expected to oversee the growth and development of the journal Section and its Board Members. The initial term for this position is 2 years, and it entails the following roles:

• Acting as an ambassador for the journal, MDPI and Open Access publishing;
• Making scientific decisions about the scope of their Section;
• Inviting distinguished scientists to join the Editorial Board;
• Suggesting topics for Special Issues;
• Providing support and guidance to Editorial Board Members and editorial staff when required;
• Maintaining oversight of the editorial process for individual manuscripts in their Section (mainly by making the final decision regarding whether a paper can be published after undergoing peer review and revisions);
• Understanding, leading and upholding MDPI’s peer review guidelines and ethics guidelines.

If you are interested in becoming an Editor-in-Chief for this Section of Drones or have potential candidates to recommend, please contact the Drones Editorial Office (drones@mdpi.com) with the following two files attached:

• A full academic CV;
• A short cover letter that details your interest in and enthusiasm for the position.

We look forward to receiving your applications.