Announcements
1 July 2025
Meet Us at the 32nd International Cartographic Conference (ICC 2025), 17–22 August 2025, Vancouver, Canada
27 June 2025
Recruiting Editorial Board Members for Drones
26 June 2025
MDPI’s Journal Cluster of Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation Control
Mechanical manufacturing and automation control is a multidisciplinary field that combines mechanical engineering with automation technologies, like robotics, computer-controlled machinery, and industrial control systems to design, produce, and optimize manufacturing processes to support modern smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 advancements.
MDPI’s cluster of mechanical manufacturing and automation control aims to publish cutting-edge research in the field of aerospace, automation, drones, machinery, manufacturing, robotics, and advanced technologies, including integrated AI, IoT, and advanced control systems. These journals will collaborate to offer the scientific community the latest research advances and discoveries within the field of automation, Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, robotics, and aerospace technologies.
The seven participating journals include the following:
- Aerospace (ISSN: 2226-4310) is devoted to publishing research in all fields of aerospace science, engineering, and technology. It presents theoretical, fundamental, and applied results with potential applications related to the research, design, manufacture, operation, control, and maintenance of aircraft and spacecraft. The journal is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Kontis (University Avenue, UK);
- Automation (ISSN: 2673-4052) provides a venue for both specialized and multidisciplinary research in automation, control, and their applications. The journal emphasizes topics such as control theory and methods, automation in energy systems, industrial automation and process control, intelligent control and machine learning, robotics, and autonomous systems, as well as smart transportation and autonomous vehicles. Automation is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Eyad H. Abed (University of Maryland, USA);
- Drones (ISSN: 2504-446X) focuses on the design and applications of drones, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs), and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPASs), etc. Likewise, contributions based on unmanned marine/water/underwater drones, unmanned ground vehicles, fully autonomous driving, and space drones are also welcome. The journal is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Diego González-Aguilera (University of Salamanca, Spain);
- Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing (JMMP, ISSN: 2504-4494) aims to publish state of the art knowledge in the fields of processes, equipment, systems, and materials in relation to materials processing and manufacturing. It offers an online platform facilitating effective exchange of innovative scientific and engineering ideas and the dissemination of recent, original, and significant research and developmental findings. JMMP is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Steven Y. Liang (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA);
- Machines (ISSN: 2075-1702) is an integrative effort to explore the specialized and multidisciplinary research on machinery and engineering, including machines design and theory, machines testing and maintenance, condition monitoring and diagnostics, electrical machines and drives, robotics and intelligent machines, automation and control, vehicle engineering, electromechanical energy conversion systems, advanced manufacturing technologies, and tribology. Machines is led by Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Antonio J. Marques Cardoso (CISE - Electromechatronic Systems Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Portugal);
- Robotics (ISSN: 2218-6581) aims to provide an international forum with which to report the latest developments on robotic systems in theory, design, and applications with special attention to autonomous behaviors, multi-sensor fusion, learning algorithms, system modeling, control software, smart actuators, service applications, and human–machine interactions. Special emphasis is given to technological innovations and real-world applications. Robotics is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Marco Ceccarelli (LARM: Laboratory of Robotics and Mechatronics, University of Cassino and South Latium, Cassino, Italy);
- Technologies (ISSN: 2227-7080) provides an advanced forum for the latest in technological studies to both researchers and professionals. The journal emphasizes innovative technologies in areas such as mechanical manufacturing, automation control, robotics, smart manufacturing, industrial automation, as well as information technologies, materials science, etc. Technologies is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Manoj Gupta (Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore).
| Journal | Launch Year | Impact Factor (2024) |
CiteScore (2024) |
First Decision (Median Days) |
APC (CHF) |
 |
2014 | 2.1 | 4.0 | 21.3 | 2400 |
 |
2020 | 2.0 | 4.1 | 24.1 | 1200 |
 |
2017 | 4.8 | 7.4 | 19.2 | 2600 |
 |
2017 | 3.3 | 5.2 | 16.5 | 1800 |
 |
2013 | 2.5 | 4.7 | 15.5 | 2400 |
 |
2012 | 3.3 | 7.7 | 21 | 1800 |
 |
2013 | 3.6 | 8.5 | 21.1 | 1600 |
MDPI Mission and Values
As a pioneer of academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our aim is to foster scientific exchange in all forms across all disciplines. MDPI's guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:
Open Access—All of our content is published in open access and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to science and the latest research, allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;
Timeliness and Efficiency—Publishing the latest research through thorough editorial work, ensuring a first decision is provided to authors in under 32 days and papers are published within 7–10 days upon acceptance;
Simplicity—Offering user-friendly tools and services in one place to enhance the efficiency of our editorial process;
High Quality Service—Supporting scholars and their work by providing a range of options such as journal publication at mdpi.com, early publication at preprints.org, and conferences on sciforum.net to make a positive impact on research;
Flexibility—Adapting and developing new tools and services to meet the changing needs of the research community, driven by feedback from authors, editors, and readers.
Rooted in Sustainability—Ensuring long-term preservation of published papers and supporting the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.
By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.
Selected Topics and Special Issues:
- “Innovation and Inventions in Aerospace and UAV Applications”;
- “International Conference on Autonomous Unmanned Systems (5th ICAUS 2025)”;
- “Artificial Intelligence in Smart Industrial Diagnostics and Manufacturing—Third Edition”;
- “Predictive Analytics and Fault Diagnosis of Machines with Machine Learning Techniques”;
- “New Trends in Robotics: Automation and Autonomous Systems”;
- “Advances in Mobile Robotics Navigation, 2nd Volume”;
- “Advanced Technologies and Applications for Unmanned Systems”.
Selected Articles:
Aerospace
“Re-Entry Comparison of a Spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit: Propulsion-Assisted vs. Non-Propulsive Configurations”
Automation
“Implementation of Digital Twin and Real Production System to Address Actual and Future Challenges in Assembly Technology”
Drones
“Novel Twist Morphing Aileron and Winglet Design for UAS Control and Performance”
JMMP
“Advancements in Additive Manufacturing for Copper-Based Alloys and Composites: A Comprehensive Review”
Machines
“Emotional Intelligence for the Decision-Making Process of Trajectories in Collaborative Robotics”
Robotics
“Human-Centric Robotic Solution for Motor and Gearbox Assembly: An Industry 5.0 Pilot Study”
Technologies
“Multi-Arm Trajectory Planning for Optimal Collision-Free Pick-and-Place Operations”
24 June 2025
Drones Receives an Updated Impact Factor of 4.8
20 June 2025
Young Women in Engineering Award—Open for Nominations
12 June 2025
Drones Receives an Increased CiteScore of 7.4
3 June 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #23 - MDPI Summits Spain & Italy, Ei Compendex, and Editorial Independence
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
Highlights from the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (21-22 May)
In May we hosted the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona – our second summit in the city following the inaugural one in November 2023.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.
Creating a space for exchange of views
The goal of our summits is to bring together Chief Editors of MDPI journals from across disciplines and institutions. These intimate gatherings provide a platform to present the latest developments at MDPI and to initiate open conversations about our journals, the future of open access, and the evolving landscape of scientific publishing.
Most importantly, these are opportunities for in-person connection, providing a more meaningful space for the exchange of views and for building long-term relationships.
Exploring the future of scientific publishing in Spain
The summit took place on 21–22 May and featured a mix of MDPI presentations (including two guest presentations), roundtable discussions, and Q&A sessions. On the first day, we held a focused session with our Chief Editors to gather feedback and have open discussions on their journal development, the peer-review process, and local accreditation systems.
Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI, presents MDPI’s Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.
I had the pleasure of opening the Summit with a welcome address and an overview of MDPI’s recent milestones. The agenda then included the following sessions:
- MDPI and Recent Developments in the Spanish Market – Dr. Marta Colomer (Public Affairs Specialist, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
- Open Access in Spain – Dr. Remedios Melero (Researcher, CSIC – guest speaker)
- AI in Publishing and MDPI's Actions – Dr. Enric Sayas (Business Analyst, MDPI), Daniele Raimondi (Data Scientist, MDPI), and Dr. Alexandre López-Borrull (Researcher, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya – guest speaker)
- Publication Ethics – Ana Stankovic (Research Integrity and Publication Ethics, MDPI)
- Opening and Closing remarks were provided by Rocksy Zhang (Editorial Director, MDPI)
We are extremely grateful for the strong engagement shown by our Editors, who were clearly appreciative of the event and the discussions we had. They felt seen and heard, which is a vital prerequisite for building open channels of communication and cultivating productive long-term collaborations.
MDPI colleagues during MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (22 May 2025).
A big thank-you to the entire Barcelona team for organizing such a successful event!
Upcoming MDPI Summit events:
- Italy Summit – Rome (26–27 May)
- US Summit – Boston, MA (5–6 June)
- France Summit – Paris (12–13 June)
- US Summit – Houston, TX (26–27 June)
- UK Summit – London (16–17 September)
- Germany Summit – Berlin (18–19 September)
- Romania Summit – Bucharest (23–24 October)
...with more in between, and more to follow.
Impactful Research
50 MDPI Journals Now Indexed in Ei Compendex
Indexing is a key indicator of a journal’s scientific impact. An indexed journal gives research greater visibility and credibility within the global academic community and is recognized for its quality and relevance. While many of our journals are included in major databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, MDPI also places strong emphasis on journal inclusion in subject-specific indexing platforms that align with each journal’s scope. This ensures that when you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact.
I’m pleased to share that as at May 2025, 51 of our journals are now indexed in Ei Compendex, a leading bibliographic database for engineering and applied sciences. This is a major milestone that reflects both the quality or our editorial processes and the relevance of the research we publish in these fields.
“When you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact”
Discoverability and reach
Inclusion in Ei Compendex means greater discoverability for our authors and broader reach of our journals in the fields of engineering and technology. It improves our ability to support global research and innovation, while building MDPI’s reputation in the applied sciences. This recognition is the result of the dedicated work of our editorial teams, reviewers, and authors, and of our overall commitment to excellence in publishing.
You can read our full announcement here.
Appreciative thanks to everyone involved in reaching this milestone.
Inside MDPI
One Year of MDPI’s Seoul Office
On 29 April, we marked one year since the opening of our Seoul office, MDPI’s first local hub in South Korea. South Korea is a key market for MDPI, currently ranking as our sixth-largest contributor to the company’s total publications, with over 89,000 MDPI articles authored by individuals affiliated with Korean institutions. Over the past 12 months, the Seoul team has made great strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region.
A few highlights from the past year
Claude Seo (MDPI Korea Office Manager, Seoul)
Claude Seo, who has over 15 years of experience in the academic publishing industry, is the Office Manager of the Seoul office.
In its inaugural year, the Seoul office focused primarily on marketing and promotional activities to support the MDPI brand locally. During that time, the team concentrated on scholar visits to local institutions, attending academic conferences, and hosting editorial board meetings.
The team also secured 10 Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) renewals, signed three new IOAP agreements, and established one new Society affiliation.
The Seoul office also hosted its first library book fair and reached over 1,000 followers on its LinkedIn channel, which is an encouraging indication of local visibility and engagement.
“The Seoul team has made strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region”
Growth plans
Later this year, we are working on opening a new Seoul office in a more central location, with room for our growing team. The new space will bring us closer to other publishing partners and provide easier access to and from the airport. The Seoul office will continue to expand its efforts in outreach and engagement as its builds its presence in South Korea.
Warm thanks to the entire Seoul team for their hard work and dedication, and to all MDPI colleagues who have contributed to this exciting chapter in our global journey.
Coming Together for Science
Highlights from the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (26–27 May)
We closed the month of May by hosting the first MDPI Italy Summit in Rome. This was an important event for us, as Italy has consistently ranked among the top ten countries globally for open access publications over the past decade.
MDPI and Italy: Facts & Figures
- With over 144,000 publications (as at 31 May 2025), Italy is MDPI’s third largest contributor after China and the USA.
- In 2024, MDPI was the second-largest publishing house in Italy.
- The 7,165 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) drawn from Italian institutions represent 8.9% of all MDPI academic editors.
- Among these, 319 serve as Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) or Section Editors-in-Chief (SEiCs).
- Eleven Italian EBMs were recognized as 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers.
- In 2024, MDPI received 24,873 review reports and collaborated with 88,578 reviewers from Italy.
- 23,131 Guest Editors from Italian institutions led 4,827 Special Issues across 248 MDPI journals.
- MDPI partners with over 900 institutions globally, of which 17 are in Italy.
The MDPI Italy Summit in Rome
Dr. Prof. Giulio Cerullo, EiC of Applied Sciences, at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
Held on 26–27 May, the MDPI Italy Summit brought together 25 Chief Editors from across our journal portfolio, including some of our largest journals such as Applied Sciences, to discuss MDPI’s latest developments and collaborations in the Italian market, our use of data intelligence and AI to support strategic decision-making, a look into our editorial process, peer-review quality metrics, and conversations around research integrity and community engagement.
The Summit featured MDPI presentations followed by Q&A and concluded with a roundtable discussion. On the evening of the 26th, we hosted a dinner with our Editors to connect personally, learn more about their research, and hear feedback on journal operations and the broader academic landscape in Italy.
Gathering of Editors-in-Chief and MDPI staff at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
Event Agenda – 27 May
Moderated by Maddalena Favaretto (Conference Scientific Advisor, MDPI), the program featured:
- MDPI Overview, Achievements, Latest News and Future Developments – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
- Country Report: Italy – Dr. Laura Perez Martin (Conference Assistant, MDPI)
- AI in Publishing and MDPI’s Actions – Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process and Research Integrity – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
- Panel Discussion – Stefan, Andrea, Giulia
Panel Discussion with Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI), Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI) during the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
A big thank-you to our Conference team and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make these events run smoothly.
Closing Thoughts
Upholding Editorial Independence in Scholarly Publishing
A recent MDPI blog post written by Dr. Ioana Craciun (Scientific Communications Specialist, MDPI), “Editorial Independence and Publisher Support: Collaborating to Uphold Integrity,” highlights the important balance between editorial autonomy and publisher collaboration in academic publishing.
As the leading fully Open Access scholarly publisher, we are proud to champion editorial independence within our publishing process.
Drawing from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, the article emphasizes that while editors must have the freedom to make decisions based on scholarly merit, publishers play a critical role in providing the necessary infrastructure and tools to support the editorial process. This collaborative approach ensures the integrity of the peer review process, builds trust among authors and readers, and upholds the quality and relevance of published content.
MDPI highlights its commitment to this model by investing in research integrity specialists, AI tools for plagiarism detection, and administrative support, all aimed at empowering editors to make independent, informed decisions.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
28 May 2025
Drones | Highly Downloaded Papers in 2024
27 May 2025
Topics Webinar | EO&GEO Series: Cultural Heritage Mapping and Monitoring, 5 June 2025
We are delighted to welcome you to the webinar “Cultural Heritage Mapping and Monitoring”, organized under the framework of the COASTLINE project (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-SE). This workshop brings together a diverse community of experts from universities, research centers, and SMEs, all actively engaged in the documentation, analysis, and preservation of cultural heritage through advanced mapping and monitoring techniques.
The program features presentations on Earth Observation applications, geophysical prospection, coastal bathymetry, and multi-source geoinformatics workflows. It also highlights innovative visualization tools, including drone-based imaging, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), offering immersive experiences for cultural heritage interpretation.
A dedicated dissemination session will provide valuable insights into the MSCA Staff Exchanges and the integration of Open Science practices in research projects.
We look forward to your active participation in this collaborative and knowledge-rich event.
Date: 5 June 2025 at 9:30 a.m. CEST | 3:30 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 879 4605 8203
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/Topics-36
Register now for free!
|
Speaker/Presentation |
Time in CEST |
Time in CST Asia |
|
Dr. Apostolos Papakonstantinou Chair Introduction |
9:30–9:35 a.m. |
3:30–3:35 p.m. |
|
Dr. Athos Agapiou Earth Observation (EO) Applications in Cultural Heritage Monitoring |
9:35–9:50 a.m. |
3:35–3:50 p.m. |
|
Dr. Nikos Papadopoulos Geophysical Prospection Methods for Mapping the Cultural Dynamics in Coastal and Shallow Aquatic Environments |
9:50–10:05 a.m. |
3:50–4:05 p.m. |
|
Dr. Dimitrios Skarlatos Coastal Optical Bathymetry: Does Water Refraction Matter? |
10:05–10:20 a.m. |
4:05–4:20 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
10:20–10:30 a.m. |
4:20–4:30 p.m. |
|
Short Break |
10:30–10:35 a.m. |
4:30–4:35 p.m. |
|
Dr. Alessandra Capolupo Geoinformatics Workflows for Multi-Source Data Integration in Cultural Heritage |
10:35–10:50 a.m. |
4:35–4:50 p.m. |
|
Dr. Apostolos Papakonstantinou Drone-Based Visualizations of Cultural Heritage |
10:50–11:05 a.m. |
4:50–5:05 p.m. |
|
Mr. Savvas Varitimiadis Breaking Space and Time. VR and AR Experiences and Visualisations in Heritage Organisations for Immersive Interpretation and Engagement |
11:05–11:20 a.m. |
5:05–5:20 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
11:20–11:30 a.m. |
5:20–5:30 p.m. |
|
Short Break |
11:30–11:35 a.m. |
5:30–5:35 p.m. |
|
Marina Royer, COASTLINE Project Officer, European Research Executive Agency (REA) Promotion of MSCA Program and Staff Exchanges & Open Science Rules under Horizon Europe Program |
11:35 a.m.–12:15 p.m. |
5:35–6:15p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
12:1–12:25 p.m. |
6:15–6:25 p.m. |
|
Dr. Apostolos Papakonstantinou Closing of Webinar |
12:25–12:30 p.m. |
6:25–6:30 p.m. |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.
Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. Apostolos Papakonstantinou, Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, School of Engineering and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus;
- Dr. Athos Agapiou, Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, School of Engineering and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus;
- Dr. Nikos Papadopoulos, Institute for Mediterranean Studies (IMS), Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH), Greece;
- Dr. Dimitrios Skarlatos, Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, School of Engineering and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus;
- Dr. Alessandra Capolupo, Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Construction and Chemistry (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Italy;
- Mr. Savvas Varitimiadis, Aegean Solutions S.S., Greece.
Relevant Special Issue:
“Innovative UAV and Satellite Technologies and Applications for Spatiotemporal Analysis”
Guest Editors: Dr. Apostolos Papakonstantinou, Prof. Eufemia Tarantino, Dr. Alessandra Capolupo and Dr. Athos Agapiou
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025
22 May 2025
Meet Us at the 2025 American Control Conference, 8–10 July 2025, Denver, USA
