Announcements

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
• Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
• Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
• Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
• Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
• Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
• Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

Celebrating the International Day of Light, we reflect on light’s essential role in connecting scientific discovery with daily life. Guided by the 2025 theme, “Light, Innovation, Society”, we explore how light transcends boundaries—driving innovations across disciplines, enhancing human experiences, and fostering collaborative solutions to shared challenges. As both a universal symbol and a scientific tool, light continues to inspire curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connections in an ever-evolving world.

MDPI invites researchers and readers to engage with our open access journals, Special Issues, and collaborative platforms dedicated to advancing light-related research. Discover freely accessible studies spanning from foundational principles to emerging applications, participate in global discussions through interdisciplinary forums, and contribute to open science efforts that bridge ideas and communities. Together, let us harness light’s simplicity and depth to spark dialogue, empower collective progress, and illuminate pathways toward a brighter, more inclusive future.

“Preparation and Photoelectric Properties of Nanostructured Native Oxide of Gallium Monoselenide with Applications in Gas Sensors”
by Veaceslav Sprincean, Alexandru Macovei, Liviu Leontie, Aurelian Carlescu, Silviu Gurlui and Mihail Caraman
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(4), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9040194

“Optical Forces on Chiral Particles: Science and Applications”
by Weicheng Yi, Haiyang Huang, Chengxing Lai, Tao He, Zhanshan Wang, Xinhua Dai, Yuzhi Shi and Xinbin Cheng
Micromachines 2024, 15(10), 1267; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15101267

“Innovative Integration of Dual Quantum Cascade Lasers on Silicon Photonics Platform”
by Dongbo Wang, Harindra Kumar Kannojia, Pierre Jouy, Etienne Giraud, Kaspar Suter, Richard Maulini, David Gachet, Léo Hetier, Geert Van Steenberge and Bart Kuyken
Micromachines 2024, 15(8), 1055; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15081055

“Extremely Weak Electro-Optic Kerr Effect in Methyl Silicone Oils”
by Marek Izdebski, Rafał Ledzion and Szymon Węgrzynowski
Materials 2024, 17(8), 1850; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081850

“Estimating Compressive and Shear Forces at L5-S1: Exploring the Effects of Load Weight, Asymmetry, and Height Using Optical and Inertial Motion Capture Systems”
by Iván Nail-Ulloa, Michael Zabala, Richard Sesek, Howard Chen, Mark C. Schall, Jr. and Sean Gallagher
Sensors 2024, 24(6), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24061941

“A Review of Solar Forecasting Techniques and the Role of Artificial Intelligence”
by Khadija Barhmi, Chris Heynen, Sara Golroodbari and Wilfried van Sark
Solar 2024, 4(1), 99-135; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar4010005

“Pulp Particle Classification Based on Optical Fiber Analysis and Machine Learning Techniques”
by Stefan B. Lindström, Rabab Amjad, Elin Gåhlin, Linn Andersson, Marcus Kaarto, Kateryna Liubytska, Johan Persson, Jan-Erik Berg, Birgitta A. Engberg and Fritjof Nilsson
Fibers 2024, 12(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12010002

“A Review of State-of-the-Art and Short-Term Forecasting Models for Solar PV Power Generation”
by Wen-Chang Tsai, Chia-Sheng Tu, Chih-Ming Hong and Whei-Min Lin
Energies 2023, 16(14), 5436; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16145436

“Long-Cavity M-Plane GaN-Based Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers with a Topside Monolithic Curved Mirror”
by Nathan C. Palmquist, Ryan Anderson, Jared A. Kearns, Joonho Back, Emily Trageser, Stephen Gee, Steven P. Denbaars and Shuji Nakamura
Photonics 2023, 10(6), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10060646

“Direct Fabrication of Ultrahydrophobic Laser-Induced Graphene for Strain Sensors”
by Devanarayanan Meena Narayana Menon, Matteo Giardino and Davide Janner
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(8), 4935; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13084935

“Photonic Crystals Fabricated by Two-Photon Polymerization with Mechanical Defects”
by Victoria Paige Stinson, Nuren Shuchi, Dustin Louisos, Micheal McLamb, Glenn D. Boreman and Tino Hofmann
Optics 2023, 4(2), 300-309; https://doi.org/10.3390/opt4020021

“Beyond Conventional Sensing: Hybrid Plasmonic Metasurfaces and Bound States in the Continuum”
by Dominic Bosomtwi and Viktoriia E. Babicheva
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071261

“Novel Approaches for High Speed Optical Communication” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Roger Dorsinville and Dr. Amin Malek Submission deadline: 20 June 2025	“New Prospects in Fiber Optic Sensors and Applications” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Xingwei Wang and Dr. Xu Guo Submission deadline: 25 June 2025
“Photonic Integrated Circuits for Information, Computing and Sensing” Guest Editors: Dr. Andrea Salamon, Dr. Liam O’Faolain and Dr. Simone Iadanza Submission deadline: 30 June 2025	“Microrheology with Optical Tweezers” Guest Editor: Dr. Manlio Tassieri Submission deadline: 30 June 2025
“Optical Composites, Nanophotonics and Metamaterials” Guest Editor: Dr. Hong Zhou Submission deadline: 18 July 2025	“Recent Trends in Light-Assisted Reactions for CO2 Conversion to Fuels and Chemicals” Guest Editors: Dr. Antonietta Mancuso, Dr. Vincenzo Vaiano and Dr. Olga Sacco Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

MDPI is excited to collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University to host an engaging Scientific Publishing Workshop aimed at empowering scholars with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in academic publishing. This workshop will delve into the key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing framework, offering an in-depth exploration of journal selection, the editorial workflow, and the essentials of publication ethics. Participants will also gain practical advice on improving their scientific writing and effectively addressing reviewer comments, with guidance from an experienced professional. This session promises to equip attendees with valuable skills to elevate their publishing journey.

Workshop Highlights:

• Learn How to Better Write and Structure a Research Article;
• How to Choose Where to Publish Academic Work;
• How to Respond to Reviewer Comments;
• Reasons for Rejection During Pre-Check;
• How to Navigate Through Ethics and AI Use.

Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University

Program:

1. “Battery Energy Storage Systems: A Review of Energy Management Systems and Health Metrics”
by Solmaz Nazaralizadeh, Paramarshi Banerjee, Anurag K. Srivastava and Parviz Famouri
Energies 2024, 17(5), 1250; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17051250
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/5/1250

2. “Review of Concentrated Solar Power Technology Applications in Photocatalytic Water Purification and Energy Conversion: Overview, Challenges and Future Directions”
by Cheng Zhang, Na Li and Guangqi An
Energies 2024, 17(2), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020463
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/2/463

3. “Hybrid Intelligent Control System for Adaptive Microgrid Optimization: Integration of Rule-Based Control and Deep Learning Techniques”
by Osman Akbulut, Muhammed Cavus, Mehmet Cengiz, Adib Allahham, Damian Giaouris and Matthew Forshaw
Energies 2024, 17(10), 2260; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17102260
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/10/2260

4. “Advances in the Study of Techniques to Determine the Lithium-Ion Battery’s State of Charge”
by Xinyue Liu, Yang Gao, Kyamra Marma, Yu Miao and Lin Liu
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1643; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071643
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/7/1643

5. “Optimizing the Installation of a Centralized Green Hydrogen Production Facility in the Island of Crete, Greece”
by Arif Ahmed, Evangelos E. Pompodakis, Yiannis Katsigiannis and Emmanuel S. Karapidakis
Energies 2024, 17(8), 1924; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17081924
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/8/1924

6. “A Review of the Synthesis of Biopolymer Hydrogel Electrolytes for Improved Electrode–Electrolyte Interfaces in Zinc-Ion Batteries”
by Veerle Vandeginste and Junru Wang
Energies 2024, 17(2), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020310
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/2/310

7. “Low-Wind-Speed Galloping Wind Energy Harvester Based on a W-Shaped Bluff Body”
by Jianfeng Zheng, Zichang Li and Han Zhang
Energies 2024, 17(4), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17040958
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/4/958

8. “Techno-Economic Planning of a Fully Renewable Energy-Based Autonomous Microgrid with Both Single and Hybrid Energy Storage Systems”
by Mobin Naderi, Diane Palmer, Matthew J. Smith, Erica E. F. Ballantyne, David A. Stone, Martin P. Foster, Daniel T. Gladwin, Amirhossein Khazali, Yazan Al-Wreikat, Andrew Cruden et al.
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1778; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071778
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/7/1778

9. “Battery Storage Use in the Value Chain of Power Systems”
by Mukovhe Ratshitanga, Ayokunle Ayeleso, Senthil Krishnamurthy, Garrett Rose, Anges Akim Aminou Moussavou and Marco Adonis
Energies 2024, 17(4), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17040921
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/4/921

10. “Shared Energy Storage Capacity Configuration of a Distribution Network System with Multiple Microgrids Based on a Stackelberg Game”
by Binqiao Zhang and Junwei Huang
Energies 2024, 17(13), 3104; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17133104
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/13/3104

Name: Dr. Yanbo Wang
Affiliation: Department of AAU Energy, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
Research interests: integrated energy system; microgrid; wind power system; power to X technology

The Energies Young Investigator Award was established in 2017 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of energy. The winner is chosen by the journal’s award committee.

Let us hear his opinions and find out about his experiences in scientific research and awards.

Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?
My name is Yanbo Wang, and I am currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Energy Technology at Aalborg University in Denmark. My research focuses primarily on power-electronic-dominated power systems and renewable energy technologies. This includes areas such as microgrids, the modeling and control of power-electronic generators, and integrated energy systems. I am also deeply involved in research on electrified transportation systems. My work aims to support the development of sustainable and intelligent energy infrastructures, and I’m passionate about exploring how different disciplines intersect within the broader field of renewable energy.

Could you elaborate on how you initially learned about the Energies journal? Furthermore, what inspired you to apply for the Energies Young Investigator Award 2024?
I first became involved with the Energies journal through my work as a Guest Editor, where I organized several Special Issues on topics closely related to my research. That role allowed me to collaborate with scholars from around the world and helped me see how valuable the journal is for disseminating new ideas in the field. I’ve also submitted review papers to the journal and benefited from its open and collaborative environment. These experiences inspired me to apply for the Energies Young Investigator Award. I view Energies as not just a publication, but a strong international platform where researchers can share their latest findings and build lasting academic networks.

What is the secret to a happy scientific life? Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research and how did you overcome them?
That’s a great question. In science, we constantly face challenges—whether it's in developing new technologies or pushing the boundaries of what we know. I believe the key to a fulfilling scientific life is persistence, curiosity, and a strong belief in the value of your work. I always try to stay confident and ambitious, aiming for original ideas rather than simply following what others have done. When I face difficulties, I return to the fundamentals—conducting basic experiments, running simulations, and most importantly, continuing to learn. I believe it’s essential to have a multidisciplinary perspective. Although my expertise is in renewable energy, I also study related fields like materials science, mechanics, and thermal systems. This broader knowledge base helps me address complex challenges more effectively.

What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
I think open access publishing offers an excellent opportunity to share our work with the global research community. At Aalborg University, we have strong collaborations with open access journals like Energies, and I see the benefits clearly. Publishing in open access not only helps others learn from our work, but it also allows us to reflect and summarize our own contributions through review papers. I’ve found it very rewarding—both professionally and intellectually. Open access journals also make it easier to stay updated with the latest developments from peers around the world. It's a powerful model for accelerating the exchange of knowledge.

Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Yes, I do. Renewable energy is a highly dynamic and interdisciplinary field. I encourage young researchers to broaden their horizons and not limit themselves to just one area like electrical engineering. The future of energy systems involves a mix of technologies—hydrogen, thermal systems, mechanical engineering, and more. You need to build knowledge across fields to make real progress. Also, think beyond academia—consider how your research can be applied in real-world engineering contexts. That’s how you ensure your innovations can truly make an impact. I also recommend building strong academic networks through international conferences, collaborative projects, and organizing Special Issues in journals like Energies. That has helped me a lot in establishing meaningful collaborations with top scholars.

As the winner of this award, is there something you would like to express to our readers?
I am truly honored to receive the Energies Young Investigator Award. It’s a major encouragement for me and reinforces my motivation to contribute further to this exciting field. I want to sincerely thank the Energies journal for this recognition—it means a great deal to me in my academic career. I would also like to encourage readers to be bold in exploring innovative technologies. Renewable energy is not just a hot topic—it’s the future. Under the global push for low-carbon development, all countries are seeking green solutions. This creates great opportunities for researchers and professionals alike. Let’s work together to advance green and renewable energy technologies and make meaningful contributions to a sustainable future.

We are pleased to announce that the 1st International Online Conference on Designs—Energy Systems and Artificial Intelligence is scheduled to take place online from 9 to 10 February 2026. The conference, organized by MDPI’s Designs (ISSN: 2411-9660), aims to gather researchers, professionals, and experts interested in this field to share their latest research findings, innovations, and experiences.

Conference Chair:

• Prof. Dr. Wenbin Yu, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, China

The Topics of Interest:
S1. Artificial Intelligence for Renewable Energy Systems and Optimization;
S2. Smart Grids and AI-Enabled Energy Management Systems;
S3. Intelligent Design and Control of Energy Storage Systems and Demand Response;
S4. AI-Enhanced Design Strategies for Energy Efficiency in Built and Urban Environments;
S5. Data-Driven Design for Energy Forecasting, Security, and Resilience;
S6. Digital Design Technologies for Energy Equipment and Systems.

Important dates:
Abstract submission deadline: 10 October 2025;
Abstract acceptance notification: 10 November 2025;
Registration deadline: 3 February 2026.

Guide for Authors:
To submit your abstract, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1387.

To register free for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/Designs2026?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/Designs2026?section=#instructions.

Conference Awards:

• Best Oral Presentation Award and Best Poster Award;
• There will be 4 winners selected for this award;
• The winner will receive a certificate and CHF 200 each.

We look forward to receiving your contribution to Designs 2026.

Conference Chair
Prof. Dr. Wenbin Yu
Designs 2026 Organizing Team (designs2026@mdpi.com)

Conference: 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE)
Date: 22–27 June 2025
Location: Vancouver, Canada

MDPI will attend the 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE) as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Vancouver, Canada, from 22 to 27 June 2025.

The 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE) is organized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

OMAE is where researchers present new advances in offshore and ship structures, reliable production methods, ocean engineering technology, and arctic sciences. And recently, OMAE has expanded to highlight research on offshore wind and solar energy, digitalization in key offshore operations, incorporation of advanced analytical techniques, and successful implementation of new technologies in the field.

Topics include the following:

• Structural Reliability;
• Materials Technology;
• Offshore Wind;
• Carbon Capture and Storage;
• Hydrogen Storage and Transport;
• Climate Change Impacts;
• Sustainable Solutions.
  

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• JMSE;
• Oceans;
• Coasts;
• Energies;
• Applied Sciences;
• Applied Mechanics;
• JMMP;
• Wind;
• Machines;
• ESA;
• NDT;
• Hydrology.
  

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #5 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://event.asme.org/OMAE.

We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.

Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.

We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award.  Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/. 

Chair:

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn Ohio State University, USA

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes.

Prof. Angelo Fontana University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy	Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe.
Prof. Binghe Wang Georgia State University, USA	Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas.
Dr. Diana Pinto University of Aveiro, Portugal	Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis.
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya Kyoto University, Japan	Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications.
Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel University of Strathclyde, UK	Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field.
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano University of Kentucky, USA	Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.
Prof. Wei Li University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA	A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents.

1. “Hydrogen Safety Challenges: A Comprehensive Review on Production, Storage, Transport, Utilization, and CFD-Based Consequence and Risk Assessment”
by Marcella Calabrese, Maria Portarapillo, Alessandra Di Nardo, Virginia Venezia, Maria Turco, Giuseppina Luciani and Almerinda Di Benedetto
Energies 2024, 17(6), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17061350
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/6/1350

2. “Hydrogen and the Global Energy Transition—Path to Sustainability and Adoption across All Economic Sectors”
by Praveen Cheekatamarla
Energies 2024, 17(4), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17040807
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/4/807

3. “Underground Hydrogen Storage Safety: Experimental Study of Hydrogen Diffusion through Caprocks”
by Eloisa Salina Borello, Sergio Bocchini, Angelica Chiodoni, Christian Coti, Marco Fontana, Filippo Panini, Costanzo Peter, Candido Fabrizio Pirri, Michel Tawil, Andrea Mantegazzi et al.
Energies 2024, 17(2), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020394
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/2/394

4. “Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles: Comparing the Powertrain Efficiency and Sustainability of Fuel Cell versus Internal Combustion Engine Cars”
by Kirill Durkin, Ali Khanafer, Philip Liseau, Adam Stjernström-Eriksson, Arvid Svahn, Linnéa Tobiasson, Tatiana Santos Andrade and Jimmy Ehnberg
Energies 2024, 17(5), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17051085
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/5/1085

5. “Investigating the Role of Byproduct Oxygen in UK-Based Future Scenario Models for Green Hydrogen Electrolysis”
by Cameron Campbell-Stanway, Victor Becerra, Shanker Prabhu and James Bull
Energies 2024, 17(2), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020281
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/2/281

6. “Underground Gas Storage in Saline Aquifers: Geological Aspects”
by Barbara Uliasz-Misiak and Jacek Misiak
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1666; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071666
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/7/1666

7. “Prediction of Hydrogen Adsorption and Moduli of Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Using Machine Learning Strategies”
by Nicole Kate Borja, Christine Joy E. Fabros and Bonifacio T. Doma, Jr
Energies 2024, 17(4), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17040927
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/4/927

8. “A Comprehensive Review on the Power Supply System of Hydrogen Production Electrolyzers for Future Integrated Energy Systems”
by Jianhua Lei, Hui Ma, Geng Qin, Zhihua Guo, Peizhou Xia and Chuantong Hao
Energies 2024, 17(4), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17040935
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/4/935

9. “Revolution in Renewables: Integration of Green Hydrogen for a Sustainable Future”
by Jimiao Zhang and Jie Li
Energies 2024, 17(16), 4148; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17164148
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/16/4148

10. “A Comprehensive Review of Bimetallic Nanoparticle–Graphene Oxide and Bimetallic Nanoparticle–Metal–Organic Framework Nanocomposites as Photo-, Electro-, and Photoelectrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction”
by Mogwasha Dapheny Makhafola, Sheriff Aweda Balogun and Kwena Desmond Modibane
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1646; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071646
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/7/1646