Fractal Theory and Complexity Science: From Multiscale Modeling to Real-World Applications
A special issue of Fractal and Fractional (ISSN 2504-3110). This special issue belongs to the section "Complexity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2027
Editors
Interests: fractal theory; shale; shale gas; unconventional reservoirs; pore; fracture; rock mechanics; hydraulic fracturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: shale; shale oil; unconventional reservoirs; pore; fracture; fractal
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Complex systems across natural and engineering domains often exhibit multiscale structures, nonlinear behaviors, and intrinsic heterogeneity, making their accurate characterization and prediction challenging. Fractal theory and complexity science provide powerful frameworks for quantifying irregular patterns, self-similarity, scale-dependent phenomena, and dynamic interactions in such systems. These approaches have demonstrated significant potential in advancing multiscale modeling, data-driven analysis, and optimization strategies across various real-world applications.
This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality original research and review articles focusing on the development and application of fractal theory and complexity science in multiscale systems. Particular emphasis is placed on unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, where complex pore-fracture networks, heterogeneous rock properties, and nonlinear transport mechanisms require advanced fractal-based characterization and modeling approaches. Contributions may explore fractal analysis of pore structures, petrophysical property prediction, rock mechanics, fluid transport, and hydraulic fracturing optimization, while also extending to broader applications in complex materials, geosciences, engineering systems, and intelligent modeling.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Fractal characterization and multiscale modeling of complex structures;
- Fractal analysis of pore-fracture networks in unconventional reservoirs;
- Fractal correlations between petrophysical properties and transport mechanisms;
- Fractal-based modeling of rock mechanics, fracture evolution, and hydraulic fracturing processes;
- Multiscale fractal approaches for characterizing heterogeneous materials and natural systems;
- Fractal dynamics and nonlinear transport phenomena in porous media;
- Integration of fractal theory, complexity science, digital modeling, and machine learning;
- Data-driven fractal modeling and optimization for complex systems and engineering applications.
Dr. Hongjian Zhu
Dr. Tao Hu
Dr. Hongye Feng
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fractal and Fractional is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- fractal theory
- complexity science
- multiscale modeling
- nonlinear systems
- porous media
- unconventional reservoirs
- pore-fracture networks
- petrophysical characterization
- machine learning
- digital rock physics
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