Next-Generation Aerogels: Design, Properties, and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue of Gels, entitled “Next-Generation Aerogels: Design, Properties, and Applications,” focuses on recent advances in the design and development of aerogel materials enabled by modern fabrication techniques. It aims to present aerogel-based composites with improved properties including mechanical performance, thermal stability, dielectric constant, etc., using innovative characterization methods. The Issue also addresses emerging applications of aerogels and related aerogel composites, such as thermal insulation lightweight structural components, catalyst supports for chemical and environmental processes, energy storage and conversion devices (e.g., supercapacitors and battery electrodes), oil–water separation materials, and adsorbents for pollutant remediation.

Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:

• Design and development of novel aerogels and aerogel composites with improved properties, including approaches using machine learning
• Modeling and simulation involving polymer aerogels synthesis and properties
• Advanced characterization methods for aerogels, particularly nondestructive techniques
• New process development and cost-reduction strategies for aerogel production
• Applications of aerogels, aerogel composites, and aerogel particles

We invite high-quality submissions that advance both the fundamental understanding and practical applications of aerogel materials, and we look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Haiquan Guo
Guest Editor

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. Gels 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 2100 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.