Announcements

In atomic and molecular simulation, researchers have long-needed efficient ways to predict material properties in order to focus on the most promising real laboratory tests instead of redundant work. Addressing this challenge, Prof. Michele Parrinello introduced two transformative methods that have redefined the field: the Car–Parrinello method, which serves as a “virtual lab” for studying reactions and electronic properties, and the Parrinello–Rahman method, a cornerstone for crystal phase transition studies. His work has reshaped the way that we study atomic systems, earning him the status of one of the most cited scholars in his field.

To honor his enduring legacy and continued impact, MDPI has established the Michele Parrinello Award. This award celebrates innovation and recognizes senior scientists who have made outstanding contributions to computational physical sciences, spanning the fields of physics, chemistry, and materials science.

Access the full interview to hear his insights in this conversation.

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.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Xin-Gao Gong will serve as the Chair of the Michele Parrinello Award Committee.

Prof. Xin-Gao Gong is a distinguished computational condensed matter physicist and an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He serves as a professor and doctoral advisor at Fudan University, where his groundbreaking research has profoundly advanced our understanding of material properties through computational methods. Widely recognized for his leadership in the field, Prof. Gong was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2009. He also directs the Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences at Fudan University—a hub of innovation and discovery.

Under Prof. Gong’s leadership, the committee will focus on identifying innovative research in computational physical sciences, a multidisciplinary field that bridges physics, chemistry, and materials science. The committee will highlight fundamental advances with potential to drive progress across these domains, as the Michele Parrinello Award continues its mission to inspire excellence and recognize contributions that push scientific boundaries.

We recently had the honor of organizing an exclusive interview with Prof. Xin-Gao Gong. In this inspiring interview, Prof. Gong shares his academic journey from China to Italy, where he studied under the renowned Prof. Michele Parrinello and worked with one of the strongest research groups in condensed matter physics.

Prof. Gong also discusses the origins of the Michele Parrinello Award, which he proposed to honor excellence in computational physical sciences. Now chairing the award committee, he emphasizes its role in recognizing both senior researchers and inspiring young scientists to pursue innovation in fields like computational physics, chemistry, and materials science, especially in the age of AI-driven simulation.

Watch the full interview to hear his story and vision for the future of scientific excellence.

Dr. Sheila Devasahayam is one of the authors of the newsletter paper entitled “Interpretable Machine Learning for Identifying Key Variables Influencing Gold Recovery and Grade” published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Author’s introduction:

I am Dr. Sheila Devasahayam, a Senior Lecturer at Curtin University’s Western Australian School of Mines, specialising in minerals, energy, and chemical engineering. I hold two PhDs—one in materials science from the University of Queensland, Australia, and another in metallurgical science from the University of Madras, India. My research spans high-performance materials, polymer science, mineral processing, sustainable technologies, and the application of machine learning in resource recovery.

With over 60 peer-reviewed publications, several books and book chapters, and a patent application, I have contributed extensively to both academic and industrial advancements. My work has involved collaborations with leading organisations such as NASA, JAERI, BHP Billiton, JSPL and Moly Cop, and I have secured significant research funding for projects in critical minerals, green chemistry, and decarbonisation.

I am an active editor and reviewer for international journals, and I have served as a guest editor for Special Issues on sustainability and advanced materials. My teaching experience covers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in metallurgy, chemical engineering, and environmental policy, and I have supervised PhD and master’s students on topics ranging from mineral processing to sustainable energy.

Recognised as a Stanford–Elsevier Global Top 2% Scientist in mining & metallurgy since 2021, I am committed to advancing sustainable practices in the resources sector and fostering interdisciplinary research and education.

“Interpretable Machine Learning for Identifying Key Variables Influencing Gold Recovery and Grade”
by Sheila Devasahayam
Materials 2025, 18(18), 4318; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184318
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/18/18/4318

The following is an interview with Dr. Sheila Devasahayam:

1. Congratulations on your published paper. Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
My paper explores how interpretable machine learning can help us understand which factors really drive gold recovery and grade during flotation in mineral processing. Instead of just building a predictive model, I wanted to make the process more transparent and useful for engineers. Using a small but carefully designed dataset from Ballarat gold ore flotation, I applied Gradient Boosting and SHAP analysis to highlight the most influential variables. Power, head grade, and processing time consistently stood out, and we also uncovered interesting non-linear interactions. The main message is that interpretable ML can bridge the gap between complex modelling and practical process improvement—even when data is limited.

2. What are the key takeaways you hope readers will gain from your paper?
The main takeaway is that power, head grade, and processing time are critical for flotation performance. We also found that interactions between variables, like head grade and collector type, can significantly influence outcomes. By using interpretable ML, we can move beyond “black box” predictions and provide insights that help process engineers make more informed decisions. This approach is especially valuable in mineral processing, where large datasets are often hard to come by.

3. Was there a specific experience or event in your research career that led you to focus on your current field of research?
I’ve always been fascinated by the complexity of mineral processing and the challenge of making it more efficient and sustainable. In industry, engineers often struggle with models that predict well but don’t explain why. That gap between prediction and understanding motivated me to explore interpretable machine learning, so that we can make decisions based on clear, transparent insights rather than just numbers.

4. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations encountered in your current research?
One of the biggest challenges was working with a very small dataset, which is common in mineral processing because experiments are expensive and time-consuming. The breakthrough was showing that even with limited data, techniques like SHAP can reveal meaningful patterns and interactions. This opens the door for practical applications of AI in mineral processing without waiting for massive datasets.

5. Does technological progress provide new opportunities for the topic you are researching? Does it bring any potential risks? How do you think these factors will affect future research trends on this topic?
Technology is creating exciting opportunities—especially with explainable AI and real-time monitoring. These tools can help support process improvements and reduce energy use. But there are risks too. If we rely too heavily on models without validating them experimentally, we could make poor decisions. The future will be about combining AI with domain expertise to ensure insights are both accurate and actionable.

6. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to other young researchers?
The trend is clear: transparency and sustainability are becoming central in mineral processing research. My advice to young researchers is to embrace interdisciplinary approaches—combine data science with strong domain knowledge. Focus on solving real-world problems, and don’t be afraid to work with small datasets if that’s what the industry offers. Interpretable methods can still deliver big impact.

7. What appealed to you about the Materials journal that made you want to submit your paper? In your opinion, what can authors expect when they submit to Materials?
Materials stood out because of its strong reputation, rigorous peer review, and commitment to open access. It offers excellent visibility and a supportive editorial process, which is important when you want your work to reach both academics and industry professionals.

8. What is your experience publishing with Materials?
My experience was very positive. The reviewers provided constructive feedback that strengthened the paper, and the editorial team was responsive and professional. The promotion of the article through the newsletter was a great bonus—it helps the research reach a wider audience.

9. How do you think open access way of publishing impacts authors?
Open access is a game-changer. It makes research accessible to everyone—students, academics, and industry practitioners—without paywalls. This accelerates knowledge sharing and collaboration, and for authors, it means greater visibility and impact.

Conference: Nanomaterials 2026: Innovations and Future Perspectives
Date: 16–18 March 2026
Location: Barcelona, Spain

Nanomaterials 2026: Innovations and Future Perspectives will take place in Barcelona, Spain, from 16 to 18 March 2026. This conference aims to bring together researchers, industry professionals, and experts from around the world to share the latest advancements, exchange ideas, and foster collaborations in the field of nanomaterials and other advanced, hybrid or smart materials.

Over the course of three days, the conference will explore a wide range of topics, including “Nanomedicine & Bionanotechnology”, “Nanomaterials for energy and catalysis”, “Nanophotonic, Nanoelectronics, Nanosensors and Devices”, “Computational Nanoscience”, and “Environmental Applications and Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology”, through keynote lectures, oral presentations, and poster sessions. Our program is designed to provide an engaging platform for discussing cutting-edge research, emerging challenges, and future directions in the field.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Nanomaterials;
• Applied Nano;
• C;
• Coatings;
• JFB;
• Nanomanufacturing;
• Materials;
• Micromachines.

Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at our booth and answering any questions you may have. For more information regarding this conference, please visit the following website: https://sciforum.net/event/Nanomaterials2026.

We are pleased to announce that new scholars have been appointed as Editorial Board Members (EBMs) for Materials (ISSN: 1996-144), effective December 2025. We wish our new members success in both their research and their efforts to develop the journal.

Name: Dr. Armando Maestro
Affiliation: Materials Physics Center (CSIC-UPV/EHU), Spain
Interests: rheology; soft materials; colloid chemistry; interface science; light scattering; wettability; Interfacial mechanics; soft condensed matter physics; polymer physics

Name: Prof. Dr. Anna Rudawska
Affiliation: Lublin University of Technology, Poland
Interests: analysis of the influence of technological and structural factors on the strength of adhesive joints of polymers and metals; design of bonding technologies; testing of adhesive properties; issues related to obtaining the appropriate adhesive properties to increase the strength of adhesive joints; modification of epoxy adhesives; design of different assembly joint solutions; design of assembly technologies

Publications in Materials:
1. “Improving the Adhesive Properties by Sandblasting the Surface with Copper Slag and Glass Beads”
by Jacek Ogrodniczek, Anna Rudawska, Agnieszka Skoczylas and Sławomir Kocira
Materials 2025, 18(8), 1746; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081746

2. “Properties of Selected Additive Materials Used to Increase the Lifetime of Tools for Crushing Unwanted Growths Using Hardfacing by Welding Technology”
by Miroslava Ťavodová, Monika Vargová, Dana Stančeková, Anna Rudawska and Arkadiusz Gola
Materials 2025, 18(13), 3188; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18133188

3. “Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of the AlSi7CrMnCu2.5 Alloy and Their Changes After Heat Treatment”
by Pavel Kraus, Nataša Náprstková, Jaromír Cais, Sylvia Kuśmierczak, Klára Caisová, Anna Rudawska and Jan Sviantek
Materials 2025, 18(19), 4586; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194586

Name: Dr. Wangzhong Mu
Affiliation: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Interests: particle behaviours in metals; sustainable metallurgy; artificial intelligence (AI)-based material design

Publications in Materials:
“Metadynamic Recrystallization in the Isothermal Double Compression of CP800 Steel”
by Xiaoyu Yang, Zhenli Mi and Wangzhong Mu
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1549; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071549

Guest Editor of Materials:
“Microstructure–Property Relationships in Alloys: Simulation and Experimental Insights” Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026

The office is currently still recruiting Editorial Board Members and Guest Editors. Please contact the Editorial Office if you are interested in these positions.

In the event that you have not submitted your abstract for the 1st International Online Conference on Optics (IOCO 2026), upon receiving requests from authors to extend the submission deadline, we are delighted to announce that the new deadline for abstract submissions is 16 January 2026.

The conference is organized by the MDPI journal Optics (ISSN: 2673-3269, Impact Factor: 1.6) and chaired by Prof. Dr. Costantino De Angelis from the Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Italy and Prof. Dr. Thomas Seeger from the Institut Fluid - und Thermodynamik, Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Siegen, Germany. It will take place virtually from 25 to 27 March 2026, Central European Time.

Latest schedule:
New abstract submission deadline: 16 January 2026;
New abstract acceptance notification date: 10 February 2026;
Registration deadline: 23 March 2026;
Conference date: 25–27 March 2026.

IOCO 2026 is currently open for abstract submissions. You are invited to submit your abstract via the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1353.

To register for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/IOCO2026?section=#registration.

Topics of interest:
S1. Biomedical Optics
Session Chairs:

• Dr. Giuseppe Trusso Sfrazzetto, Department of Chemical Science, University of Catania, Italy;
• Dr. Francesco Chiavaioli, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IFAC), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

S2. Optoelectronics and Optical Engineering
Session Chair:

• Prof. Dr. Yuriy Garbovskiy, Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, USA.

S3. Geometrical Optics
Session Chair:

• Dr. Davide Rocco, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Italy.

S4. Photonics and Optical Communications
Session Chair:

• Dr. Jiahao Huo, School of Computer and Communication Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, China.

S5. Laser Sciences and Technology
Session Chair:

• Dr. Guido Toci, National Institute of Optics, National Research Council of Italy, Italy.

S6. Quantum Optics
Session Chair: Dr. Andrea Salamon, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.

We look forward to receiving your abstract and welcome you to register for this no-fee conference.

If you have already registered and submitted your abstract, we thank you.

Prof. Dr. Costantino De Angelis, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Italy;
Prof. Dr. Thomas Seeger, Institut Fluid - und Thermodynamik, Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Siegen, Germany
Conference Secretariat (ioco2026@mdpi.com)

We are pleased to announce that the 3rd International Online Conference on Biomimetics (IOCB2026) is scheduled to take place from 24 to 26 November 2026 online. The conference, organized by MDPI’s Biomimetics (ISSN: 2313-7673, impact factor: 3.9), welcomes submissions of original research, case studies, design prototypes, and conceptual frameworks that engage with any of the topics. Attendance is free.

Conference Chair: Prof. Dr. Stanislav N. Gorb, Zoological Institute of the University of Kiel, Germany.

Session topics:

S1. Biomimetic Design, Constructions and Devices;

S2. Biomimetic Materials—Structures, Surfaces and Interfaces;

S3. Bioinspired Robotics and Locomotion;

S4. Bioinspired Sensorics, Information Processing and Control;

S5. Biological Optimization and Management.

Conference awards:

• Best Oral Presentation Award;
• Best Poster Award.

Prize: The winners will receive a certificate and CHF 200 each.

Number of winners: 6.

Important dates:

Abstract submission deadline: 27 July 2026;

Notification of acceptance: 27 August 2026;

Registration deadline: 23 November 2026.

Guidance for authors:

To submit your abstract, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1693.

To register for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/IOCB2026?section=#registration.

For more information, you may refer to the following:
https://sciforum.net/event/IOCB2026?section=#instructions.

We look forward to receiving your contribution to the 3rd International Online Conference on Biomimetics (IOCB2026).

Prof. Dr. Stanislav N. Gorb (Conference Chair)

IOCB2026 Organizing Team (iocb2026@mdpi.com)

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) Travel Award. The award is presented every year to encourage junior scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences in the field of materials science and engineering, which helps build their profile.

The 2026 Materials Travel Award has been granted to the following two scholars:

Name: Dr. Julia Siminska-Stanny
Affiliation: Postdoctoral researcher in the Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

Dr. Julia Siminska-Stanny will attend the TERMIS EU 2026 Conference to be held from 21 April to 24 April 2026 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Name: Dr. Laura Simonini
Affiliation: Postdoctoral researcher in the University of Trento, Italy

Dr. Laura Simonini will attend the ECCM22—22nd European Conference on Composites Materials to be held from 21 June to 25 June 2026 in Oslo, Norway.

As the awardees, they will each receive an honorarium of CHF 800 and an electronic certificate.

With so many high-quality applicants, the evaluation process and final decision were challenging. We would like to thank all the applicants for submitting a diverse and fascinating range of research topics. On behalf of the assessment committee, we congratulate the winners on their accomplishments.

Materials Editorial Office

We have expanded our open access portfolio with eight new journals publishing their inaugural issues in December 2025, as well as three journal transfers. These additions span physical sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, environmental and Earth sciences, medicine and pharmacology, and public health and healthcare. We extend our sincere thanks to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who are shaping these journals’ direction. All journals uphold strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create more new journals, you are welcome to send an application here, or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).