Announcements

We are honored to recognize the 2024 MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers—scholars whose exemplary commitment to rigorous and constructive peer review is vital in upholding the highest standards of academic publishing.

Selected from a distinguished pool of 215,000 reviewers from 65 countries and regions worldwide, these honorees stand out for their exceptional expertise, diligence, and dedication to advancing research through timely and thoughtful reviews. Their constructive and impartial feedback ensures the publication of high-quality, impactful research, while their timely reviews facilitate swift revisions and faster publication of innovative work.

Peer review is the invisible foundation of academic progress. With gratitude and respect, we celebrate these 1000 scholars who made that foundation stronger in 2024. We respected all privacy preferences, with part of nominees opting for limited attribution.

The names of these reviewers are listed below in alphabetical order by first name:

The 14th International Conference on High-Performance Ceramics (CICC-14) will be held in Haikou, China, from 30 November to 3 December 2025. The CICC series will be hosted by the Chinese Ceramic Society.

Topics include the following:

• Porous ceramics and their applications in energy and environment;
• Polymer-derived ceramics;
• Progress in 3D printing and additive manufacturing;
• Data driven and AI for ceramics and composites;
• Novel ceramic coatings and technology;
• Transparent ceramics and luminescent materials;
• Frontiers in advanced structural ceramics and composites: from daily use to extreme heat.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Materials;
• Ceramics;
• Crystals;
• Coatings.

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 our booth and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://cicc14.ceramsoc.com/.

Conference: 2025 National Polymer Academic Paper Conference of the Chinese Chemical Society
Date: 22–26 November 2025
Location: Guangzhou, China

MDPI is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the 2025 National Polymer Academic Paper Conference of the Chinese Chemical Society, a leading academic event in the field of polymer science. This conference will be held from 22 to 26 November 2025, in Guangzhou, China, organized by the Polymer Division of the Chinese Chemical Society and co-hosted by the South China University of Technology.

We welcome you to visit MDPI at booth #D32 for engaging discussions and exclusive offers. Do not miss our special booth activity!

Simply check in at our booth to spin the prize wheel and win a variety of MDPI gifts. Join us for a fun and rewarding experience!

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Polymers;
• Macromol;
• Microplastics;
• Textiles;
• Fibers;
• J. Compos. Sci.;
• Materials;
• Polysaccharides;
• Physchem;
• Molecules;
• Gels;
• Coatings.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to contact us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you at booth #D32 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about this event, please visit the following link: https://www.polymerchina.com.cn/?page=550428&j.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Gonzalo Alvarez-Perez has won the Materials 2024 Best PhD Thesis Award. As a winner he will receive CHF 800 and a free voucher for article processing fees valid for one year in Materials (IF: 3.2, ISSN: 1996-1944).

Dr. Gonzalo Álvarez-Pérez completed his PhD in condensed matter physics, nanoscience, and biophysics at the University of Oviedo, Spain, where he investigated the interaction between mid-infrared light and strongly anisotropic two-dimensional materials under the supervision of Dr. Pablo Alonso-González and Dr. Alexey Nikitin. His thesis received multiple national and international distinctions, including the 2024 Best Experimental Thesis Award from the Condensed Matter Division of the Spanish Royal Physical Society, and was selected for publication in the Springer Theses series. During his PhD, he completed research stays at Columbia University (New York, USA) in Prof. Dmitri Basov’s lab through a Fulbright Fellowship and at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society (Berlin, Germany) in Dr. Alexander Paarmann’s lab. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology (Lecce, Italy) in Dr. Cristian Ciracì’s lab, where he explores nonlocal nonlinearities and hydrodynamic effects in semiconductors for all-optical neuromorphic computing. In 2026, he will begin his independent research program, supported by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship.

The following is an interview with Dr. Gonzalo Alvarez-Perez:

My doctoral research explored how light behaves at the nanometer scale, where reality is governed by the counterintuitive principles of quantum mechanics. Studying physics in these dimensions, which are comparable to atoms and molecules and about 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, is not only interesting in itself but also enables the design of materials and devices that harness quantum effects for new functionalities. This lies at the heart of nanotechnology. However, controlling light at such tiny scales remains a fundamental challenge due to the diffraction limit, which prevents conventional optics from focusing light to regions smaller than roughly half its wavelength. In essence, light and the nanoscale are two domains that are difficult to reconcile. That is why we cannot see individual molecules or atoms with our eyes or standard optical microscopes. To overcome this barrier, scientists have developed alternative approaches. One of the most promising involves polaritons, which arise from the coupling between light and matter. They can be pictured as waves on the surface of the sea, created by the interaction between air and water. In a similar way, polaritons are electromagnetic waves—essentially light waves—traveling along the surface of materials. Because of this hybrid nature, their properties depend strongly on the material itself. This matter component not only allows light to be confined to dimensions far smaller than the diffraction limit but also enables the tuning of its behavior through the choice of material. In atomically thin materials such as graphene, these effects become even more pronounced, opening new avenues for manipulating light at the nanoscale. Beyond graphene, thousands of other two-dimensional materials exhibit diverse optical responses, including strong anisotropy, that allow for directional guiding and control of light. In my thesis, we established the fundamental principles underlying hyperbolic phenomena such as anomalous refraction and negative reflection; uncovered new mechanisms for polariton propagation and interaction, such as stacking and twisting these layers; and proposed strategies for their active control, like gating and applying gate voltages.

I don’t think it’s very meaningful to divide doctoral graduates, or people in general, into “outstanding” and “not outstanding”. Reality is rarely that binary. Success in a PhD, as in life, depends on many factors beyond individual talent, such as mentorship, timing, and even luck. What truly matters, I believe, is curiosity and having critical sense and the willingness to question assumptions, including one’s own.

My current research focuses on the mid-infrared spectral range. This region has a lot of potential for chemical sensing, thermal management, and on-chip optical communications but still faces challenges when it comes to developing those technologies. These range from the difficulty of finding industry-compatible materials for photonics to the difficulty of integrating efficient on-chip sources and detectors. Still, the field is moving fast: highly anisotropic polaritons, as we discussed before, now enable deep subwavelength, low-loss light and directional propagation. People have also developed record Q-integrated resonators in the mid-IR. Quantum cascade lasers and optical parametric amplifiers provide good-quality mid-infrared sources that we didn’t have decades ago. Achieving active tunability and strong nonlinear optical responses remains another big obstacle. In my postdoctoral work I’m studying nonlinearities that arise from non-local electron interactions in doped semiconductors. These effects are naturally strong, tunable, and ultrafast, offering a powerful method to control light at the nanoscale, with some potential for signal processing and optical AI.

Absolutely. Technological progress has completely changed what’s possible in this field. Advances in laser sources—such as optical parametric oscillators, quantum cascade and free-electron lasers, and ultrafast systems—together with high-sensitivity detectors have transformed our ability to study materials in the mid-infrared. At the same time, techniques like scattering-type near-field microscopy, even under cryogenic or magneto-cryogenic conditions, and the complementary progress in electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy now let us probe optical modes and electronic excitations with incredible control and resolution, both in time and space, and directly correlate them with structural and chemical features. In parallel, high-quality semiconductor growth by molecular beam epitaxy and improved 2D material fabrication methods, from exfoliation and transfer to chemical growth, have opened the door to exploring light–matter interactions, polaritonic behavior, and collective electronic effects that were simply out of reach a few years ago.

There’s no single path to doing science. At its heart, science is driven by curiosity, by the genuine desire to understand how things work. My advice would be to stay true to that curiosity. The reality of academia today can make it difficult, as success is often measured through publications, awards, and metrics like the h-index. It’s a system we are all pushed to navigate, but it shouldn’t define you. Learn to use it strategically: publish, seek funding, build visibility—but always in service of the questions that truly excite you. And, whenever possible, contribute to reshaping the culture toward something that values meaning and discovery over mere performance.

When choosing a journal, I prioritize its scientific reputation and rigor. Unfortunately, prestige still matters a lot, especially early in one’s career, when visibility can determine future opportunities. What I consciously avoid are predatory or low-quality journals, both as an author and as a reviewer. Regarding open access journals like Materials, I think the idea is good (knowledge should be accessible) but too often the model is driven more by profit than by scientific value. Open access only makes sense if it maintains high editorial standards and real peer review; otherwise, it just becomes another symptom of a broken system that confuses quantity with quality.

It’s a modest award, but it still feels nice to be recognized; we all appreciate a bit of validation. For me, it’s especially meaningful because I’ve heard that young researchers are finding the thesis useful and accessible. That was one of my main goals: to write the kind of text I would have liked to read when I started my PhD. This wouldn’t have been possible without my supervisors, Dr. Pablo Alonso-González and Dr. Alexey Nikitin, who have been exceptional mentors, both scientifically and personally. I’m also deeply grateful to everyone who contributed along the way: colleagues from Alex Paarmann’s group at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin, Josh Caldwell’s lab at Vanderbilt, Dmitri Basov’s group at Columbia University, Susanne Kehr’s group at TU Dresden, and many others. And, of course, to my closest ones, who have always taught me, supported me, and created the conditions for everything else to happen, they’re the ones who really deserve an award.

Dr. Sabina Galus is one of the corresponding authors of the Volume 18, Issue 16’s Cover Paper entitled “The Effects of Gamma-Decalactone on the Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Pectin-Based Packaging Films” published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Dr. Sabina Galus completed her PhD in food science and technology at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland. Her research interests include food packaging, food coating, and new food product development. Dr. Galus has experience developing bio-based active and intelligent packaging materials for food applications. Currently, her work focuses on the study of novel functional and sustainable materials, such as films or pouch packaging, and circular food products.

Based on the positive evaluations by the reviewers and academic editors for Dr. Sabina Galus’s group article, we have selected their article as the Issue Cover for display on the Materials website.

The following is an interview with Dr. Sabina Galus:

This paper focuses on an innovative strategy for active, biodegradable food packaging through the incorporation of gamma-decalactone (GDL), a natural aromatic compound with antimicrobial properties, into apple-pectin-based edible films. The addition of GDL significantly modified the film structure, resulting in enhanced light barrier properties, a more porous microstructure (confirmed by SEM), and reduced tensile strength. The films also exhibited lower water vapour sorption and increased gas permeability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed interactions between GDL and the polymer matrix. The films with GDL exhibited antimicrobial properties against various microbial species, including bacteria, yeasts, and moulds. These results highlight GDL’s dual function as a natural aromatic and antimicrobial agent, supporting its potential application in sustainable packaging for perishable foods.

Readers should have a clear indication that the incorporation of aromatic compounds, such as gamma-decalactone, may not only affect the odour of the packaging material but also provide functional aspects such as antimicrobial effects and modified physical properties. However, these results require further research regarding practical applications for food.

Edible packaging, a new research area for my PhD thesis, prompted me to seek opportunities for acquiring new analytical techniques and sharing expertise beyond the University. Consequently, I spent six months at the University of Burgundy, France, during my PhD research, focusing on bio-based packaging. This supportive stay, along with other collaborations with researchers from various institutions, significantly influenced my current interests and underscored the importance of sustainable food packaging research.

Numerous studies address novel packaging materials, a clear response to environmental concerns regarding packaging waste management. I focus on innovations in food packaging, particularly active materials that may influence food quality and safety. My current research encountered significant challenges in optimising biopolymer-based material formulations. The goal is to ensure structural integrity while achieving desired functional properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial or intelligent response. The main aspects we should consider are the practical application of new materials and their potential future use.

My publishing experience with Materials has been positive. The submission process was suitable, and the editorial team was responsive and helpful. The precise peer-review process ensured the quality of the work. Additionally, the publication’s visibility and reach effectively disseminated my research to a broader audience. Overall, it has been a rewarding experience, facilitating the contribution of two papers to the field.

In my opinion, open access publishing impacts authors by increasing the visibility and potential impact of their work. It makes papers more accessible to a global audience, potentially leading to higher citations and affecting the possibility of collaboration with other researchers.

We cordially invite you to attend the 1st International Online Conference on Dentistry (IOCDT 2026) organized by MDPI’s Dentistry Journal (ISSN: 2304-6767, Impact Factor: 3.1), which will take place online via the Sciforum platform on 7–9 October 2026, Central European Summer Time (CEST).

Conference Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Claude Jaquiéry, ¹ Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland; ² Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Switzerland;
• Prof. Dr. Georgios Romanos, ¹ Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, United States; ² Department of Oral Surgery and Implant Dentistry, J.W. Goethe University, Germany;
• Prof. Dr. Gianrico Spagnuolo, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy.

Topics of Interest:
S1. Preventive Dentistry and Oral Hygiene;
S2. Dental Materials;
S3. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics;
S4. Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics, and Dental Traumatology;
S5. Periodontics and Implant Dentistry;
S6. Lasers in Dentistry;
S7. Digital Dentistry;
S8. AI in Dentistry.

Important Dates:
Deadline for abstract submission: 5 June 2026;
Notification of acceptance: 31 July 2026;
Deadline for registration: 1 October 2026.

Submit your abstract here!
Register for the conference here!

For any inquiries regarding the event, please contact us at iocdt2026@mdpi.com.

Mr. Saeed Behseresht is one of the corresponding authors of the newsletter article entitled “Additive Manufacturing of Composite Polymers: Thermomechanical FEA and Experimental Study” published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Conference: The International Battery Materials Association Annual Meeting 2025
Date: 9–14 November 2025
Location: Singapore

MDPI will be attending the International Battery Materials Association Annual Meeting 2025 as an exhibitor. The event will take place in Singapore, from the 9 to 14 November 2025. The IBA annual conference series began in 1975 and has established a strong reputation for state-of-the-art presentations and information exchange on the latest emerging battery technologies and their wide-ranging applications.

We are quite hopeful that this IBA 2025 conference will provide an excellent forum for interaction and friendship with world-wide renowned battery researchers for battery R&D.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Batteries;
• Energies;
• WEVJ;
• Electronic Materials;
• Nanomaterials;
• Materials;
• Clean Technol.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please do not hesitate to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://iba2025.com/.

Nine new journals covering a range of subjects launched their inaugural issues in September 2025. We are excited to be able to share with you the newest research rooted in the value of open access.

We extend our sincere thanks to all Editorial Board Members for their commitment and expertise. Each journal is dedicated to upholding 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).

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

Name: Dr. Enric Stern-Taulats
Affiliation: Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
Interests: functional materials; phase transitions; coupling of degrees of freedom; solid-state cooling; magnetic shape-memory alloys; rare-earth compounds; ferroelectric oxides

Name: Prof. Dr. Liang Fang
Affiliation: Chongqing University, China
Interests: semiconductor thin films and optoelectronic devices; micro-nano fabrication of thin film transistors; wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant surface treatment technology; new nano energy storage materials

Prof. Dr. Liang Fang’s publications in Materials:

1. “Fabrication and Optoelectronic Properties of Advanced Quinary Amorphous Oxide Semiconductor InGaZnSnO Thin Film”
by Hongyu Wu, Liang Fang, Zhiyi Li, Fang Wu, Shufang Zhang, Gaobin Liu, Hong Zhang, Wanjun Li and Wenlin Feng
Materials 2025, 18(9), 2090; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18092090

2. “Surface-Modification Strategy to Produce Highly Anticorrosive Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-Based Polymer Composite Coatings: A Mini-Review”
by Shufang Zhang, Guoqin Zhang, Liang Fang, Zhiheng Wang, Fang Wu, Gaobin Liu, Qirui Wang and Hongen Nian
Materials 2025, 18(3), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030653 

3. “Study on Quantitative Adjustment of CD Bias and Profile Angle in the Wet Etching of Cu-Based Stacked Electrode”
by Dan Liu, Liang Fang, Zhonghao Huang, Jianguo An, Xu Wu, Fang Wu, Wenxiang Chen and Gaobin Liu
Materials 2025, 18(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18010116

4. “Formation Mechanism and Prevention of Cu Undercut Defects in the Photoresist Stripping Process of MoNb/Cu Stacked Electrodes”
by Dan Liu, Liang Fang, Zhonghao Huang, Haibo Ruan, Wenxiang Chen, Jing Xiang, Fang Wu and Gaobin Liu
Materials 2024, 17(20), 5008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17205008 

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

Materials Editorial Office