Announcements

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

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.

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 welcoming you to this no-fee conference.

If you have already registered, 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 honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Conference: The 4th Global Conference of Innovation Materials & MRS-K Spring Meeting (GCIM 2026)
Date: 31 May–4 June 2026
Location: ICC Jeju, Jeju Island, Republic of Korea

The 4th Global Conference of Innovation Materials & MRS-K Spring Meeting (GCIM 2026) aims to serve as a premier platform for fostering international exchange in the field of advanced materials science. The conference focuses on bridging the gap between fundamental research and industrial application, showcasing breakthroughs in sustainable, functional, and smart materials.

By bringing together leading scientists, engineers, and industry experts, GCIM 2026 is anticipated to be a forum for exploring the next generation of materials that will drive global innovation and address complex environmental challenges.

MDPI will be attending the 4th Global Conference of Innovation Materials & MRS-K Spring Meeting as an exhibitor. The event will take place from 31 May to 4 June 2026. We invite all attendees to visit our booth to explore potential collaborations, share professional insights, and discuss your latest research findings with us.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Materials;
• Sci;
• Crystals;
• Electronics;
• Fibers;
• Gels;
• Micro;
• Nanoenergy Advances;
• Physchem;
• Surfaces.

Our team is excited to welcome you to our booth for a face-to-face discussion and to assist with any of your inquiries. For more information regarding this conference, please visit the following website: https://gcim2026.org/index.php.

Conference: E-MRS Spring Meeting 2026
Date: 25–29 May 2026
Venue: Strasbourg Convention Centre, France

MDPI will be exhibiting at the E-MRS Spring Meeting 2026, which will be held from 25 to 29 May 2026 at the Strasbourg Convention Centre, France. The conference is organized by the European Materials Research Society (E-MRS).

This exciting event will bring together leading experts, researchers, and professionals in the materials science field to share their knowledge, present their latest discoveries, and provide valuable networking opportunities.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Materials;
• Polymers;
• Nanomanufacturing;
• Polysaccharides;
• Micro;
• Physchem;
• Compos. Sci;
• Electronic Materials;
• Construction Materials;
• Macromol;
• AI Materials;
• Fibers;
• Coatings;
• Symmetry;
• Applied Nano;
• CMD;
• C;
• Nanomaterials;
• Crystals;
• Molecules;
• Textiles.

If you are planning to attend the conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. 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://www.european-mrs.com/meetings/2026-spring-meeting-exhibit.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Dr. Shouke Yan, Section Editor-in-Chief of Materials, in April 2026.

Materials was very proud to have Professor Yan on its Editorial Board since 2020. Thanks to the outstanding contributions of Professor Yan, the “Polymeric Materials” Section was successfully launched in 2021, with Professor Yan and Professor Xuming Xie serving as its Section Editors-in-Chief.

He was always supportive of the journal and was very kind to all members of the Editorial Office. Under his leadership, the “Polymeric Materials” Section achieved significant growth and development.

His passing is a huge loss to the academic community and to all who knew him personally. We wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) is an open access journal published by MDPI. The journal’s scope can be found at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials.

Materials is an open access journal publishing spotlights, reviews, original research contributions, and short communications. We are currently seeking interested and qualified academic researchers to join our Editorial Board to guide the journal’s development.

As an Editorial Board Member, you can benefit from the following:

• A certificate in recognition of your position;
• Travel grants for selected conferences that are confirmed by the journal office;
• The opportunity to publish one paper free of charge per year in the journal and potential discounts for additional papers you invite;
• Freely organizing or promoting your own conferences by using our platform SciForum once a year;
• Expanding your research network and increasing your knowledge of your research field.

The initial term for this position is two years, encompassing the following responsibilities:

• Pre-screening and making decisions on new submissions within your area of research expertise;
• Launching Special Issues during your term on topics aligned with your research interests (or supervising Special Issues in your field of expertise);
• Helping attract expert authors and recommending early career scholars to join the Early Career Editorial Board;
• Providing input and feedback on journal policies and development;
• Helping to promote the journal to your academic peers and at relevant conferences;
• Attending Editorial Board meetings and contributing to strategic discussions on journal development;
• Reviewing manuscripts.

If you are interested in serving on the Editorial Board or have potential candidates to recommend, please do not hesitate to contact the Editorial Office (materials@mdpi.com). We thank you in advance for your interest and look forward to collaborating with you.

Dr. Agata Dorosz is one of the authors of the Title Story Paper entitled “The Use of Metal Oxides (Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂) and Supports (Glass and Kaolin) to Enhance DBD Plasma-Catalytic CO₂ Conversion” published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Dr. Agata Dorosz completed her PhD in chemical engineering (Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering). Her primary research interests focus on the intersection of plasma physics and heterogeneous catalysis, particularly for environmental applications. Her work centres on the development of novel catalytic packing materials for dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactors to optimise the conversion of greenhouse gases. Currently, her research activities involve investigating the synergistic effects between metal oxide catalysts and ceramic supports to enhance the energy efficiency of CO₂ utilisation processes.

Based on the positive evaluations by the reviewers and academic editors for Dr. Agata Dorosz’s group article, the article has been selected for inclusion in the journal’s Title Story.

“The Use of Metal Oxides (Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂) and Supports (Glass and Kaolin) to Enhance DBD Plasma-Catalytic CO₂ Conversion”
by Agata Dorosz, Krzysztof Zaraska, Michał Lewak, Artur Małolepszy, Jakub Jaworski and Arkadiusz Moskal
Materials 2025, 18(23), 5411; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18235411

The following is an interview with Dr. Agata Dorosz:

1. Congratulations on your published paper. Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
Our study investigates the pivotal role of materials serving as plasma-catalysis promoters within the packing bed of DBD reactors. Specifically, we examined how metal oxides like Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂, supported on glass and kaolin, influence CO₂ conversion. By combining experimental research with mathematical modelling, we explored how tailored packing characteristics can circumvent traditional constraints in plasma processes, simultaneously improving energy efficiency and maintaining high conversion rates.

2. What are the key takeaways you hope readers will gain from your paper?
The most vital takeaway is that the traditional trade-off between energy efficiency and conversion rates in plasma catalysis can be overcome through the precision engineering of the packing bed. Historically, researchers have often seen these two metrics as being in conflict, but our study demonstrates that a holistic approach—treating the physical and chemical effects as a single, coupled system—allows us to circumvent these constraints. We hope readers see that by tuning material characteristics rather than relying on standard supports, we can achieve a synergistic effect that makes CO₂ decomposition both chemically effective and energetically viable. In essence, we are moving the field from “observing” plasma effects to “designing” them for maximum industrial impact.

3. Was there a specific experience or event in your research career that led you to focus on your current field of research?
My interest in this field actually evolved from my earlier research on treating diesel exhaust using gliding-arc reactors. During that time, I encountered a significant practical challenge: the prohibitive pressure drops caused by the packing materials. This experience became a turning point, inspiring me to pivot towards dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) systems, where I saw a greater potential for controlling the plasma–material interface.
Combined with the urgent global need for carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), I became fascinated by the “non-equilibrium” nature of plasma—specifically the ability to trigger high-energy chemical reactions at room temperature. These early challenges with pressure and flow led me to focus my career on developing cost-effective catalytic supports, like kaolin, to ensure that environmental technologies are not just scientifically sound but also economically and operationally viable.

4. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations encountered in your current research?
A primary difficulty in this field is the “black-box” nature of plasma chemistry, where internal processes are often opaque, making it challenging to isolate the exact mechanisms that drive performance. To overcome this, we combined experimental work with kinetic modelling to gain a clearer perspective.
One of the most significant methodological innovations in our work is the introduction of the mass-normalised conversion efficiency factor. In plasma-catalysis research, authors often struggle to compare materials that excel in different, often conflicting metrics—such as high conversion versus low energy consumption. Moreover, standard metrics frequently overlook the physical quantity of the material used. Our new parameter accounts for the mass of the packing bed per energy unit, allowing for a more transparent, “apples-to-apples” comparison that considers both catalytic performance and the economic reality of material costs.
This approach proved particularly valuable when evaluating cost-effective materials like kaolin. We discovered that a higher CO₂ flow rate was associated with high conversion levels in our system, which is a vital finding from an economic perspective. It suggests that we can achieve high-throughput processing without sacrificing efficiency, moving the technology one step closer to viable industrial application.

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?
Advancements in additive manufacturing (3D printing) of catalysts and real-time plasma diagnostics offer immense opportunities for precision. The risk, however, lies in scaling: what works in a laboratory DBD reactor may face different energy-efficiency hurdles at an industrial scale. Future trends will likely shift towards "smart" materials with tuned dielectric properties designed specifically for fluctuating renewable energy inputs.

6. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to other young researchers?
The field is moving towards a much more integrated, multi-disciplinary perspective. My advice to young researchers is to embrace complexity. Do not treat the reactor and the catalyst as separate entities. Mastering both material science and fundamental plasma physics is challenging, but it is exactly where the most significant innovations are occurring.

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 is renowned for its commitment to bridging the gap between fundamental science and real-world engineering. We chose this journal because our research—which integrates material science, plasma technology, and kinetic modelling—demanded an interdisciplinary audience capable of appreciating the complex role of catalytic supports. Authors submitting to Materials can expect a highly professional editorial process and, most importantly, high visibility within a global community that values innovation in functional materials.

8. What is your experience publishing with Materials?
My experience was marked by a highly professional and systematic workflow. What I found particularly valuable was the constructive nature of the peer-review process; receiving a range of expert perspectives allowed us to ensure our findings were presented with maximum clarity. The editorial team’s responsiveness and the overall efficiency of the process are also worth noting, as they facilitate the timely dissemination of research in a field as dynamic as carbon utilisation.

9. How do you think the open access way of publishing impacts authors?
Open access is essential for maximising the real-world impact of scientific research. It ensures that our findings on CO₂ conversion—a topic of urgent global importance—are immediately accessible not only to the academic community but also to the engineers and industrial policy-makers who must implement these technologies. By removing financial barriers, open access fosters a more transparent and accelerated innovation cycle, which is crucial for addressing the environmental challenges we face today.

We are pleased to announce that new scholars have been appointed as Editorial Board Members (EBMs) for Materials (ISSN: 1996-144), effective March 2026. We wish our new members success in both their research and their efforts to develop the journal.

Name: Prof. Dr. Roberto Orrù
Affiliation: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica, Chimica e dei Materiali, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
Interests: combustion synthesis processes; spark plasma sintering; ultra-high-temperature ceramics; bioceramics and bioactive glasses

Name: Dr. Liangliang 'Paul' Huang
Affiliations: ¹ School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological & Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA; ² Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Interests: confinement and interfacial phenomena; molecular thermodynamics in complex environments; transport and reactivity under heterogeneity; predictive multiscale simulation; porous and functional materials modeling; environment-aware computational methods; AI/ML for molecular materials science

Name: Dr. Gregory Bizarri
Affiliation: School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Wharley End, Bedford, UK
Interests: functional materials; multiscale materials modelling and design; Materials 4.0

Name: Prof. Dr. Bo Jiao
Affiliation: Shaanxi Key Lab of Information Photonic Technique, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Interests: optoelectronic materials and devices; thin-film encapsulation technology

Name: Prof. Dr. Qing Zhang
Affiliation: School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639789, Singapore
Interests: physical properties; electronic; optoelectronic applications; carbon nanotubes; diamond-like carbon films; CVD diamond; graphene; several other nanostructures

Name: Dr. Hazim El-Mounayri
Affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN 47907, USA
Interests: advanced manufacturing; additive/hybrid manufacturing; digital twin for design and manufacturing; manufacturing process monitoring and control; model-based systems engineering

Name: Dr. Zibiao Li
Affiliation: Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Singapore
Interests: materials sustainability; polymeric materials for medical technologies

Name: Prof. Dr. Kristián Máthis
Affiliation: Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, 12116 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: mechanical properties of magnesium alloys and composites; in situ testing: acoustic emission, neutron- and X-ray diffraction; modeling of deformation behavior of metallic materials

Publications in Materials:
1. “Combination of In Situ Diffraction Experiments and Acoustic Emission Testing to Understand Compression Behavior of Mg-Gd Alloys”
by Gerardo Garces, Bryan W. Chavez, Pablo Pérez, Judit Medina, Kristian Mathis, Rafael Barea, Andreas Stark, Norbert Schell and Paloma Adeva.
Materials 2024, 17(22), 5654; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225654

2. “Annealing Behavior of a Mg-Y-Zn-Al Alloy Processed by Rapidly Solidified Ribbon Consolidation”
by Jenő Gubicza, Kristián Máthis, Péter Nagy, Péter Jenei, Zoltán Hegedűs, Andrea Farkas, Jozef Vesely, Shin-ichi Inoue, Daria Drozdenko and Yoshihito Kawamura.
Materials 2024, 17(18), 4511; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17184511

Name: Dr. Zhidong Zhang
Affiliation: Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
Interests: mass transport in porous media; low-carbon cementitious materials; cement hydration

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

Materials Editorial Office