Announcements

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 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 2nd Annual International Conference on Materials Science and Nanoscience to be held from 13 April to 15 April 2026 in Ixelles, Belgium.

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).

In 2025, driven by its commitment to high-quality publishing and international academic exchange, Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) has continued to thrive as a leading international open access journal. With the strong support of its Editorial Board Members, the journal has organized multiple editorial board meetings and events by leveraging a series of academic conferences and the geographical advantages of having an International Editorial Office. Our aim was to enhance collaboration within the materials science community, spotlight emerging research trends, and further strengthen the journal’s academic influence. Below is a summary of the Editorial Board meetings that were held this year.

The meetings included in-depth discussions on journal development strategies, recent breakthroughs within materials science, and the responsibilities that accompany being part of our Editorial Board. Participating experts also provided interesting insights on topics, including the applications of AI in academic publishing, how to improve the submission experience for our authors, how to strengthen academic collaboration, and upcoming conference suggestions. These discussions have reinforced the partnership between the journal and its Editorial Board and offered valuable guidance for the journal’s future development.

In the upcoming year, Materials will continue to collaborate closely with its Editorial Board to maintain research integrity, support innovative research, and serve the evolving needs of the global materials science community. Through active participation in key academic events worldwide, the journal remains dedicated to connecting with researchers and advancing materials science.

Conference: ACS Spring 2026
Organization: American Chemical Society
Date: 22−26 March 2026
Place: Atlanta, GA, USA
Booth: #726

A number of MDPI journals will be attending ACS Spring 2026 as exhibitors, an exciting event being held in Atlanta, GA, USA, from 22 to 26 March 2026.

ACS Meetings & Expositions are the prime location for chemistry professionals to meet in order to exchange ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. By attracting thousands of professionals in the field of chemistry, the meetings provide excellent opportunities for peers to engage with one another and share their passion for chemistry, connecting with one of the world's largest scientific societies and helping to advance careers in this ever-changing global field.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Molecules;
• IJMS;
• DDC;
• Analytica;
• AppliedChem;
• ChemEngineering;
• Colorants;
• Materials;
• Metals;
• Microplastics;
• Molbank;
• Reactions;
• Separations;
• Alloys.

If you are attending the above conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us at our booth, booth #726. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

MDPI offices in Belgrade and Barcelona joined hands to host a meeting for Editorial Board Members of the Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) based in Spain. The meeting was held in Madrid on 10 December 2025.

We are grateful for their attendance and valuable feedback and look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with academics in Spain and around the globe. With simultaneous participation both online and offline, the meeting started with a short introduction to the scholars attending, which continued with the presentation of the recent journal report and then concluded with an insightful discussion on the journal’s current status and its further development in collaboration with scholars.

It was a pleasure to meet with the scholars representing our Editorial Board.

 Attendee List Information (In No Particular Order)

Materials was glad to host the meeting not only to gain feedback from our Academic Editors on the journal development, but also to strengthen its link with the academic community.

We would like to use this opportunity to invite you to read some of the publications and Special Issues in Materials from our Editorial Board Members.

Special Issues:

• “Feature Papers in Materials Physics (2nd Edition)”
  Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Vlassios Likodimos and Prof. Dr. Andres Sotelo
• “Additives/Admixtures, Hydration Process and Durability Research (3rd Edition)”
  Guest Editors: Dr. Jurgita Malaiškienė and Prof. Dr. Carlos Leiva
  Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026
• “Advances in New Alloys, Polymers and Composites for Biomedical Applications”
  Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Javier Gil, Dr. Marta Pegueroles, Prof. Dr. Andreu Puigdollers and Prof. Dr. Alberto Caprioglio
• “Advances in the Design and Properties of New Ecoconcrete Formulations (2nd Edition)”
  Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Francisco Agrela, Dr. Julia Rosales and Dr. Manuel Cabrera Montenegro
• “Advanced Sustainable Cement-Based Materials”
  Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Francisco Agrela and Dr. Julia Rosales
  Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026
• “Advanced Materials in Implant and Prosthetic Dentistry: From Innovation to Clinical Application”
  Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Tonino Traini and Prof. Dr. Eugenio Velasco-Ortega
  Deadline for manuscript submissions: 23 June 2026
• “Waste Materials: Recycle and Valorize”
  Guest Editors: Dr. Lorena Alcaraz and Dr. Olga Rodríguez Largo
  Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 

• “New Discovery of Natural Zeolite-Rich Tuff on the Northern Margin of the Los Frailes Caldera: A Study to Determine Its Performance as a Supplementary Cementitious Material”;
• “Rheological Behavior of Oil Well Cement Slurries with Addition of Core/Shell TiO2@SiO2 Nanoparticles—Effect of Superplasticizer and Temperature”;
• “Development of Acoustic Absorbent Materials Using Pine Needles”;
• “FGD-Gypsum Waste to Capture CO₂ and to Recycle in Building Materials: Optimal Reaction Yield and Preliminary Mechanical Properties”;
• “Life-Cycle Assessment and Environmental Costs of Cement-Based Materials Manufactured with Mixed Recycled Aggregate and Biomass Ash”;
• “An Evaluation of the Radioactive Content of Ashes Obtained from the Use of Fuels from Recycled Materials by Co-Processing in the Cement Industry”;
• “Carbonation Resistance of Ternary Portland Cements Made with Silica Fume and Limestone”.

• “Long-Term Clinical Study on Sandblasted–Acid-Etched Surface Dental Implants: 12-Year Follow-Up”;
• “The Topography of Titanium in Dental Implants: Key to Osseointegration and Bactericidal Capacity”;
• “Effect of Tribocorrosion on Mechanical Behavior of Titanium Dental Implants: An In Vitro Study”;
• “Critical Questions Surrounding the Shot-Blasting Treatment of Titanium Dental Implants”;
• “Mechanical Behavior of PEEK and PMMA Graphene and Ti6Al4V Implant-Supported Frameworks: In Silico Study”.

• “High Purity, Crystallinity and Electromechanical Sensitivity of Lead-Free (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.10Ti0.90)O3 Synthesized Using an EDTA/glycerol Modified Pechini Method”;
• “Multipurpose X-Ray Stage and Its Application for In Situ Poling Studies”;
• “Polyurethanes Made with Blends of Polycarbonates with Different Molecular Weights Showing Adequate Mechanical and Adhesion Properties and Fast Self-Healing at Room Temperature”. 

• “Study of a Fire-Resistant Plate Containing Fly Ashes Generated from Municipal Waste Incinerator: Fire and Mechanical Characteristics and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment”;
• “Sustainable Fire-Resistant Materials: Thermal, Physical, Mechanical, and Environmental Behavior of Walls with Waste from the Aquaculture Industry”;
• “Tensile Fracture Behaviour of Prismatic Notched Specimens of Cold Drawn Pearlitic Steel: A Macro- and Micro-Approach”;
• “Tensile Fracture Behaviour of Prismatic Notched Specimens of Cold Drawn Pearlitic Steel: A Macro- and Micro-Approach”.