Announcements

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

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. 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 a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.

Dr. Anthoula Poulia is one of the authors of the newsletter paper entitled “Latest Advancements and Mechanistic Insights into High-Entropy Alloys: Design, Properties and Applications”, published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Dr. Anthoula Poulia received her bachelor degree in materials science and engineering from the University of Ioannina, Greece, in 2021, her master degree from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, under the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program “Materials Science and Technology” at the School of Chemical Engineering, and, in 2018, completed her PhD on high-entropy alloys from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ioannina, Greece.

From 2019 to 2020, she worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Composite and Smart Materials Laboratory. Following this, from 2020 to 2025, she worked as a researcher at the University of Oslo. She has participated in a groundbreaking project focusing on the additive manufacture of magnetic high-entropy alloys for renewable electricity applications and an Allotherm project focusing on the design of high-throughput alloys for the production of superior thermoelectric materials.

Her scientific interests lie mainly in the study of metallic alloys, with emphasis on high-entropy alloys, with their mechanical, tribological, and magnetic properties being her field of expertise. More recently, her research has extended to include investigations of their thermoelectrical properties.

In light of the strong positive evaluations delivered by reviewers and academic editors of Dr. Anthoula Poulia’s group’s article, it has been selected for inclusion in the journal’s newsletter.

“Latest Advancements and Mechanistic Insights into High-Entropy Alloys: Design, Properties and Applications”
by Anthoula Poulia and Alexander E. Karantzalis
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5616; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245616

The following is an interview with Dr. Anthoula Poulia:

1. Congratulations on your published paper. Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
Thank you! This comprehensive review provides a state-of-the-art analysis of high-entropy alloys (HEAs), focusing primarily on the breakthrough literature published between 2022 and 2025. The paper moves beyond the traditional “trial-and-error” approach to alloy design, instead offering a deep dive into the mechanistic insights that govern the extraordinary properties of these multi-principal element materials.
The research content is structured around several critical advancements in the field:

• Thermodynamic & Structural Fundamentals: The paper explores how high configurational entropy stabilizes simple solid solution phases (like FCC and BCC) and discusses new descriptors—such as the Φ (entropy-excess) parameter and electronegativity metrics—that go beyond the simple “Boltzmann” entropy definition to predict phase stability more accurately;
• Advanced Design Strategies: A significant portion of the work is dedicated to accelerated material discovery. It highlights the integration of computational tools like CALPHAD modeling, density functional theory (DFT), and particularly machine learning (ML) to navigate the astronomically large compositional space of HEAs;
• Processing & Microstructural Control: The review examines modern manufacturing routes, including additive manufacturing (AM) (e.g., selective laser melting) and high-frequency induction heat sintering (HFIHS). It explains how these techniques allow for refined microstructures and “site-specific” compositional tuning;
• Deformation Mechanisms: The paper provides mechanistic insights into why HEAs often possess mutually exclusive properties, such as high strength combined with high ductility. It attributes this to complex pathways like lattice distortion strengthening, sluggish diffusion, and twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP);
• Applications & Future Outlook: Finally, the research highlights the transition of HEAs from laboratory curiosities to industrial solutions. It showcases their performance in extreme environments, including cryogenic applications, high-temperature aerospace components, and functional roles in catalysis, radiation-resistant nuclear materials, and energy storage.

In essence, the paper serves as both a retrospective of recent successes and a strategic roadmap for the next generation of "precision-designed" metallic materials.

2. What are the key takeaways you hope readers will gain from your paper?
The key takeaways should primarily focus on the shift from empirical discovery to predictive engineering.
The true legacy of HEAs is not just the discovery of a “super-alloy”, but the revolution in how we design materials. We are entering an era of compositional complexity, where we no longer fear the chaos of multiple elements, but harness it.
Moving forward, our research interest shifts toward precision metallurgy. By combining machine learning with additive manufacturing, we are moving away from “finding” materials and toward “coding” them. In other words, we design specific atomic-level distortions to meet the exact demands of hydrogen storage, deep-space exploration, and sustainable energy. The next decade will be about moving these alloys out of the lab and into the engines and reactors that will define the 21st century.

3. Was there a specific experience or event in your research career that led you to focus on your current field of research?
In traditional metallurgy, we were always taught that to get specific properties, you start with one solvent element. My shift toward high-entropy alloys was driven by the realization that this “single-host” approach had reached a plateau.
The specific turning point for me was seeing the first datasets on Refractory HEAs (like the MoTaNbVW system) when I started working with such systems in my PhD research back in 2014. These alloys weren’t just marginally better; they exhibited properties that theoretically shouldn’t coexist, like maintaining extreme strength at temperatures where traditional superalloys would simply soften or melt.
I realized that we were essentially standing at the edge of a “compositional wilderness”. For decades, we ignored the center of the phase diagram where five or six elements meet in equal parts because we assumed it would result in a brittle, useless mess of intermetallic compounds. Seeing that high configurational entropy could actually simplify and stabilize these structures into beautiful, high-performance solid solutions was the “spark”. It turned metallurgy from a game of refinement into a game of infinite possibility.

4. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations encountered in your current research?
Research in 2026 has transitioned from exploratory mixing to the precision engineering of atomic-scale architectures, driven by the need to overcome the “curse of dimensionality” and the brittle nature of traditional multi-component blends. A primary difficulty remains the massive compositional space, where over 10^12 potential five-element iterations render traditional trial-and-error metallurgy obsolete. Furthermore, researchers struggle with phase instability, where the desired single-phase solid solutions often decompose into brittle intermetallic compounds during industrial cooling, and the “sluggish diffusion” effect, while beneficial for high-temperature creep resistance, complicates the homogenization of large-scale ingots.
Breakthrough innovations have countered these hurdles by integrating AI for science frameworks that utilize the Dempster–Shafer theory to fuse fragmented experimental data with physics-informed neural networks, slashing discovery cycles for refractory and lightweight alloys from years to mere weeks. On the manufacturing front, the adoption of Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) provides ultra-fast cooling rates up to 10^6 K/s, effectively “freezing” metastable states and preventing phase segregation. Additionally, the mastery of Short-Range Order (SRO) engineering—tuning the local preference of atomic neighbors—has allowed scientists to break the traditional strength–ductility trade-off, producing materials like the recent Ti-Zr-Nb-Mo-Ta series that exhibit “bone-like” stiffness for implants and extreme durability for aerospace turbines.

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 in this topic?
Technological progress in 2026 acts as both a primary catalyst and a regulatory hurdle for high-entropy alloys (HEAs), shifting the research focus from “discovery” to “sustainability and certification”.

• New Opportunities:
  The most significant opportunity stems from the fusion of Generative AI and Autonomous Self-Driving Labs. By 2026, researchers are using physics-informed neural networks to navigate the billions of possible HEA combinations, identifying “sweet spots” for properties like radiation resistance or hydrogen embrittlement in days rather than decades. Furthermore, additive manufacturing (AM) has matured; it is no longer just a shaping tool but a metallurgical one. The extreme cooling rates of AM allow for the creation of “metastable” HEAs that cannot exist via traditional casting, opening doors to ultra-lightweight alloys for electric vehicles (EV) and biocompatible implants that mimic the elasticity of human bone.
• Potential Risks:
  The complexity of HEAs introduces unique risks, particularly regarding resource criticality and lifecycle toxicity. Many high-performing HEAs rely on a “cocktail” of elements like cobalt, tantalum, or niobium, which are subject to supply chain volatility and whose mining presents environmental concerns. Additionally, the stability that makes HEAs attractive makes them a “recycling nightmare”. Separating five or more principal elements from a single solid solution at the end of a product’s life is energy-intensive and currently lacks an industrial-scale solution. There is also emerging concern over the nanotoxicity of HEA powders used in 3D printing, which require stricter handling protocols than traditional steel or aluminum powders.
• Future Research Trends:
  These factors are driving three dominant trends for the late 2020s:
  • Eco-Design (Low-Entropy HEAs): Research is pivoting toward “Lean HEAs” that replace expensive or toxic elements with abundant ones like iron, aluminum, and manganese without sacrificing performance;
  • Circular Metallurgy: Significant funding is shifting toward “design for recyclability”, exploring how to use HEAs as “master alloys” that can be blended into lower-grade scrap to upgrade its properties;
  • Quantum Design: First-principles calculations are used to predict how electrons interact within a complex multi-element lattice. Quantum modeling transforms HEA development from trial-and-error chemistry into a precise “materials-by-design” strategy centered on subatomic stability.

6. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to other young researchers?
To evaluate research trends in a rapidly shifting field like high-entropy alloys (HEAs), one must look beyond traditional metallurgy and embrace a multi-dimensional approach.
In particular, I assess the field through three primary shifts:

• From Discovery to Prediction: Moving beyond “trial-and-error” by tracking the integration of machine learning (ML) and CALPHAD to predict performance in extreme environments.
• Sustainability: A growing focus on “Low-Cost HEAs”, replacing expensive or critical elements with abundant ones without losing the high-entropy effect.
• Real-Time Mechanics: Utilizing in situ characterization to observe atomic-level deformation as it happens, rather than just analyzing post-failure samples.

To succeed in the rapidly evolving landscape of high-entropy alloys, young researchers should be curious, hard-working, and patient. The modern material scientist is no longer just an experimentalist but a “material coder” who uses CALPHAD and Python to navigate the near-infinite compositional space of multi-principal element systems. Beyond mere data collection, you must prioritize mechanistic depth; reporting a material’s strength is a baseline, but identifying the “why”—such as specific lattice distortions, twinning-induced plasticity, or sluggish diffusion—is what provides lasting scientific value. Maintain an interdisciplinary vision by looking toward high-entropy ceramics and polymers for structural analogies that could solve metallic bottlenecks. Finally, one must embrace open science to build a global digital identity early, as the transparency of open-access publishing and data sharing is the most effective catalyst for high-impact international collaboration.

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?
The decision to submit to Materials was driven by the journal’s reputation for bridging the gap between fundamental solid-state physics and practical engineering applications. In the rapidly evolving field of high-entropy alloys, the “time-to-market” for a discovery is critical; therefore, the journal’s commitment to a rapid peer-review cycle without sacrificing technical rigor was a decisive factor. Furthermore, the Open Access model ensures that our mechanistic insights—which have implications for aerospace, nuclear, and cryogenic industries—are immediately available to both academic researchers and industrial engineers globally, bypassing the traditional delays of subscription-based barriers.
Authors submitting to Materials can expect a highly professional, digitally optimized editorial process characterized by transparency and efficiency. From a technical standpoint, the journal provides excellent support for high-resolution complex imagery and large datasets, which are essential for articulating the nuances of multi-principal element microstructures. Beyond logistics, authors should anticipate broad interdisciplinary visibility; the journal’s wide-reaching scope means your work is positioned to be discovered by experts in metallurgy, computational modeling, and additive manufacturing alike, fostering a unique environment for international and cross-sector collaboration.

8. What is your experience publishing with Materials?
Publishing with Materials has been a highly professional and streamlined experience. For a rapidly evolving field like high-entropy alloys, where new discoveries are made almost weekly, the speed of communication is vital.
I particularly appreciated the editorial support. The team was responsive and ensured that the complex context of our paper was presented with high clarity. This level of detail is crucial when you are trying to explain nuanced concepts. Overall, it has been a rewarding platform for sharing our vision of the future of metallurgy.

9. How do you think the open access way of publishing impacts authors?
The transition to open access is one of the most significant shifts in modern academia. For authors—especially those working in fast-moving, high-tech fields like metallurgy and AI—the impact is multifaceted, balancing increased visibility with new logistical considerations.

We are thrilled to share the updated Exceptional Reviewers List 2026. This program was established to recognize and honor scholars who have consistently delivered exceptional review reports to our journal. Committed to fostering rigorous research and promoting knowledge exchange, Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) acknowledges the vital role our reviewers play in maintaining the quality and integrity of the articles we publish. According to surveys conducted in 2025, 93% of our authors rated the peer review process as good or excellent, reflecting the strength and effectiveness of our reviewer community.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the reviewers who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to assist in Materials’ peer-review process. Their dedication and attention to detail in evaluating manuscripts, offering valuable feedback, and contributing to academic rigor are truly commendable.

The Exceptional Reviewers List was introduced in March 2026. Every 2 months, we will select a group of outstanding reviewers and introduce them here.

January and February

See what our reviewers have to say about the review process of Materials:

Conference: The 11th International Symposium on Carbon for Catalysis
Hosted by: Tsinghua University
Co-organized by: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP, CAS), Institute of Metal Research (IMR, CAS) and Chinese Society of Particuology (CSP)
Date: 28–31 May 2026
Place: Beijing, China
Booth: #19 

The 11th International Symposium on Carbon for Catalysis (CARBOCAT) will be held at the Beijing International Convention Center, Beijing, China, from 28 to 31 May 2026, and will be hosted by Tsinghua University. 

The conference will explore different aspects of carbon-based materials in catalysis, ranging from nanotubes, nanofibers, and graphene to 3D carbon composites, with particular emphasis on their active, “non-innocent” roles in driving reactions. 

Heteroatom-doped carbon scaffolds and metal-decorated carbon networks will serve as unifying themes across all sessions, complemented by recent advances in operando characterization and the scalable synthesis of carbon allotropes. Particular emphasis will be placed on catalytic processes and reactor engineering that support renewable energy technologies and global decarbonization. 

In alignment with the goal of achieving a green and efficient carbon economy by 2050, the symposium strongly encourages contributions that explore the intersection of AI technologies with carbon catalytic processes, particularly and their applications related to the production of green fuels. 

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Catalysts;
• C — Journal of Carbon Research;
• Materials;
• Sustainable Chemistry;
• Crystals;
• Molbank;
• Organics;
• Physchem;
• Surfaces;
• Reactions;
• Photochem. 

If you plan on attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth (#19). Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. 

For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://carbocat2026.hoohui.cn/.

As a pioneer in open access publishing, MDPI maintains rigorous publication standards. This mission relies on the dedication and expertise of our reviewers, who invest their time and knowledge to ensure the quality and integrity of the research we publish.

In 2025, over 209,000 reviewers contributed to the peer-review process at MDPI, providing more than 1.3 million review reports for our journals. To express our gratitude, MDPI’s Reviewer Recognition Program highlights reviewers across over 400 journals, featuring those who have assessed at least one manuscript and agreed to be acknowledged.

In addition, MDPI has identified its Top 1000 Reviewers of 2024 to recognize those whose expertise, dedication, and thoughtful evaluations were particularly outstanding.

Many journals have also established Outstanding Reviewer Awards to honor our reviewers’ commitment to publication excellence. Together with the Exceptional Reviewer List, we showcase the importance of reviewers’ work and their time and dedication.

These initiatives serve to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude towards the whole reviewer community. In recognition of their contributions, we also welcome new researchers to join this community. If you would like to contribute to open access publishing, learn more about the reviewers’ benefits and sign up to join us.

The mission of the “Mechanics of Materials” Section of Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) is to disseminate high-quality research work on the mechanics of engineering and natural materials. It reports the latest and most important advances in mechanics-guided and mechanics-based design and synthesis, mechanical behaviors, properties and mechanisms, and the microstructure–mechanical property relationships of various engineering materials, including metals and alloys, polymers, ceramics, carbon materials, amorphous materials, granular materials and composites, as well as biomaterials and natural materials. It also encourages interdisciplinary research between mechanics and materials, physics, and chemistry, which is referred to as X-mechanics. It focuses on mechanics-based studies in emerging areas such as additive manufacturing, machine learning, low-dimensional materials, architected materials, mechanical metamaterials and batteries, etc. “Mechanics of Materials” covers all experimental, computational, and theoretical studies related to the mechanics of current and emerging materials.

All articles published in our journal are available in an open access format, granting readers unrestricted access to the full text for free. We invite you to explore our most cited papers of 2024, listed below:

1. “Auxetics and FEA: Modern Materials Driven by Modern Simulation Methods”
by Russell Galea Mifsud, Grace Anne Muscat, James N. Grima-Cornish, Krzysztof K. Dudek, Maria A. Cardona, Daphne Attard, Pierre-Sandre Farrugia, Ruben Gatt, Kenneth E. Evans and Joseph N. Grima
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1506; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071506
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/7/1506

2. “Studies of Auxetic Structures Assembled from Rotating Rectangles”
by Julian Plewa, Małgorzata Płońska and Grzegorz Junak
Materials 2024, 17(3), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030731
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/3/731

3. “Effects of Micro- and Nanosilica on the Mechanical and Microstructural Characteristics of Some Special Mortars Made with Recycled Concrete Aggregates”
by Claudiu Mazilu, Radu Deju, Dan Paul Georgescu, Adelina Apostu and Alin Barbu
Materials 2024, 17(12), 2791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122791
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/12/2791

4. “Modelling of Fatigue Delamination Growth and Prediction of Residual Tensile Strength of Thermoplastic Coupons”
by Niki Tsivouraki, Konstantinos Tserpes and Ioannis Sioutis
Materials 2024, 17(2), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020362
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/2/362

5. “Impact of the Curing Temperature on the Manufacturing Process of Multi-Nanoparticle-Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites”
by João M. Parente, Rogério Simoes, Abilio P. Silva and Paulo N. B. Reis
Materials 2024, 17(8), 1930; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081930
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/8/1930

6. “Application of Digital Image Correlation for Strain Mapping of Structural Elements and Materials”
by Bogusz, Paweł, Wiesław Krasoń and Kamil Pazur
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2577; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112577
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/11/2577

7. “The Influence of Hard Coatings on Fatigue Properties of Pure Titanium by a Novel Testing Method”
by Cai Hu, Lei Zhao, Yong Zhang, Zhinan Du and Yunlai Deng
Materials 2024, 17(4), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040835
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/4/835

8. “3D Size-Dependent Dynamic Instability Analysis of FG Cylindrical Microshells Subjected to Combinations of Periodic Axial Compression and External Pressure Using a Hermitian C² Finite Layer Method Based on the Consistent Couple Stress Theory”
by Chih-Ping Wu, Meng-Luen Wu and Hao-Ting Hsu
Materials 2024, 17(4), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040810
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/4/810

9. “Friction-Wear and Noise Characteristics of Friction Disks with Circular Texture”
by Biao Ma, Weichen Lu, Liang Yu, Cenbo Xiong, Guoqiang Dang and Xiaobo Chen
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2337; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102337
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/10/2337

10. “Studies on the Evolution of Fatigue Strength of Aluminium Wires for Overhead Line Conductors”
by Bartosz Jurkiewicz and Beata Smyrak
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2537; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112537
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/11/2537

We also invite you to explore the following “Mechanics of Materials” Special Issues:

1. “Advances in Friction, Wear-Resistant and Solid-Lubricating Properties of Materials”
Guest Editors: Dr. Xiangli Wen, Dr. Bin Wang and Dr. Yanfei Liu
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026

2. “Mechanical Properties and Structural Reliability of Advanced Materials”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Zhixin Huang and Dr. Zihao Chen
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026

3. “Research on Material Durability and Mechanical Properties (2nd Edition)”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Vaidas Lukoševičius and Prof. Dr. Žilvinas Bazaras
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026

Materials Editorial Office