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Announcements
4 March 2026
International Women’s Day—“Give to Gain”
We are delighted to join the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March. As an open access publisher, we believe that diversity in science strengthens collaboration, broadens perspectives, and supports the open exchange of knowledge.
This year’s theme, “Give to Gain”, highlights the value of shared support and collective progress. It reflects how collaboration, recognition, and community engagement contribute to inclusive participation in research and advance science and society alike.
At MDPI, we support inclusive scholarly communication by amplifying scholars’ voices and highlighting research that advances women’s health, gender equity, and other areas of scientific inquiry. Explore our curated selection of journals, Special Issues, books, blogs, and research articles.
We also invite you to learn more about our open award applications and upcoming Women in Research event in Manchester.
Join us in celebrating the contributions and achievements of women in science and discover how open access publishing supports a more equitable global research community.
From all of us at MDPI—happy International Women’s Day.


Explore our curated selection of journals led by female Editors-in-Chief across diverse scientific fields.
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Biology and Life Sciences Computer Science and Mathematics Physics |
Chemistry and Materials Science Environmental and Earth Sciences |
Medicine and Pharmacology Business and Economics Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities |

Nominations are now open for MDPI awards in the fields of mathematics and land science. We welcome applications and invite you to read the interviews with past award winners who share their experiences, insights, and advice to inspire the next generation of women in science.
Mathematics Women Mathematician Award
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Nomination deadline: 31 May 2026. The prize:
Learn more and nominate here. |
“My advice to aspiring young researchers is that if there is a will, there will be a way. People find their way without needing to plan every step. It is also important not to fear failure, because failure often leads to success.” - Prof. Dr. Apala Majumdar, University of Strathclyde, UK Read the full interview here. |
Land Female Researcher in Land System Science
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Nomination deadline: 31 December 2026. The prize:
Learn more and nominate here. |
“Don't be afraid to develop your technical skills. Don't think that you can't do it. But also […] talk to people, listen to people, so that you have really strong mixed methods approaches to research that triangulate.” - Prof. Dr. Dawn Cassandra Parker, University of Waterloo, Canada Interview is coming soon. |

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| Bridging the Gap in Women’s Health Research | Give Support, Gain Progress: Retaining Women in Science | Land MDPI: Journal Spotlight |


“A Randomized Controlled Crossover Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Metabolic and Mental Health in Female Healthcare Night-Shift Workers”
by Laura A. Robinson, Sarah Lennon, Alexandrea R. Pegel, Kelly P. Strickland, Christine A. Feeley, Sarah O. Watts, William J. Van Der Pol, Michael D. Roberts, Michael W. Greene and Andrew D. Frugé
Nutrients 2025, 17(21), 3342; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17213342
“Suffering in Silence: Reasons Why Victims of Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education Institutions Choose Not to Report Their Victimization”
by Lungelo Cynthia Mdletshe and Mandisa Samukelisiwe Makhaye
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(6), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14060336
“From Effectuation to Empowerment: Unveiling the Impact of Women Entrepreneurs on Small and Medium Enterprises’ Performance—Evidence from Indonesia”
by Sherly Theresia, Sabrina Oktaria Sihombing and Ferdi Antonio
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15060198
“Exploring Self-Perceived Stress and Anxiety Throughout Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Study”
by Mar Miguel Redondo, Cristina Liebana-Presa, Javier Pérez-Rivera, Cristian Martín-Vázquez, Natalia Calvo-Ayuso and Rubén García-Fernández
Diseases 2025, 13(4), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13040121
“Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Tourism Industry: A Bibliometric Study”
by Ainhoa del Pino Rodríguez-Vera, Dolores Rando-Cueto and Carlos de las Heras Pedrosa
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15040130
“Video Games That Educate: Breaking Gender Stereotypes and Promoting Gender Equality with a Serious Video Game”
by Alma Gloria Barrera Yañez, Cristina Alonso-Fernández and Baltasar Fernández-Manjón
Information 2025, 16(3), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/info16030199
“Bridging the Gap: The Impact of Gender Equality on CO2 Emissions Across Countries”
by Diana Sanchez-Olmedo, Paula Ortiz-Yepez and Marco Faytong-Haro
World 2025, 6(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/world6010026
“Elevated Serum Levels of Acid Sphingomyelinase in Female Patients with Episodic and Chronic Migraine”
by Alberto Ouro, Mónica Castro-Mosquera, Mariña Rodríguez-Arrizabalaga, Manuel Debasa-Mouce, Antía Custodia, Marta Aramburu-Núñez, Daniel Romaus-Sanjurjo, Josefina Casas, Isabel Lema, José Castillo et al.
Antioxidants 2025, 14(2), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14020159
“Are Women More Risk Averse? A Sequel”
by Christos I. Giannikos and Efstathia D. Korkou
Risks 2025, 13(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/risks13010012
“The Impact of Benevolent Sexism on Women’s Career Growth: A Moderated Serial Mediation Model”
by Shuang Song and Po-Chien Chang
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15010059

| “Diet in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome” Guest Editors: Dr. Joanna Grzesik-Gąsior and Dr. Ewa Rzońca Submissions deadline: 25 May 2026 |
“The Mobilization of Social Justice and Gender Equality” Guest Editor: Dr. Ada L. Sinacore Submissions deadline: 31 July 2026 |
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| “Women's Health and Well-Being: A Focus on Obstetrics and Gynecologic Medicine” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Luca Roncati Submissions deadline: 30 September 2026 |
“Women’s Voices in the Media Guest Editor: Dr. Kathryn Shine” Submissions deadline: 31 October 2026 |
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2 March 2026
Materials | Author Video Interview with Dr. Paolo Trucillo: Insights from a Materials Contributor
We are pleased to announce the release of a new Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) author video interview featuring one of our esteemed contributors. In this interview, Dr. Trucillo shares insights into his recent publication, discusses the broader significance of his research, and reflects on future directions in materials science and biomaterials research.
“Biomaterials for Drug Delivery and Human Applications”
by Paolo Trucillo
Materials 2024, 17(2), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020456
Viewed by 21300+ | Cited by 140
Dr. Trucillo completed his PhD in industrial engineering, achieving expertise in the design of advanced drug delivery systems, particularly liposome-based technologies. His main research interests currently focus on biomaterials, polymers, and foam technologies for the development of innovative controlled drug release systems. He collaborates closely with the Foam Lab Group at the University of Naples Federico II, as well as industrial partners, on projects centred design of foams for drug delivery systems for biomedical and nutraceutical applications.
We invite readers to watch the full interview to gain a deeper understanding of Dr. Trucillo’s latest study and the motivation behind the work. The video is now available on our official channels.
Thank you for your continued interest in Materials.
28 February 2026
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO’s Letter #32 - MDPI China and Thailand, China Science Daily, 1,000 Partnerships, R2R
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts

Reflections from China: Year-End-Celebrations and Open Access Publishing
In February, I had the pleasure of joining over a thousand colleagues from our Tongzhou and Haidian offices at their end-of-year annual celebration in Beijing.
Spending time with our teams in China is also a powerful reminder of the scale and complexity of MDPI as a global organization. Our colleagues in Beijing, Wuhan, and across the country play a significant role in our day-to-day operations and long-term development. I’m grateful for the hospitality, collaboration, and commitment shown by our managers and teams in China, alongside colleagues worldwide, who have helped steadily build MDPI, brick by brick, over the years.
Below are some data on Open Access (OA) publishing in China and our collaboration in this important research market.
Open Access Publishing in China
China has been the world’s leading country in research and review article publication volume since 2019, exceeding one million publications in 2025. Over the past five years, the gap between China and the second-ranked country, the United States, has continued to widen.
In 2025:
- 47% of China’s research output was published Open Access
- Of those OA publications, 76% were Gold Open Access (approximately 382,930 articles)
- The overall OA distribution remained stable compared with 2024, with Gold OA increasing by 1%
Over the past five years (2021–2025):
- China published 4,398,050 research and review articles
- Approximately 48% of this output was OA
According to Dimensions, when comparing the top 20 countries by publication volume (2021–2025):
- China ranks 1st worldwide in publication volume
- China ranks 9th in citation performance within this group (for comparison, the US ranks 2nd in publication volume and 10th in citation ranking)
- Average citations per article: 12.51
Among the top 10 universities globally by publication volume, six are Chinese institutions, alongside Harvard University (USA), the University of São Paulo (Brazil), the University of Toronto (Canada), and the University of Oxford (UK).

MDPI and China
China is an important and long-standing part of MDPI’s global publishing ecosystem:
- In 2025, MDPI was the largest fully Open Access publisher in China
- MDPI published 22% of China’s Gold Open Access output (82,133 papers)
- We received 290,999 submissions from China-affiliated authors and published 82,133 articles
- There are 8,500+ active Editorial Board Members based in China
- 64% (5,438) have an H-index above 26
- MDPI works with:
- 117 Editors-in-Chief
- 103 Section Editors-in-Chief
- 71 China-based institutions currently hold IOAP agreements with MDPI, seven of which rank among the top 10 Chinese institutions by publication volume
China's scale in research output means that the publishing platforms chosen by Chinese scholars will continue to influence the direction of scholarly publishing. At the same time, MDPI’s strength comes from its international collaboration, with colleagues, editors, reviewers, and authors working together across regions and disciplines.
Thank you to all our colleagues in China, and around the world, who support MDPI’s publishing activities across departments and help advance open access research every day.
Impactful Research

“Progress in open science is built through trust, dialogue, and relationships”
Behind the Scenes: A Conversation with China Science Daily
During my trip to Beijing, I also had the opportunity to visit China Science Daily and take part in an interview and broader exchange with their team in Beijing. Visits like this matter because progress in open science is built not only through platforms and infrastructure, but also through trust, dialogue, and relationships across research communities and regions.
China Science Daily: History Museum
As part of the visit, I was given a tour of their History Museum, which offers a thorough perspective on the evolution of China’s first science and technology newspaper, established in 1959. The exhibition highlights how the organization developed into a trusted institution connecting research with the public and policymakers. It was a helpful reminder that at the core of publishing is stewardship, credibility, and long-term public engagement with science.

An Open Exchange on Open Science
During the visit, I met with Dr. Zhao Yan, Editor-in-Chief of ScienceNet. We had an open and engaging conversation about MDPI’s role in Open Access, the evolution of open science globally, and the potential for more collaboration going forward. He especially appreciated the candid and personal nature of our exchange, noting that this kind of dialogue feels important in a landscape where trust and transparency matter.

Interview on Open Access
I also participated in an interview with Ms. Yan Jie, from the Online Media Center and Editor-in-Chief of ScienceNet, China Science Daily. Our discussion covered the growth of Open Access over the past 30 years, MDPI’s mission and values, academic integrity, collaboration with the Chinese research community, and MDPI’s own 30th anniversary milestone. It was a great opportunity to reflect on how open science has matured, and where shared responsibility across publishers, institutions, and researchers continues to matter most.
“Progress in open science is built by more than scale and infrastructure”
I’m sharing a few photos from the visit as a glimpse behind the scenes. The full interview will be published by China Science Daily in due course, and I look forward to sharing it when it is available.

More broadly, visits like this reinforce something I’ve always believed in: progress in open science is built not only through scale and infrastructure, but also through continued dialogue, mutual respect, collaboration, and a willingness to listen across regions and perspectives. That remains central to our work, especially as MDPI reflects on 30 years of publishing, built together.
Inside MDPI

Bangkok Visit: Growth, Partnership, and Local Impact
In February, I also had the opportunity to visit our Bangkok office for the second time in two years to support their local meetings and deliver a training session on how we present MDPI at a corporate level.
It’s easy to spend time with our colleagues in Thailand. From Editorial and Production to Conferences, Marketing, Design, and our Regional Journal Relations Specialist (RJRS), the team continues to grow in scale and professionalism. I’d also like to recognize our local management and admin teams, who have been steadily expanding our office and supporting more than 500 colleagues on the ground.
Academic Partnerships
During the visit, we met with the Engineering Department at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). Our discussion focused on the recent MDPI developments, Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) opportunities, Author Publishing Workshops (APW), and the potential use of JAMS to support their institutional journal.

“MDPI is the third-largest OA publisher in Thailand”
We also shared insights into the growth of Open Access (OA) in Thailand and KMITL’s own publishing trends. These conversations matter because institutions are looking for sustainable ways to support their researchers. Our IOAP agreements are one simple example of how we can provide value in this area while maintaining accessibility for authors.
Thailand and MDPI: 2025 Snapshot
Our Bangkok office, officially launched in 2022, has been growing to support over 500 staff members while continuing to expand its engagement in scholar visits, workshops, and conference collaborations. As at 2025, Thailand submissions to MDPI have increased about 21% and publications by about 25%, maintaining a rejection rate close to the company average. MDPI is the third-largest OA publisher in Thailand, publishing 15% of all Gold OA output in 2025.
Representing MDPI Externally
During the visit, I delivered a training session on how we present MDPI at external events.

This session covered topics related to:
- Our aim and guiding principles
- High-level company milestones and Indexing facts and figures
- Industry partnerships and collaborations
- Market trends in OA and subscription publishing
- Country-specific publishing data and collaborations with MDPI
- Insights from our Voice of Community report
I find that while many colleagues are very familiar with the specific journal for which they have responsibility, fewer have visibility into the broader MDPI ecosystem and the company’s global positioning. These sessions help build alignment, confidence, and consistency in how we represent the company.
What stands out most is that MDPI’s growth is not abstract: it’s visible in the people, the partnerships, and the professionalism developing across our offices.
Coming Together for Science

1,000 Institutional Partners: A Milestone Built on Trust
This month, we reached an important milestone: more than 1,000 institutions worldwide are now part of MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP). On paper, that is a number. In practice, it represents trust.
This milestone symbolizes thousands of conversations with libraries and institutions. It stands for negotiations, renewals, consortium expansions, and, most importantly, relationships built over time. It reflects the work of colleagues across publishing, institutional partnerships, marketing, editorial, finance, and many other teams who contribute to making these agreements operational.
In 2025 alone, more than 61,300 research articles benefited from article processing charge (APC) discounts through IOAP agreements. Tens of thousands of authors were able to publish through a simplified and structured process. At the same time, institutional administrators gained clearer oversight and streamlined workflows.

Why IOAP Matters
When we launched IOAP, the objective was straightforward: to reduce barriers for researchers while supporting institutions in navigating the evolving OA landscape. Over the past decade, the research ecosystem has changed. Funder mandates, national policies, and Plan S–aligned requirements have accelerated the transition to OA.
Institutions need publishing partners who provide transparency, scalability, and operational efficiency. IOAP was designed to support that reality.
For colleagues who would like to better understand the program, this blog-post overview of MDPI’s IOAP provides additional context, including common questions around the transition to OA and how our institutional partnerships are structured.
“Institutions need publishing partners who provide transparency, scalability, and operational efficiency”
Recent Examples
Our agreements continue to evolve across regions:
- In Sweden, MDPI signed a national Open Access publishing agreement with 96 institutions, enabling affiliated researchers to publish without managing individual APC payments.
- In Spain, we extended our flat-fee agreement with Universidad Católica de Valencia, reinforcing institutional support for OA publishing.
These examples show that institutions seek structured, predictable models that support their researchers at scale.
Looking Ahead
Crossing the threshold of 1,000 partners tells us that institutions see MDPI not just as a publisher but as a reliable operational partner in advancing open science. This milestone is not a finish line. It is a reminder that the work continues.
Thank you to the entire IOAP team and to all colleagues who contributed to reaching this achievement.
P.S. You can read about this milestone across industry outlets, including STM Publishing News, ALPSP, Research Information, EurekAlert, Brightsurf, among others. You can also read about the coverage in Poland (e.g., media-room, bomega) Korea (newstap), and Romania (EduLike).
Closing Thoughts

Reflections from the Researcher to Reader Conference
During 24–25 February, I attended the 2026 Researcher to Reader Conference in London, UK. Leaders from across scholarly publishing, research infrastructure, libraries, and technology gathered to discuss AI and research integrity, peer review reform, metadata and infrastructure, community engagement, open research policy, and the evolving role of publishers in a rapidly shifting ecosystem.
The conversations were open and honest, and at times uncomfortable – exactly what we need at times. Below are a few reflections that stayed with me.
The Battle for Knowledge: What Becomes Accepted as ‘True’?
One recurring theme was not whether science evolves but whether our infrastructure is resilient enough to sustain trust at scale. Science does not promise certainty: it promises process. As publishing systems grow more complex and become more technologically mediated, the question is how intentionally we design, monitor, and strengthen that process.
Peer Review: Speed, Credentials, and Structural Loops
Researchers consistently call for faster peer review. At the same time, reviewer credentials are often tied to publication records. This creates a structural loop. Publishing history opens reviewing opportunities, reviewing strengthens credentials, and those without early access remain outside the cycle.
There is a need for us to reflect on how opportunity circulates within our systems: we should ask how we create more inclusive pathways for researchers globally to participate in peer review.
Community Engagement Workshop
One of the highlights of R2R was the workshop format, whereby small groups met repeatedly over two days and moved from ideas to tangible strategies.
I joined the Community Engagement workshop led by Lou Peck (CEO at The International Bunch) and Godwyns Onwuchekwa (Principal Consultant at Global Tapestry Consulting). We explored two deceptively simple questions: What is a community? and What does engagement truly mean?
“Engagement requires shared design and shared responsibility”
Too often, organizations equate communication with engagement. The framework discussed mapped a maturity spectrum – from enablement (broadcasting, informing and consulting) to true engagement (collaborating and co-creating).
It was a useful reminder of the fact that if we want trust and loyalty, engagement must go beyond announcements and surveys. It requires shared design and shared responsibility.
AI: Democratization or Digital Colonialism?
I especially enjoyed the thought-provoking presentation from Nikesh Gosalia (Chief Partnership Officer at Cactus Communications), which highlighted an uncomfortable reality:

- 93% of AI-generated content is in English
- Approximately 2% is in French
- Approximately 2% is in German
- More than 7,000 languages are represented in less than 5% of the content within large AI systems
The implications are profound. Is AI democratizing access to scholarly publishing (making it easier for researchers everywhere to participate in global knowledge production)? Or are we encoding colonialism at scale (entrenching linguistic and structural hierarchies, and making it harder for voices from the Global South to be heard)?
AI is already reshaping how research is created, reviewed, discovered, and shared. Its potential is enormous. But its impact depends not only on capability, but on governance, design, and intentionality. Publishers, funders, and researchers all share responsibility in shaping how these systems evolve.
Ethicality in practice (Lightening Talk)

It was also great to have our colleague Dr Miloš Čučulović (Head of Technology Innovation at MDPI) present MDPI’s Ethicality platform during a lightning talk.
“Technology alone is not the answer”
Ethicality embeds AI-driven checks directly into the submission workflow, supporting editors proactively rather than reacting after publication. As we scale, tools like this help balance trust, efficiency, and research integrity.
This goes back into the underlying theme of the conference that technology alone is not the answer. However, technology embedded thoughtfully within clear governance frameworks can strengthen confidence in the editorial process.
Final thought
The question is no longer whether technology will transform research infrastructure: it is already doing so. The real question is what role each of us will play in shaping that transformation deliberately, with structural maturity, inclusive governance, and engagement that moves from informing to co-creating.
Science needs to evolve, responsibly. And that responsibility extends not only to what we publish, but also to how the systems behind publication are designed. Some important topics to continue reflecting on both internally and within our broader community.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
25 February 2026
Meet Us at the 73rd JSAP Spring Meeting 2026, 15–18 March 2026, Tokyo, Japan
The 73rd JSAP Spring Meeting 2026 will be held from 15 to 18 March 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. The conference will be hosted by the Japan Society of Applied Physics.
The areas of focus for the conference include the following:
- Semiconductor and AI Convergence;
- Quantum Science and Technologies;
- Optics and Photonics;
- Advanced Materials and Fabrication;
- Biomedical and Applied Engineering;
- Energy and Functional Electronics;
- Interdisciplinary and Industrial Application.
The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:
- Applied Sciences;
- Materials;
- Nanomaterials;
- Journal of Composites Science;
- Electronic Materials;
- Applied Nano;
- Condensed Matter;
- Magnetism;
- Instruments;
- Entropy;
- Chips;
- Eng;
- Photonics;
- Electronics;
- Micromachines;
- Nanomanufacturing;
- Physchem;
- Physics.
If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to get in touch via email. Our delegates also 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 link: https://meeting.jsap.or.jp/english.
20 February 2026
MDPI Virtual Academic Publishing Workshop (New Harvest), 25 February 2026
This Academic Publishing Workshop will be led by MDPI Regional Journal Relations Specialist, Dr. Sally Wu, on “Author Training”. Participants will receive practical advice on essential aspects of writing academic articles. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the academic publishing landscape and how to successfully contribute to it.
Date: 25 February 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EST
Schedule:
|
Speaker |
Program |
Time in EST |
|
Dr. Sally Wu |
Introduction |
11:30–11:40 a.m. |
|
Dr. Sally Wu |
Tips for Writing Great Research Papers
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11:40 a.m.–12:15 p.m. |
|
Dr. Sally Wu |
How to Respond to Peer Reviewers
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12:15–12:50 p.m. |
|
Dr. Sally Wu |
AI in Publishing: Challenges and Opportunities
|
12:50–13:30 p.m. |
Speakers:
|
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Dr. Sally Wu received a PhD in medical science from the University of Toronto in the fall of 2025. She joined MDPI in February 2025 as an Assistant Editor for Cells. She was recently promoted to Regional Journal Relations Specialist position in August. In this role, she works with many journals, liaising with authors, board members, and EiCs. She has attended several conferences across North America, hosted scholar visits, and taken part in other outreach events. |
18 February 2026
MDPI’s Open Access Program Reaches 1,000 Institutions Worldwide
MDPI has surpassed the milestone of 1,000 partners within the Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP). The agreements span 59 countries, covering North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Last year alone, more than 150 new libraries and academic institutions joined MDPI’s IOAP. With the expansion of an existing consortium deal in Sweden we welcomed a further 75 partners to the program in January 2026, enabling us to surpass the 1,000-partners milestone.
The IOAP supports affiliated researchers by streamlining submission processes, reducing administrative burdens, and offering discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs). Through IOAP membership, more than 61,300 research articles received APC discounts in 2025, driving greater visibility and accessibility for partner institutions and global research communities alike.
"This milestone marks a significant step towards expanding MDPI’s global impact," said Stefan Tochev, MDPI's CEO. "Reaching 1,000 IOAP partnerships is a true testament to the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations worldwide. We are proud to lead the way in Open Access publishing, ensuring researchers have the support they need to reach global audiences." "The success of our program is reflected in the growing global demand for Open Science and quality publishing services," said Becky Castellon, MDPI institutional partnerships manager. "Equally, institutions are increasingly seeking Open Access publishing options that support funder and national mandates. Joining the IOAP makes compliance simple."
12 February 2026
Welcoming New Editorial Board Members of Materials Joined in January 2026
We are pleased to announce that new scholars have been appointed as Editorial Board Members (EBMs) for Materials (ISSN: 1996-144), effective January 2026. We wish our new members success in both their research and their efforts to develop the journal.

Name: Prof. Dr. Sheldon Shi
Affiliation: University of North Texas, USA
Interests: bioproducts; natural fiber composites; functional composites; biomass to carbon conversion; bio-based carbon for electrode
Publications in Materials:
1. “Pecan Shell-Derived Activated Carbon for High-Electrochemical Performance Supercapacitor Electrode”
by Sarah J. Zou, Mumukshu D. Patel, Lee M. Smith, Eunho Cha, Sheldon Q. Shi and Wonbong Choi
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3091; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133091
2. “Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Bacterial and Thermochemical Retting of Hemp”
by Yu Fu, Hongmei Gu, H. Felix Wu and Sheldon Q. Shi
Materials 2024, 17(16), 4164; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164164
Guest Editor of Special Issue:
“Bio-Based Natural Fiber Composite Materials”
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2026

Name: Prof. Dr. II-ho Kim
Affiliation: Korea National University of Transportation, Republic of Korea
Interests: thermoelectric; semiconductor; energy; chalcogenide; skutterudite; silicide; tetrahedrite
Publications in Materials:
1. “Effects of Ni Doping on Thermoelectric Properties of Chalcopyrite”
by Hyeokmin Kwon and Il-Ho Kim
Materials 2025, 18(12), 2738; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122738
2. “Preparation and Thermoelectric Performance of Non-Stoichiometric Skinnerite”
by Sang Jun Park and Il-Ho Kim
Materials 2025, 18(10), 2372; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18102372
3. “Solid-State Synthesis and Thermoelectric Properties of CuFeSe2–CuFeS2 Solid Solutions”
by Soon-Man Jang and Il-Ho Kim
Materials 2025, 18(6), 1366; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061366
4. “p–n Transition in Thermoelectric Semiconductor Eskebornite”
by Jaejong Ryu and Il-Ho Kim
Materials 2025, 18(5), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051129

Name: Dr. Oana Cadar
Affiliation: Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, Romania
Interests: nanomaterials; nanocomposites; characterization; structure–property relationships
Publications in Materials:
1. “Silver-Exchanged Clinoptilolite-Rich Natural Zeolite for Radon Removal from Air”
by Marin Senila, Oana Cadar, Robert-Csaba Begy, Claudiu Tanaselia, Dorina Simedru and Cecilia Roman
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1465; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071465
2. “Composites Based on Natural Zeolites and Green Materials for the Immobilization of Toxic Elements in Contaminated Soils: A Review”
by Marin Senila and Oana Cadar
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5977; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235977
3. “Restructuring the Basic Design of Several Accelerator-Based Concrete Mixes by Integrating Superplasticizers”
by Alexandru Florin Simedru, Oana Cadar, Anca Becze and Dorina Simedru
Materials 2024, 17(22), 5582; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225582
Guest Editor of Special Issue:
“Recent Advances and Future Perspectives in Natural and Synthetic Porous Materials for Various Applications”
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026

Name: Dr. Zaoli Zhang
Affiliation: Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria
Interests: transmission electron microscopy (TEM); nitride ceramics; hardcoating; nanostructured materials; oxide heterostructure films; materials deformation; mechanical property
Publications in Materials:
“Structural Characterization of La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ Thin Films Grown on (100)-, (110)-, and (111)-Oriented La0.95Sr0.05Ga0.95Mg0.05O3−δ”
by Sergej Ražnjević, Sandra Drev, Andreas E. Bumberger, Maxim N. Popov, Matthäus Siebenhofer, Christin Böhme, Zhuo Chen, Yong Huang, Christoph Riedl, Zaoli Zhang et al.
Materials 2024, 17(8), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081802
The office is currently still recruiting Editorial Board Members and Guest Editors. Please contact the Editorial Office if you are interested in these positions.
Materials Editorial Office
11 February 2026
Materials | Highly Cited Papers in 2024 in the “Advanced and Functional Ceramics and Glasses” Section
The “Advanced and Functional Ceramics and Glasses” Section of Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) focuses on materials that exhibit exceptional versatility in composition, structure, and related properties, making them suitable for countless applications in modern life. The Section publishes high-quality papers discussing the design, synthesis, manufacturing, characterization, modeling, and applications of all types of ceramics and glasses, such as single-crystal and polycrystalline ceramics, amorphous ceramics (glasses), partially-crystalline ceramics (glass-ceramics), and nanoceramics, as well as composites based on or containing these materials.
All articles published in our journal are available in an open-access format, granting you unrestricted access to the full text for free. We invite you to explore our most highly cited papers of 2024, listed below:
1. “Comparison of Additively Manufactured Polymer-Ceramic Parts Obtained via Different Technologies”
by Katarzyna Jasik, Janusz Kluczyński, Danuta Miedzińska, Arkadiusz Popławski, Jakub Łuszczek, Justyna Zygmuntowicz, Paulina Piotrkiewicz, Krzysztof Perkowski, Marcin Wachowski and Krzysztof Grzelak
Materials 2024, 17(1), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010240
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/1/240
2. “Porous Lithium Disilicate Glass–Ceramics Prepared by Cold Sintering Process Associated with Post-Annealing Technique”
by Xigeng Lyu, Yeongjun Seo, Do Hyung Han, Sunghun Cho, Yoshifumi Kondo, Tomoyo Goto and Tohru Sekino
Materials 2024, 17(2), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020381
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/2/381
3. “Growth, Spectroscopy, and Laser Performance of a 2.79 μm Er: YSGG Single Crystal Fibers”
by Baiyi Wu, Meng Wang, Jian Zhang, Zhitai Jia and Zefeng Wang
Materials 2024, 17(2), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020429
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/2/429
4. “Preparation of Ceramic Fiber Threads with Enhanced Abrasion Resistance Performance”
by Xueying Zhang, Feng Hou, Haiyan Du, Liwen Yan, Anran Guo, Xiaohui Ma and Jiachen Liu
Materials 2024, 17(3), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030599
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/3/599
5. “State of the Art Review for Titanium Fluorine Glasses and Glass Ceramics”
by Brenna Kettlewell, and Daniel Boyd
Materials 2024, 17(6), 1403; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17061403
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/6/1403
6. “Analysis of the Dielectric Properties of Alkali-Free Aluminoborosilicate Glasses by Considering the Contributions of Electronic and Ionic Polarizabilities in the GHz Frequency Range”
by Linganna Kadathala, Young-Ouk Park, Myoung-Kyu Oh, Won-Taek Han and Bok Hyeon Kim
Materials 2024, 17(6), 1404; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17061404
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/6/1404
7. “Structure and Luminescent Properties of Niobium-Modified ZnO-B2O3:Eu3+ Glass”
by Reni Iordanova, Margarita Milanova, Aneliya Yordanova, Lyubomir Aleksandrov, Nikolay Nedyalkov, Rositca Kukeva and Petia Petrova
Materials 2024, 17(6), 1415; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17061415
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/6/1415
8. “Influence of Annealing Process on Soft Magnetic Properties of Fe-B-C-Si-P Amorphous Alloys”
by Jili Jia, You Wu, Lingxiang Shi, Ranbin Wang, Wenhui Guo, Hengtong Bu, Yang Shao, Na Chen and Kefu Yao
Materials 2024, 17(6), 1447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17061447
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/6/1447
9. “Magnetoelectric Properties of Multiferroic Composites Based on BaTiO3 and Nickel-Zinc Ferrite Material”
by Dariusz Bochenek, Przemysław Niemiec, Dagmara Brzezińska, Grzegorz Dercz, Grzegorz Ziółkowski, Elżbieta Jartych, Jakub Grotel and Jan Suchanicz
Materials 2024, 17(8), 1905; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081905
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/8/1905
10. “Flexible and Compressible Nanostructure-Assembled Aramid Nanofiber/Silica Composites Aerogel”
by Chensi Zhang, Jiangtao Li, Junpeng Jiang, Xiaoxia Hu, Shuo Yang, Kuan Wang, Anran Guo and Haiyan Du
Materials 2024, 17(9), 1938; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17091938
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/9/1938
We also invite you to explore the Special Issues in the “Advanced and Functional Ceramics and Glasses” Section, listed below:
1. “Exploring the Versatility of Piezoelectric and Dielectric Electroceramics: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Dionizy Czekaj and Prof. Dr. Barbara Garbarz-Glos
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026
2. “Feature Papers in Refractories and Ceramics: Microstructure, Properties and Applications (3rd Edition)”
Guest Editors: Dr. Zhong Huang and Dr. Bin Li
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026
3. “Advances in High-Temperature Ceramic Matrix Composites and Coatings”
Guest Editors: Dr. Anindya Ghoshal and Prof. Dr. Douglas Wolfe
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026
Materials Editorial Office
11 February 2026
Materials | Highly Cited Papers in 2024 in the “Green Materials” Section
The “Green Materials” Section of Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) focuses on materials sourced from renewable, local resources. These materials are considered environmentally responsible, being resources designed to minimize ecological impact over their entire life cycle. We welcome submissions across all material classes, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and their composites. The Section encompasses the entire green materials field, spanning all phases of material life from synthesis, processing, and characterization to testing, featuring both experimental and theoretical research.
All articles published in our journal are available in an open-access format, granting you unrestricted access to the full text for free. We invite you to explore our most highly cited papers of 2024, listed below:
1. “Chemical Activation of Banana Peel Waste-Derived Biochar Using KOH and Urea for CO2 Capture”
by Joanna Sreńscek-Nazzal, Adrianna Kamińska, Jarosław Serafin and Beata Michalkiewicz
Materials 2024, 17(4), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040872
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/4/872
2. “Removing Heavy Metals: Cutting-Edge Strategies and Advancements in Biosorption Technology”
by Katarzyna Staszak and Magdalena Regel-Rosocka
Materials 2024, 17(5), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17051155
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/5/1155
3. “Approaches for the Treatment and Resource Utilization of Electroplating Sludge”
by Song Guo, Huimin Wang, Xiaoming Liu, Zengqi Zhang and Yu Liu
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1707; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071707
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/7/1707
4. “Potential of Reusing 3D Printed Concrete (3DPC) Fine Recycled Aggregates as a Strategy towards Decreasing Cement Content in 3DPC”
by Szymon Skibicki, Karol Federowicz, Marcin Hoffmann, Mehdi Chougan, Daniel Sibera, Krzysztof Cendrowski, Mateusz Techman, João Nuno Pacheco, Maxime Liard and Pawel Sikora
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2580; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112580
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/11/2580
5. “Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose Microfibril-Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol Biodegradable Composites”
by Fatemeh Mahdiyeh Boroujeni, Gabriella Fioravanti and Ronald Kander
Materials 2024, 17(2), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020526
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/2/526
6. “Effects of Polybutylene Succinate Content on the Rheological Properties of Polylactic Acid/Polybutylene Succinate Blends and the Characteristics of Their Fibers”
by Ik Sung Choi, Young Kwang Kim, Seong Hui Hong, Hye-Jin Seo, Sung-Ho Hwang, Jongwon Kim and Sang Kyoo Lim
Materials 2024, 17(3), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030662
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/3/662
7. “Photodegradation of Microplastics through Nanomaterials: Insights into Photocatalysts Modification and Detailed Mechanisms”
by Yiting Xiao, Yang Tian, Wenbo Xu and Jun Zhu
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112755
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/11/2755
8. “Valorization of Residue from Aluminum Industries: A Review”
by Andrie Harmaji, Reza Jafari and Guy Simard
Materials 2024, 17(21), 5152; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17215152
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/21/5152
9. “Bio-Composite Filaments Based on Poly(Lactic Acid) and Cocoa Bean Shell Waste for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF): Production, Characterization and 3D Printing”
by Daniela Fico, Daniela Rizzo, Valentina De Carolis and Carola Esposito Corcione
Materials 2024, 17(6), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17061260
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/6/1260
10. “Renewable Carbonaceous Materials from Biomass in Catalytic Processes: A Review”
by Juan J. Villora-Picó, Judith González-Arias, Francisco M. Baena-Moreno and Tomás R. Reina
Materials 2024, 17(3), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030565
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/3/565
We also invite you to explore the Special Issues in “Green Materials” Section, listed below:
1. “Recent Advances in the Environmental Remediation Using Zeolites and Other Adsorbent Materials (2nd Edition)”
Guest Editor: Dr. Marin Senila
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026
2. “Sustainable Eco-Friendly Advanced Geopolymers: Leveraging Recycled, Bio-Based, and Industrial Waste Constituents”
Guest Editors: Dr. Katarzyna Łoś and Dr. Barbara Kozub
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026
3. “Functional/Structural Polymers and Composites Produced by the Addition of Plant Biomass or Waste Materials Using Various Production Technologies”
Guest Editor: Dr. Beata Anwajler
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026
Materials Editorial Office
11 February 2026
Materials | Highly Cited Papers in 2024 in the “Smart Materials” Section
The “Smart Materials” Section of Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) focuses on substances engineered to surpass the inherent limitations of conventional materials. These substances leverage advanced designs and structures that enable controlled responses to external stimuli, such as stress, moisture, electric or magnetic fields, light, temperature, pH, and chemical environments. Adaptive properties such as these make smart materials ideal for applications including sensors, actuators, artificial muscles, and robotics. This Section provides a high-impact forum for rapid publication of research on the preparation, characterization, and application of smart materials, encompassing areas such as soft robotics, wearable and flexible/stretchable electronics, energy generation and storage devices, displays, and shape-memory polymers. We welcome experimental studies, theoretical research, and novel characterization techniques.
All articles published in our journal are available in an open-access format, granting you unrestricted access to the full text for free. We invite you to explore our most highly cited papers of 2024, listed below:
1. “Review of Flexible Robotic Grippers, with a Focus on Grippers Based on Magnetorheological Materials”
by Meng Xu, Yang Liu, Jialei Li, Fu Xu, Xuefeng Huang and Xiaobin Yue.
Materials 2024, 17(19), 4858; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17194858
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/19/4858
2. “Fundamental Aspects of Stretchable Mechanochromic Materials: Fabrication and Characterization”
by Christina Tang
Materials 2024, 17(16), 3980; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17163980
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/16/3980
3. “Facilely Promoting the Concentration of Baicalin in Polylactic Acid Fiber for UV Shielding and Antibacterial Functions: A Customized and Sustainable Approach”
by Yuyang Zhou, Peng Deng and Wei Chen
Materials 2024, 17(15), 3734; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153734
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/15/3734
4. “Research Progress and Emerging Directions in Stimulus Electro-Responsive Polymer Materials”
by Zifeng Jin, Xiaoyan Wei, Xiaojun He, Zhenglin Wang, Zhibo Zhao, Huan He, Ya’nan Yang and Nan Chen
Materials 2024, 17(17), 4204; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174204
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/17/4204
5. “Modern Electromagnetic-Radiation-Shielding Materials Made Using Different Knitting Techniques”
by Zbigniew Mikołajczyk, Iwona Nowak, Łukasz Januszkiewicz, Monika Szewczyk and Joanna Junak
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3052; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133052
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/13/3052
6. “Enhancement of Magnetorheological Fluids with Size and Morphology—Optimized Fe3O4 Nanoparticles: Impacts on Rheological Properties and Stability”
by Liwei Xu and Guangdong Zhou
Materials 2024, 17(12), 2838; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122838
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/12/2838
7. “Improvement of Electro-Caloric Effect and Energy Storage Density in BaTiO3-Bi(Zn, Ti)O3 Ceramics Prepared with BaTiO3 Nano-Powder”
by Geun-Soo Lee, Jeong-Seog Kim and Chae-Il Cheon
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3146; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133146
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/13/3146
8. “The Functionalization of Activated Polyester Fabrics with Chitosan—Changes in Zeta Potential and Moisture Management”
by Ivana Čorak, Anita Tarbuk, Tihana Dekanić, Dominik Sikorski and Zbigniew Draczyński
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5987; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235987
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/23/5987
9. “Surface Treatment Strategies and Their Impact on the Material Behavior and Interfacial Adhesion Strength of Shape Memory Alloy NiTi Wire Integrated in Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminate Structures”
by Saravanan Palaniyappan, Harshan Kalenahalli Ramesha, Maik Trautmann, Steven Quirin, Tobias Heib, Hans-Georg Herrmann and Guntram Wagner
Materials 2024, 17(14), 3513; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17143513
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/14/3513
10. “Polyurethanes Made with Blends of Polycarbonates with Different Molecular Weights Showing Adequate Mechanical and Adhesion Properties and Fast Self-Healing at Room Temperature”
by Yuliet Paez-Amieva, Noemí Mateo-Oliveras and José Miguel Martín-Martínez
Materials 2024, 17(22), 5532; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225532
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/17/22/5532
We also invite you to explore the Special Issues in the “Smart Materials” Section, listed below:
1. “Micro-Drive and Active Control Based on Smart Materials”
Guest Editors: Dr. Xinjie Wang and Dr. Hua Li
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026
2. “Intelligent Metasurfaces and Metamaterials: From Computational Design to Dynamic Absorption”
Guest Editors: Dr. Yun He and Dr. Xun Ye
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026
3. “Smart Textile Materials: Design, Characterization and Application”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Ewa Skrzetuska, Dr. Anna Kicińska-Jakubowska and Prof. Dr. Jan Broda
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026
Materials Editorial Office











