Announcements

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”.

We are pleased to share that the Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) successfully held an Editorial Board Members meeting in a hybrid format. We are deeply grateful for the enthusiastic participation and strong support of our members who joined the meeting both in person and online.

The meeting began with a brief overview of MDPI and the journal Materials, including performance statistics and marketing activities, followed by an introduction to our Kraków office. We then discussed the journal’s latest developments, editorial process, peer review standards, and future directions.

Presentation about the journal with all attendees.

We concluded the meeting with an open discussion session, during which Editorial Board Members shared their experiences working with MDPI and provided constructive suggestions for improvement. Their feedback was highly valuable and led to productive exchanges.

Discussion during the EBM meeting.

We sincerely thank all participating Editorial Board Members for their insights, active engagement, and continued support of Materials. Their contributions are essential to the journal’s ongoing growth and commitment to publishing high-quality research. Below is a group photo of the meeting attendees.

Attendee list information (in no particular order):

We are also pleased to collaborate with our Editorial Board Members on several Special Issue projects, including the following:

1. “Corrosion and Protection of Biomaterials” (lead by Prof. Dr. Halina Krawiec);
2. “Next-Generation Biobased Polymer Composites for Green Manufacturing and Sustainability” (lead by Prof. Dr. Marek Kowalczuk);
3. “Environmentally Friendly Adsorption Materials (2nd Edition)” (lead by Prof. Dr. Ewa Skwarek).

In addition, we greatly appreciate our Editorial Board Members’ active contributions to the journal, with a total of 16 publications published since 2024. You can find some of them below:

1. “Zirconia Dental Implant Designs and Surface Modifications: A Narrative Review”
by Michał Ciszyński, Bartosz Chwaliszewski, Wojciech Simka, Marzena Dominiak, Tomasz Gedrange and Jakub Hadzik
Materials 2024, 17(17), 4202; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174202

2. “Investigation of Layered Structure Formation in MgB₂ Wires Produced by the Internal Mg Coating Process under Low and High Isostatic Pressures”
by Daniel Gajda, Michał Babij, Andrzej Zaleski, Doğan Avci, Fırat Karaboga, Hakan Yetis, Ibrahim Belenli and Tomasz Czujko
Materials 2024, 17(6), 1362; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17061362

3. “Optically Stimulated Luminescence Silicone Foils for 2D Dose Mapping in Proton Radiotherapy”
by Michał Sądel, Leszek Grzanka, Jan Swakoń, Damian Wróbel, Sebastian Kusyk, Lily Bossin and Paweł Bilski
Materials 2025, 18(9), 1928; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18091928

4. “Physicochemical Analysis of Composites Based on Yellow Clay, Hydroxyapatite, and Clitoria ternatea L. Obtained via Mechanochemical Metho”
by Klaudia Kowalska and Ewa Skwarek
Materials 2025, 18(13), 3011; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18133011

We look forward to continued collaboration and future discussions with our Editorial Board.

We are pleased to announce that 12 new scholars have been appointed as Editorial Board Members (EBMs) for Materials (ISSN: 1996-144), effective as of November 2025. We wish our new members success in both their research and their efforts to develop the journal.

Name: Prof. Dr. Alessandro Romeo
Affiliation: University of Verona, Italy
Interests: electronic properties of materials; surfaces; interfaces; nanostructures; nanophysics; nanoelectronics; nanophotonics; nanomagnetism; nanoelectromechanics; physical properties of semiconductors and insulators; material growth

Name: Prof. Dr. Anna Witek-Krowiak
Affiliation: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland
Interests: encapsulation; biopolymers; hydrogel; solid waste management; sorption; fertilizers; waste; waste management; wastewater treatment; environment

Publications in Materials:
1. “Chitosan-Coated Alginate Matrices with Protein-Based Biostimulants: A Controlled-Release System for Sustainable Agriculture”
by Daniel Szopa, Katarzyna Pstrowska and Anna Witek-Krowiak
Materials 2025, 18(3), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030591

2. “Advanced Packaging Techniques—A Mini-Review of 3D Printing Potential”
by Anna Witek-Krowiak, Daniel Szopa and Beata Anwajler
Materials 2024, 17(12), 2997; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122997

3. “Comparative Analysis of Crosslinking Methods and Their Impact on the Physicochemical Properties of SA/PVA Hydrogels”
by Konrad Niewiadomski, Daniel Szopa, Katarzyna Pstrowska, Paulina Wróbel and Anna Witek-Krowiak
Materials 2024, 17(8), 1816; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081816

Name: Prof. Dr. Hongyan Ma
Affiliation: Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA
Interests: future cements (cement efficiency enhancing strategies, novel supplementary cementitious materials, and alternative cements); solid waste upcycling; massive CO₂ capture, utilization, and mineralization; thermal energy storage and micro-grid integration; materials characterization; multi-scale modeling; concrete durability; NDT and sensing; nano- and biological technologies in construction;  carbon-negative recovery of critical minerals (e.g., Ni, Co, Li, and Cu)

Publication in Materials:
“Anti-Corrosion Performance of Magnesium Potassium Phosphate Cement Coating on Steel Reinforcement: The Effect of Boric Acid”
by Fan Zhang, Jihui Qin, Kangyi Cai, John J. Myers and Hongyan Ma
Materials 2024, 17(21), 5310; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17215310

Name: Prof. Dr. Maria Kurańska
Affiliation: Cracow University of Technology, Poland
Interests: materials science; chemical engineering; chemistry engineering; agricultural and biological sciences; environmental science; energy; polyurethane; circular economy; biopolyols

Publications in Materials:
1. “Application of Modified Seed Oils of Selected Fruits in the Synthesis of Polyurethane Thermal Insulating Materials”
by Elżbieta Malewska, Maria Kurańska, Maria Tenczyńska and Aleksander Prociak
Materials 2024, 17(1), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010158

2. “From Bioresources to Thermal Insulation Materials: Synthesis and Properties of Two-Component Open-Cell Spray Polyurethane Foams Based on Bio-Polyols from Used Cooking Oil”
by Krzysztof Polaczek, Maria Kurańska, Elżbieta Malewska, Małgorzata Czerwicka-Pach and Aleksander Prociak
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6139; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186139

3. “The Effect of Rapeseed Oil Biopolyols and Cellulose Biofillers on Selected Properties of Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foams”
by Tomasz Prociak, Dariusz Bogdal, Maria Kuranska, Olga Dlugosz and Mark Kubik
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133357

Name: Prof. Dr. Rongshan Qin
Affiliation: The Open University, UK
Interests: mesoscale modelling; virtual reality; digital twin

Publication in Materials:
“Visual Computation of Material Microstructure and Deformation”
by Rongshan Qin
Materials 2024, 17(12), 2854; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122854

Name: Prof. Dr. Yunhai Ma
Affiliation: Jilin University, China
Interests: bionic tribology and its application in friction control; bionic drag reduction and wear resistance technology development; bionic design principles for high-performance friction materials; structural bionics of cutting tools for enhanced tribological performance; biomimetic surface engineering for friction reduction in mechanical components; mechanism investigation of bionic structures on friction and wear behavior; bionic optimization of cutting tool materials and interface tribology; development of biomimetic friction-resistant materials for industrial applications

Publications in Materials:
1. “A Comparative Study on Rice Husk, as Agricultural Waste, in the Production of Silica Nanoparticles via Different Methods”
by Shengwang Yuan, Yihao Hou, Shun Liu and Yunhai Ma
Materials 2024, 17(6), 1271; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17061271

2. “Microstructure and Wear Resistance of Ti6Al4V Titanium Alloy Laser-Clad Ni60/WC Composite Coating”
by Mingjia Feng, Yunhai Ma, Yitong Tian and Hongtu Cao
Materials 2024, 17(1), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010264

3. “Biomimetic Coupling Structure Increases the Noise Friction and Sound Absorption Effect”
by Yunhai Ma and Wei Ye
Materials 2023, 16(22), 7148; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16227148

Name: Dr. Abdollah Saboori
Affiliation: Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Interests: metal additive manufacturing; selective laser melting; electron beam melting; directed energy deposition; stainless steel; titanium alloys; metal matrix composites; materials characterization

Publications in Materials:
1. “Process-Driven Structural and Property Evolution in Laser Powder Bed Fusion of a Newly Developed AISI 316L Stainless Steel”
by Amir Behjat, Morteza Shamanian, Fazlollah Sadeghi, Mohammad Hossein Mosallanejad and Abdollah Saboori
Materials 2025, 18(14), 3343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18143343

2. “Fabrication and Characterization of Polycaprolactone–Baghdadite Nanofibers by Electrospinning Method for Tissue Engineering Applications”
by Mir Reza Forogh, Rahmatollah Emadi, Mehdi Ahmadian and Abdollah Saboori
Materials 2024, 17(17), 4187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174187

3. “An Overview of the Latest Progress in Internal Surface Finishing of the Additively Manufactured Metallic Components”
by Farideh Davoodi, Mohammad Taghian, Giuseppe Carbone, Abdollah Saboori and Luca Iuliano
Materials 2023, 16(10), 3867; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103867

Name: Dr. Biao Fu
Affiliation: Zhengzhou University, China
Interests: critical metal recovery from low-grade ores; heavy metal pollution control

Name: Dr. Ke Chen
Affiliation: Nanjing University, China
Interests: metamaterials; metasurfaces; electromagnetics; microwave

Guest Editor of Materials’ Special Issue:
“Metamaterials and Metasurfaces: From Materials to Applications”
Submission deadline: 20 Apr 2026

Name: Dr. Peng Yu
Affiliation: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
Interests: micro- and nanophotonic devices; plasmonics; detection; light energy conversion

Name: Dr. Wenjie Zhao
Affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Interests: metal and alloys; corrosion; electrochemistry; oxidation; structural evolution; protective film; composite coatings; corrosion inhibitors; corrosion modeling; corrosion-life prediction

Publication in Materials:
“Review of Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Nanosheets in Corrosion Mitigation: Recent Developments, Challenges, and Prospects”
by Jintao Cao, Yangmin Wu and Wenjie Zhao
Materials 2025, 18(6), 1190; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061190

Name: Dr. Zhangpeng Li
Affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Interests: 2D nanomaterials
Guest Editor of Materials’ Special Issue:
“Functional Gels: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications”
Submission deadline: 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.

Materials Editorial Office

Dr. Riddhiman Medhi is one of the authors of the Issue Cover paper entitled “Stabilizing the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) of Citrate-Synthesized Metal Nanoparticles in Organic Solvents”, published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Author’s introduction:
Dr. Medhi obtained his PhD in chemistry from the University of Houston, where he was a recipient of the Dan E. Wells Outstanding Dissertation Award (Summer 2020) and the Jay K. Kochi fellowship-funded Graduate Student Research Award (2020) for excellence in research. Dr. Medhi’s research focused on novel optoelectronic nanoparticles with composite architectures for applications in renewable energy, biomedical therapy, and environmental remediation. Following his postdoctoral work at Cornell University on bioinspired polymer coatings, Dr. Medhi established an independent research laboratory as an Assistant Professor at the University of Scranton. Currently, Dr. Medhi’s work focuses on the synthesis and application of novel nanomaterials for a sustainable future, spanning inorganic chemistry, polymer chemistry, surface science, and fabrication, with an application focus on optical sensing and photocatalysis.

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

“Stabilizing the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) of Citrate-Synthesized Metal Nanoparticles in Organic Solvents”
by Jacob P. Magdon, Matthew J. Jasienski, Madison R. Waltz, Gabrielle A. Grzymski, Calvin Chen, Arion M. Solomon, Minh Dang Nguyen, Jong Moon Lee, John C. Deàk, T. Randall Lee and Riddhiman Medhi
Materials 2025, 18(22), 5246; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18225246

The following is an interview with Dr. Riddhiman Medhi:

1. Congratulations on your published paper. Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
Thank you! In this published work, our research group has unveiled a deep-dive analysis that could significantly expand the applications of metal nanoparticles beyond water-based systems. It is well known that these metal nanoparticles exhibit a phenomenon known as localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), where their electron clouds oscillate in resonance with visible to near-infrared light frequencies. This unique property has already revolutionized fields such as medical diagnostics, sensing, photothermal therapy, drug delivery, energy harvesting, and photocatalysis.
Until now, most fabrication methods have relied on aqueous environments, with the citrate method being the method of choice for the majority of researchers and industry. Here, the particles are stabilized in the form of nanosized colloids using electrostatic forces coming from the citrate ions on the surface. However, when transferred to organic solvents, the particles quickly clump together, losing their LSPR capabilities—a major barrier for broader use.
This new study demonstrates innovative techniques for functionalizing and transferring these nanoparticles into organic solvents without compromising their optical properties. By testing a range of nanoparticles, ligands, and solvents, our team identified polymer-based systems that can encapsulate the particles and provide alternative stabilization through dipole–dipole and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Unlike electrostatic interactions, these dipole–dipole and hydrogen-bonding interactions are transferable to other solvents, thereby sustaining their role in colloidal stability.
This advancement opens the door to new possibilities for nanoparticle modification and utilization in organic media, paving the way for next-generation applications in energy, medicine, and advanced materials.

2. What are the key takeaways you hope readers will gain from your paper?
The readers of this article will gather two main insights: Firstly, the readers will be able to quickly identify that hydroxypropyl cellulose, a cellulose derivative, is a great ligand for citrate substitution and phase transfer of pretty much all kinds of citrate-stabilized metal nanoparticles. With this key phase transfer step already figured out, researchers will now be able to focus on using these plasmonic nanoparticles in non-aqueous chemistry and applications of interest to them.
Secondly, readers will see that solvent–solvent interactions and solvent viscosity also play a key role in nanoparticle stability and may therefore consider their solvent choices more carefully, as well as possibly investigate these interactions further. Overall, this work will be of great benefit to synthetic, applied, and physical chemists alike.

3. Was there a specific experience or event in your research career that led you to focus on your current field of research?
When I was attempting to synthesize core–shell and core–dual-shell nanoparticles featuring TiO₂ as the shell, I wanted to use a titanium butoxide precursor to generate my TiO₂, as it is the most standard and established method. However, we faced a major roadblock with this approach, since the TBOT transformation to TiO₂ happens via hydrolysis with water, and if we are running the reaction in an aqueous medium, it leads to uncontrolled TiO₂ growth. This is a problem if we are trying to grow a uniform and well-defined shell around a nanoparticle. However, at that time, there were no straightforward methods for phase transfer and stabilization of standard citrate-stabilized nanoparticles in nonaqueous systems. I realized this must be a significant problem for other synthetic chemists like myself as well, and that a well-defined investigation into this question was warranted. 

4. 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 was my choice for publication because of multiple factors. Firstly, they are a well-established, peer-reviewed topical journal in materials science that precisely matches the scope of our work and has a broad reach. Secondly, they have a rapid turnaround on their decisions, which means I don’t have to be in limbo for months; instead, we can get the research out quickly for others to read and apply. Thirdly, I have previously published in Materials, and the authoring experience has always been smooth, while also providing ease of access and quality for readers.

5. How do you think open access way of publishing impacts authors?
Open access is a great way to share your research with the broader research community. Especially if you believe your research addresses an important, widely applicable question, open access is the most appropriate approach. This way, we can ensure that the solutions we provide are immediately available to all researchers in the field, thereby maximizing their impact.

Conference: 41st International Conference of the Polymer Processing Society (PPS-41)
Date: 31 May–4 June 2026
Place: Salerno, Italy

We are excited to announce that MDPI journals will participate as exhibitors in the 41st International Conference of the Polymer Processing Society (PPS-41), in Paestum, Salerno, Italy, from 31 May to 4 June 2026.

As we gather for the 41st edition of this top-level international conference, PPS-41 will continue to explore the future of polymer processing, addressing cutting-edge advancements, sustainability, and the evolving role of polymers in a rapidly changing world.

PPS conferences provide a distinguished platform for academics, researchers, and industry professionals to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and showcase pioneering technologies and innovative solutions.

The submitted contributions will be organized in parallel sessions in the following subjects:

• Additive manufacturing of polymers;
• Aeronautical and aerospace applications;
• Biomedical applications;
• Composites, blends and alloys;
• Extrusion, mixing and compounding;
• Fibers and films;
• Foams and membranes;
• Injection molding, micromolding and molds;
• Machine learning in polymer processing;
• Modeling and simulation;
• Morphology and structural development;
• Nanotechnology and nanocomposites;
• Rheology and characterization;
• Rubber, elastomers and thermosets;
• Smart polymers and special applications;
• Solid state processing and properties;
• Soft robotics;
• Surfaces and interfaces;
• Sustainability (recycling, LCA, environmental impact, biodegradable polymers);
• Special session: advances in polymer processing and digital manufacturing for prosthetic devices.

The following MDPI journals will be presenting at the conference:

• Polymers;
• Macromol;
• Materials;
• Colloids and Interfaces;
• J. Compos. Sci.;
• Chemistry;
• Physchem;
• Fibers;
• Nanomaterials;
• AI Chemistry;
• Surfaces;
• Aerospace;
• Coatings.

If you are planning to attend the conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.pps-41.org/.

MDPI is excited to announce its participation as an exhibitor at the 2026 Society For Biomaterials Annual Meeting & Exposition (SFB 2026), taking place in Atlanta, USA, from 25 to 28 March 2026.

The Society For Biomaterials (SFB)’s Annual Meeting is the preeminent conference for biomaterials science. Each year, the Society provides a diverse program of sessions, panels, and workshops relating to special interest groups, specific topics, and important issues. The meeting is a welcoming community of academics, industry leaders, scientists, and students, networking and discussing the latest research and innovations in the field. The Annual Meeting provides an academic and social environment for connection and knowledge to be obtained by each individual.

The theme for the SFB 2026 Annual Meeting is Biomaterials at the Crossroads: Connecting Science, Industry, and Innovation. This is where the future of biomaterials unfolds!

The following MDPI journals will be presented at the conference:

• Bioengineering;
• Journal of Functional Biomaterials;
• Biomolecules;
• Journal of Pharmaceutical and BioTech Industry;
• Prosthesis;
• Materials;
• Future Pharmacology;
• Pharmaceutics;
• Biomedicines.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to contact us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #401 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://meetings.biomaterials.org/.

We are pleased to announce updates to our article template, aimed at improving the readability and visual appeal of our publications. The following updates will be applied to articles published in volumes in 2026, starting from 19 December 2025.

Left information bar:

• Updated the logo and URL for “Check for updates”;
• Removed the “Citation” section (Note: Citation details remain accessible via “Cite” in the online article version);
• Changed the link in “Copyright” to a hyperlink format.

Footer:

• Added a DOI link at the bottom-right corner of each page.

The updated template is now available for download from the Instructions for Authors page of each journal.

We hope that the new version of the template will provide users with better experience and make the process more convenient.

For any questions or suggestions, please contact our production team at production@mdpi.com.

The MDPI webinar “AI-Powered Material Science and Engineering” brings together leading experts to explore how artificial intelligence is accelerating the discovery, characterization, and modeling of advanced materials across different scales. AI-driven tools now enable researchers to predict material behavior, interpret complex structural data, and significantly increase the speed of innovation compared to traditional experimental methods. This webinar features Prof. Dr. Jian Feng Wang from City University of Hong Kong, an internationally recognized expert in the micro–macro mechanics of granular materials; his work integrates X-ray CT, discrete element modeling, and machine learning-based pattern recognition to reveal the multiscale physics governing soil behavior. Also joining is Prof. Dr. Stefano Mariani from the Polytechnic University of Milan, whose research spans the reliability of MEMS, structural health monitoring using machine learning and deep learning, advanced fracture simulations, and multiscale modeling, supported by extensive experience across international research institutions. Together, they will demonstrate how AI enhances understanding from particle-scale mechanics to complex structural systems.
MDPI has 115 journals under the subject of "Chemistry & Materials Science"; please click here for further details.

Date: 1 December 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. CET | 3:00 p.m. CST
Webinar ID: 826 5862 3549
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Webinar webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/HTWAI-1

Register now for free!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic or institutional email addresses will be prioritized. 

Unable to attend? Feel free to still register; we will inform you when the recording is available.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speaker:

• Prof. Dr. Jian Feng Wang, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong;
• Prof. Dr. Stefano Mariani, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano.

 Relevant Special Issue:
“Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Material Design, Discovery, and Optimization”
Guest Editors: Dr. Craig Hamel and Dr. Devin J. Roach
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026

AI-powered material science and engineering is a rapidly growing and highly popular research field at the intersection of artificial intelligence and materials innovation. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, AI accelerates the discovery, design, and optimization of new materials, significantly reducing time and costs compared with traditional trial-and-error methods. Researchers use AI to predict material properties, screen vast databases, and simulate complex behaviors under various conditions. This transformative approach is revolutionizing industries such as energy, electronics, and healthcare. With increasing investments and breakthroughs, AI-driven materials science is now a hotspot in both academia and industry, offering immense potential for sustainable and high-performance material development.

To advance this transformative frontier, we invite you to explore a curated collection of cutting-edge research articles, journals, and Special Issues spanning diverse domains within AI-powered material sciences and engineering, including intelligent materials design, autonomous experimentation, multiscale modeling, and sustainable materials innovation. By disseminating these breakthroughs, we aim to inspire, accelerate, and champion innovation in materials research, translating scientific discovery into collaborative dialog and real-world applications that will shape a more resilient and sustainable future.

Keynote Speakers:

Prof. Dr. Stefano Mariani Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy	Prof. Dr. Jian Feng Wang City University of Hong Kong, China

 Free to register for this webinar here!

Prof. Michele Parrinello is an Italian physicist particularly known for his work in molecular dynamics, the computer simulation of physical movements of atoms and molecules. To honor his enduring legacy in advancing computational science, MDPI is proud to establish the Michele Parrinello Award through the initiative of his former student, Prof. Xin-Gao Gong. This biennial international award recognizes senior researchers who have made outstanding contributions to computational physical sciences, encompassing physics, chemistry, and materials science with particular emphasis on pioneering contributions to foundational science.

Nomination deadline: 31 March 2026.

Prize:

• EUR 50000;
• An award medal and a certificate.

For more details about the award, please visit here.

We are honored to present a series of thought-provoking interviews with pioneering experts at the forefront of AI-powered materials science and engineering, as they share their transformative journeys and visionary insights on accelerating material discovery, innovation, and sustainable development across diverse scientific and industrial landscapes.

Name: Dr. Fernando Gomes de Souza Junior Affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil “Perhaps the work I am most proud of is the development of a unique, unprecedented scale for assessing the hazard of micro- and nanoplastics. No standardized global metric existed. We aggregated data from hundreds of articles—toxicity, size, shape, surface charge, chemical composition, environmental behavior—and trained an AI model to classify the relative risk of each particle type. This would have been impossible without AI.” Please read the full interview here.

Name: Dr. Pedro Morouço Affiliation: Polytechnic University of Leiria, Portugal “In my own work, AI has become the “glue” between biomechanics and biomaterials. Wearable-sensor and imaging data inform digital twins of tissues; surrogate models then explore scaffold designs that best support anticipated loads, healing profiles, or athlete-specific movement patterns. This has shortened iteration cycles (from weeks to days) when tuning lattice density, pore geometry, or printing paths to meet simultaneous targets like strength, compliance, and nutrient diffusion.” Please read the full interview here.

 “A Comprehensive Review of Machine-Learning Approaches for Crystal Structure/Property Prediction”
by Mostafa Sadeghian, Arvydas Palevicius and Giedrius Janusas
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The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with materials science and engineering has become one of the most dynamic and transformative frontiers in contemporary research. By leveraging AI techniques such as machine learning, deep learning, and data-driven modeling, scientists can now accelerate materials discovery, optimize material properties, and predict performance with unprecedented efficiency. Recognizing its immense potential, MDPI has launched the “AI-Powered Material Science and Engineering” event. We were sincerely honored to interview Dr. Fernando Gomes de Souza Junior, an Editorial Board Member of Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Name: Dr. Fernando Gomes de Souza Junior Affiliation: Biopolymers & Sensors Lab., Macromolecules Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Interests: natural resources; polymerization; nanocomposites; characterization; imaging; environmental recovery; nanomedicine; sensors; machine learning; data mining

The following is a short interview with Dr. Fernando Gomes de Souza Junior:

1. Could you introduce yourself and provide a concise overview of your research field?
Hi and it’s a pleasure to be here. My name is Fernando G. de Souza Jr. I am a Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and my work sits at the intersection of materials science and engineering, with a specialized focus on biopolymers, nanocomposites, data analysis, experimental design, biofuels, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
My journey began in 1994, when I enrolled in chemistry at the Federal University of Espírito Santo. Back then, we were still using Windows 3.11—the first encounters with computers felt almost magical. It was during this era that I sent my first email, near the end of the 1990s, and began to realize how profoundly technology could transform scientific research. Throughout my undergraduate studies, my master’s degree (at UENF in materials science and engineering), and my doctorate (at the Institute of Macromolecules, UFRJ, working with conductive polymers), I consistently faced one recurring challenge: the explosion of scientific data generated by instruments such as electrometers, spectrometers, and sensors. This compelled me to learn programming—first in BASIC, later in more advanced languages—to automate measurements, process results, and extract meaning from numerical chaos. My postdoctoral work led me into data analysis and experimental design, where I began constructing statistical models capable of precisely describing the formation and performance processes of the materials we study.
Today, my research group focuses on biopolymers and nanocomposites, particularly in addressing their economic and technical challenge: they are, on average, 25% more expensive than their petrochemical analogs. Overcoming this barrier requires more than simply substituting raw materials—it demands functional innovation, which in turn necessitates nanomodification strategies guided by data-driven optimization. And this is where artificial intelligence entered as a catalyst—not merely as a tool but as a new scientific paradigm of thinking.

2. What has been the greatest challenge you have faced in your research career?
This is a very interesting question—and I believe it doesn’t have a single answer. When I reflect on the evolution of my career since 1994, I see that the greatest challenge wasn’t merely technical—it was cultural and systemic: learning to adapt to the accelerating pace of technological change while simultaneously fighting for investments—both public and private—that can translate this change into real scientific advancement. Universities are fundamental institutions for training qualified personnel, and this became clear to me during my undergraduate research, master’s, doctorate, and, ultimately, through my professorship selection process. But the true leap came when I confronted the absurd volume of data produced by high-precision instruments—data that, without adequate tools, was useless. That’s when I began writing my first code, realizing the importance of programming, multivariate statistics, and factorial experimental design. But the most recent—and perhaps the deepest—challenge is different: text mining of scientific and patent literature.
Today, what challenges me most is extracting hidden knowledge from the literature: articles, patents, technical reports. It’s not just about reading more—it’s about understanding what is not being said, identifying unexplored gaps, and detecting invisible connections between seemingly unrelated fields. For example, while scientific literature emphasizes new nanoparticles, novel synthesis techniques, or thermal properties, patents focus on durability, flexibility, lifespan, and industrial scalability. This discrepancy is rich—yet invisible without AI. This is precisely where we are now focusing: developing machine learning and generative AI models to mine these texts, extract patterns, identify trends, and—most importantly—generate novel hypotheses from data that already exists but remains unread. This is our current challenge: transforming information into strategic knowledge. And this requires more than algorithms—it demands scientific vision, critical curiosity, and persistence.

3. In your view, what are the main advantages of integrating artificial intelligence into materials science and engineering? How has AI transformed your research methods or outcomes?
This is an excellent question—because it touches the core of the revolution we are living through. The integration of AI into materials science is not an enhancement—it is a redefinition of the scientific methodology. Many of the problems we face—complex, multivariate, involving hundreds of interacting variables—would be impossible to solve without these tools.
One concrete example: We developed a butylene succinate oligomer for use as a bio-phase changing material (bio-PCM)—a material that stores and releases heat to regulate temperature in environments. Optimizing its thermal properties involves dozens of parameters: monomer-to-catalyst ratio, reaction temperature, time, pressure, additives, etc. With traditional methods, testing all combinations would take years. With machine learning, we built predictive models that identified optimal conditions for maximum thermal efficiency and cyclic stability—in weeks. And this has enormous social impact: residential climate control consumes staggering amounts of energy. If we can develop materials that reduce this demand, we contribute to energy justice and resilience amid severe climate change.
Another example: in the field of biofuels, we used machine learning to discover novel catalysts. Instead of randomly testing hundreds of compounds, we trained models using molecular structures and catalytic performance data—and the models pointed us toward promising candidates we would never have considered.
We also developed a text classification system to understand how science and industry perceive the same material differently. We used Scopus (scientific literature) and patent databases (WIPO, USPTO). Result? In science, the focus is on new techniques, new nanoparticles, new properties. In patents, the focus is on lifespan, flexibility, production cost, scalability. This divergence reveals a critical gap between what science produces and what industry needs. And AI allows us to visualize, quantify, and—ultimately—bridge it.
But perhaps the work I am most proud of is the development of a unique, unprecedented scale for assessing the hazard of micro- and nanoplastics. No standardized global metric existed. We aggregated data from hundreds of articles—toxicity, size, shape, surface charge, chemical composition, environmental behavior—and trained an AI model to classify the relative risk of each particle type. This would have been impossible without AI. Only through the capacity to process, correlate, and generalize such vast data at scale could we create a tool now being used by research groups worldwide. AI doesn’t merely accelerate research—it redefines what is possible to investigate.

4. Looking ahead to the next decade, what do you see as the main opportunities and potential advances in materials science and engineering driven by AI?
This is another excellent question—and I believe that, above all, we must focus on more efficient methods for extracting scientific data. Much of what we seek to discover is already written—but hidden within thousands of articles, theses, patents, and technical reports. The next great leap will come from intelligent web scraping, semantic extraction, and the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) to uncover connections between concepts, disciplines, and fields. It’s not just about keyword searches. It’s about understanding:

• What are the most critical gaps in biopolymer nanocomposites?
• Which material combinations have been tested and failed—but never documented as “failures”?
• Which patents are blocking innovation due to overly aggressive protection strategies? 

These are the new problems of science—and AI is the only tool capable of solving them.
Moreover, property optimization will remain a pillar—but no longer in isolation. The ideal strategy now integrates four pillars:

1. Data analysis (to understand what already exists);
2. Experimental design (to define next steps efficiently);
3. Computational simulation (Monte Carlo, molecular dynamics);
4. Machine learning (to predict, generalize, and suggest). 

We have already succeeded in predicting properties of nanocomposites—such as thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, or degradation rate—based solely on chemical composition. This eliminates hundreds of experiments. And what’s even more powerful: these models are reusable. A model trained on biopolymers can, with minimal adjustments, be applied to synthetic polymers, ceramics, or even hydrogels.
The next decade will be defined by generative models—not just to predict, but to invent. Imagine a model that, given a functional objective—“a material that is biodegradable, lightweight, highly impact-resistant, and degrades within 6 months in moist soil”—generates hundreds of plausible compositions, suggests molecular structures, viable synthesis routes, and even cost estimates. This is already possible. In ten years, it will be routine. Materials science will cease to be a science of trial and error—and become a science of data-guided computational design.