Announcements
22 May 2025
The 2nd International Online Conference on Biomimetics (IOCB2025), 16–18 September 2025
22 May 2025
Meet Us at the International Conference on Neutron Scattering (ICNS), 6–10 July 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark
22 May 2025
Materials | Selected Papers in 2024 in the “Porous Materials” Section
21 May 2025
Materials | Highly Cited Papers Published in 2024 in the “Polymeric Materials” Section
21 May 2025
Meet Us at the China Materials Conference 2025, 5–8 July 2025, Xiamen, China
21 May 2025
Materials | Interview with the Issue Cover Author—Dr. Hideki Arimatsu
Dr. Hideki Arimatsu is one of the authors of the Cover Paper featured in Volume 18, Issue 3, entitled “Dual Roles of PTSA in Electrical Conductivity of PEDOT:PTSA with Large Seebeck Coefficient”, published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).
Author’s Introduction
Dr. Hideki Arimatsu earned his Ph.D. in engineering from Tokyo City University in Japan. His primary research areas include functional materials and their applied properties. Currently, he is focused on developing materials for the social implementation of organic thermoelectric conversion materials.
Based on the positive evaluations from the reviewers and Academic Editors of Mr. Arimatsu’s group’s article, we have selected their article as the Issue Cover for display on the Materials website.
“Dual Roles of PTSA in Electrical Conductivity of PEDOT:PTSA with Large Seebeck Coefficient”
by Hideki Arimatsu, Yuki Osada, Ryo Takagi, Yosuke Ohira, Tomoki Hijikata and Takuya Fujima
Materials 2025, 18(3), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030619
The following is an interview with Mr. Hideki Arimatsu:
1. Congratulations on your published paper! Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
I express our gratitude for this valuable opportunity. This paper forms part of a research initiative aimed at enhancing the performance of organic thermoelectric conversion materials, specifically those based on the conductive polymer PEDOT. The study concentrates on a novel material comprising PEDOT:PTSA supported on felt fibers. Organic thermoelectric conversion materials are anticipated to be integrated into flexible devices, such as wearable technology; however, they have not yet attained the performance levels necessary for practical application and are currently the focus of extensive global research. The material under investigation has been shown to exhibit both high electrical conductivity and positive and negative Seebeck coefficients reaching several mV/K. Although the high Seebeck coefficient of PEDOT:PTSA was predicted through theoretical calculations, the mechanisms underlying this distinctive property—including the electrical conduction mechanism —remain experimentally unresolved. The relationship between PTSA concentration and the thermoelectric properties of felt-supported PEDOT:PTSA, as elucidated in this paper, is expected to contribute to the practical application of organic thermoelectric conversion materials and their future societal implementation.
2. What are the key takeaways you hope readers will gain from your paper?
A significant accomplishment of this study is the demonstration that it is feasible to sustain a Seebeck coefficient of several mV/K while simultaneously enhancing the electrical conductivity of PEDOT-based thermoelectric conversion materials by several orders of magnitude. This finding represents an uncommon trend in the field of thermoelectric conversion materials. Consequently, we anticipate that this paper will act as a catalyst for the further investigation of this distinctive phenomenon, ultimately facilitating the practical application of organic thermoelectric conversion materials in society.
3. What aspects of the Materials journal appealed to you and motivated you to submit your paper? In your opinion, what can authors expect when they submit to their work to Materials?
The aspects that drew my attention to the journal Materials included its extensive readership and streamlined submission process. As an open access journal, Materials encompasses a diverse array of materials, properties, and applications, ensuring that published articles reach a broad audience of researchers. I have frequently consulted Materials in my research endeavors. Furthermore, the journal's highly efficient peer-review process is of significant benefit to researchers. Those contemplating submission to a journal can anticipate the rapid dissemination of their research findings to a wide scholarly audience.
4. What is your experience publishing with Materials?
The peer-review process I encountered was both expeditious and constructive. The reviewers’ comments have enriched the discourse surrounding our research and facilitated a more robust argument for the enhanced significance of our findings. Additionally, the submission system was user friendly, requiring minimal tasks from contributors, thereby reducing stress and allowing us to concentrate on enhancing the fundamental quality of our research and manuscripts.
21 May 2025
Materials | Interview with the Issue Cover Author—Ms. Oliwia Kordyl
Ms. Oliwia Kordyl is one of the authors of the Cover Paper featured in Volume 18, Issue 7, entitled “Optimization of LCD-Based 3D Printing for the Development of Clotrimazole-Coated Microneedle Systems”, published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).
Author’s Introduction
Ms. Oliwia Kordyl has an M.Sc. in biotechnology and is currently a Ph.D. candidate conducting her doctoral work in an external study mode under the supervision of Dr. Bozena Michniak-Kohn (Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey) and Prof. Tomasz Osmałek (Poznań University of Medical Sciences). Her research focuses on the development of microneedle systems, fabricated using advanced 3D printing and micro-molding techniques for the localized delivery of antifungal drugs in the treatment of fungal skin infections. Currently, she is professionally involved in a project on transdermal microneedle systems for the treatment of depressive disorders. Additionally, she has hands-on experience in molecular biology gained through work in both industrial and academic environments, including advanced biotechnology techniques, epigenetic profiling, and molecular diagnostics.
Based on the positive evaluations by the reviewers and Academic Editors for Ms. Kordyl’s group’s article, we have selected their article as the Issue Cover for display on the Materials website.
“Optimization of LCD-Based 3D Printing for the Development of Clotrimazole-Coated Microneedle Systems”
by Oliwia Kordyl, Zuzanna Styrna, Monika Wojtyłko, Jolanta Dlugaszewska, Dorota Kaminska, Marek Murias, Dariusz T Mlynarczyk, Barbara Jadach, Agnieszka Skotnicka, Bozena Michniak-Kohn and Tomasz Osmałek
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1580; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071580
The following is an interview with Ms. Oliwia Kordyl:
1. Congratulations on your published paper! Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
Thank you very much! I am glad to share the main research content of our published paper. Given that fungal infections affect up to 25% of the global population, we posed a key question: Can the treatment of fungal skin infections be improved by minimizing side effects and enhancing patient care? In response, we developed 3D-printed clotrimazole-coated microneedle systems as an innovative drug delivery platform for treating fungal skin infections. Microneedles offer the advantage of painlessly bypassing the skin barrier, enabling localized treatment with enhanced effectiveness and reduced side effects. Our research focused on optimizing both the design and 3D printing parameters to enhance the mechanical properties of microneedles, which is crucial for effective skin penetration. We also conducted a comprehensive pharmaceutical evaluation, including in vitro drug release studies, antifungal activity testing, and acute toxicity assessments. The results confirmed both the efficacy and safety of the system, supporting the potential of microneedles as a promising strategy for drug delivery.
2. Was there a specific experience or event in your research career that led you to focus on your current field of research?
I graduated with an M.Sc. in biotechnology, and my previous professional experience focused on microbiology, including research on fungal strains. At the same time, the growing potential of 3D printing in medical sciences became a strong area of interest for me. The project I am currently working on, which resulted in our recent research paper, combines both my professional background and personal interests. Working on innovative drug delivery systems for the treatment of fungal skin infections, which increasingly affect the global population, gives me a sense of contributing to the development of promising solutions that could enhance treatment outcomes and overall quality of life.
3. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to other young researchers?
The field of microneedle systems and 3D printing technologies is rapidly expanding, with new fabrication techniques and continuous improvements being introduced. The growing number of high-quality scientific publications clearly reflects strong and increasing interest in this area. Young researchers today have numerous opportunities to engage with the scientific community early in their careers. I would encourage them to actively participate in research groups, attend scientific lectures, and get involved in projects from the very beginning. Gaining hands-on experience at an early stage is invaluable and will undoubtedly benefit researchers’ future careers. Importantly, the development of 3D-printed drug delivery systems is highly interdisciplinary, combining pharmaceutical sciences with materials engineering. This creates a broad landscape for collaboration and allows researchers to find their niche while working in diverse, forward-thinking teams.
4. What has your experience publishing with Materials been?
My experience publishing with Materials has been very positive. The Assistant Editor was helpful and promptly responded to all questions and concerns. The publication process was smooth and relatively fast. While there were several formal requirements, I appreciate that they contributed to the high quality of the final publication. Additionally, the insightful feedback from the reviewers significantly improved the quality of our work.
5. How do you think the open access way of publishing impacts authors?
In my opinion, the way research is published plays a significant role in scientific communication, and open access (OA) publishing offers many advantages for authors. One of the key benefits is the ability to share research findings rapidly and widely, which is particularly important for innovative or time-sensitive discoveries. OA allows researchers to reach a broader readership, extending beyond academia to include students, early career scientists, and even the general public interested in deepening their knowledge. This is especially relevant when the research has potential clinical applications, such as our work on antifungal skin therapies. Open access ensures that the public has unrestricted access to transparent and scientifically validated knowledge, helping to build trust between science and society. Moreover, OA aligns with the current requirements of many grant agencies, which often mandate that results from publicly funded research be made freely available. This promotes knowledge dissemination and encourages collaboration across disciplines and institutions. However, it is also important to acknowledge the financial burden associated with OA publishing. Article processing charges can be a significant barrier—particularly for early career researchers or those without institutional support—and may discourage some authors from choosing this route. Overall, despite certain challenges, I believe that open access represents a powerful and essential model for the future of scientific publishing.
21 May 2025
The 3rd International Conference on Materials Science, Engineering and Technology, 20–23 October 2025, Singapore
21 May 2025
Materials | Highly Cited Papers in 2024 in the “Optical and Photonic Materials” Section
21 May 2025
Materials | Selected Papers Published in 2024 in the “Carbon Materials” Section
