Announcements

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative—the MDPI Special Issue Mentor Program.

This program will enable early career researchers (who must hold a Ph.D. in a related field) to experience editing a Special Issue in MDPI journals, under the mentorship of our experienced Editorial Board Members or other experienced scientists. The mentor program will provide an excellent opportunity for early career scientists to gain editorial experience, and to cultivate their ability to edit scientific research.

The mentee’s responsibilities include:

• Proposing a Special Issue title and assisting the mentor in preparing a summary (around 200–400 words) and 3–10 keywords describing the background, importance, and goal of the Issue;
• Writing a brief promotion plan for the Special Issue;
• Preparing a list of scholars who may be interested in the Issue and personally e-mailing invitations on behalf of Guest Editors;
• Writing an editorial for the online Special Issue together with the mentor.

The mentor’s responsibilities include:

• Conducting a final check before the Special Issue is published online;
• Performing editorial control of the Special Issue and quality control of the publications, both of which must be carried out in a timely manner;
• Providing suggestions to younger scholars if they have any doubts or concerns regarding submissions;
• Organizing video calls with young scholars and the Editorial Office regularly to discuss problems and improvement suggestions for the Special Issue;
• Making and submitting decisions regarding submissions with the assistance of mentees.

Certificates and awards:
After the Special Issue closes, the Editorial Office will provide official certificates for all the mentors and early career researchers.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your Special Issue proposal to the Editorial Office of a journal you choose, and we will discuss the process (i.e., mentor collaboration, Special Issue topic feasibility analysis, etc.) in further detail. The full list of MDPI journals is as follows: https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals.

In addition to the new Special Issue Mentor Program, we will continue to welcome all Special Issue proposals focusing on hot research topics.

MDPI has just become the first open access (OA) publisher to reach the milestone of one million articles published. That is one million articles freely available to all, to circulate and build upon! We are proud to share this special moment with the global scientific community.

This landmark has been reached thanks to the immeasurable support of more than 600,000 expert reviewers, 66,000 editorial board members and 6700 hard-working colleagues across MDPI’s global offices.

Within more than 25 years of publishing, our journals received 2.1 million manuscripts and generated 4.6 million peer review reports to get to one million papers published.

Reaching the milestone of one million articles published reinforces our mission to remove any existing barriers and to make scientific research accessible to all. Since its inception, MDPI’s goal has been to create reliable processes to make science open. This is a path towards facilitating the dissemination of novel insights in scientific communities.

Regular feedback from authors and reviewers shows that our service is greatly appreciated and needed. At the same time, the feedback helps us identify areas for further improvement.

As it stands, a significant share of published research findings remain closed access. More than half of the content published with the most well-known legacy publishers stays behind a paywall, and that is not including articles published in hybrid OA journals, or made available months or years after publication.

A new policy announced by the US administration in August 2022 requires that, as of January 2026, all US federally funded research be made freely and immediately available after publication. While the new policy does not mandate articles be published under an open access license, it is aligned with the open access movement in removing all barriers to research. Similarly, some of the most advanced research institutions in the world intend to have all funded research articles published in open access by 2025.

MDPI is proud to be the leading agent of the transition to open access.

"Thanks a Million" to all the contributors!

We are pleased to announce that the website of the MDPI Sustainability Foundation has been revamped! For the past couple of months, our UX UI team and front-end developers have been working hard to launch the website in time for the opening of the Sustainability Awards nominations.

The website is not the only thing that has had a remodeling. Indeed, the format of the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award (ESLA) has been updated. ESLA is now a competition open to individual researchers or start-ups founded by researchers under the age of 35. Nominee applications will go through 2 rounds of selection until the final 3 are decided. The finalists will then be invited to give pitch presentations during the Award Ceremony to win either first place (10,000 USD) or runner-up (2 x 5000 USD).

The World Sustainability Award, on the other hand, remains the same: a total prize money of 100,000 USD is up for grabs by senior individual researchers or groups of researchers from the international research community.

Nominations for both the World Sustainability Award and the Emerging Sustainability Leader award are now open! Check out our new website for more information on how to nominate.

1. “Membrane Technologies in Wastewater Treatment: A Review”
by Elorm Obotey Ezugbe et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(5), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10050089
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/5/89

2. “New Perspectives on Fuel Cell Technology: A Brief Review”
by Norazlianie Sazali et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(5), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10050099
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/5/99

3. “Electrodialysis Applications in Wastewater Treatment for Environmental Protection and Resources Recovery: A Systematic Review on Progress and Perspectives”
by Luigi Gurreri et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(7), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10070146
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/7/146

4. “A Review on the Mechanism, Impacts and Control Methods of Membrane Fouling in MBR System”
by Xianjun Du et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10020024
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/2/24

5. “Polymyxins and Bacterial Membranes: A Review of Antibacterial Activity and Mechanisms of Resistance”
by Carole Ayoub Moubareck
Membranes 2020, 10(8), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10080181
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/8/181

6. “Solid-Contact Ion-Selective Electrodes: Response Mechanisms, Transducer Materials and Wearable Sensors”
by Yan Lyu et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(6), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10060128
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/6/128

7. “Macropinocytosis in Different Cell Types: Similarities and Differences”
by Xiao Peng Lin et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(8), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10080177
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/8/177

8. “Electrodialytic Processes: Market Overview, Membrane Phenomena, Recent Developments and Sustainable Strategies”
by Laurent Bazinet et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(9), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10090221
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/9/221

9. “Review of Synthetic and Hybrid Scaffolds in Cartilage Tissue Engineering”
by Monika Wasyłeczko et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(11), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10110348
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/11/348

10. “Removal of Dyes Using Graphene Oxide (GO) Mixed Matrix Membranes”
by Rana J. Kadhim et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(12), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10120366
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/12/366

11. “Progress on the Fabrication and Application of Electrospun Nanofiber Composites”
by Mariela Toriello et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(9), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10090204
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/9/204

12. “The Role of New Inorganic Materials in Composite Membranes for Water Disinfection”
by Roberto Castro-Muñoz
Membranes 2020, 10(5), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10050101
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/5/101

13. “Development of Hydrophilic PVDF Membrane Using Vapour Induced Phase Separation Method for Produced Water Treatment”
by Normi Izati Mat Nawi et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(6), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10060121
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/6/121

14. “Ceramic Microfiltration Membranes in Wastewater Treatment: Filtration Behavior, Fouling and Prevention”
by Mohammed Wali Hakami et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(9), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10090248
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/9/248

15. “Electrical, Dielectric Property and Electrochemical Performances of Plasticized Silver Ion-Conducting Chitosan-Based Polymer Nanocomposites”
by Jihad M. Hadi et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(7), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10070151
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/7/151

16. “Cu Homeostasis in Bacteria: The Ins and Outs”
by Andreea Andrei et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(9), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10090242
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/9/242

17. “Hydrogen Production via Steam Reforming: A Critical Analysis of MR and RMM Technologies”
by Giovanni Franchi et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10010010
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/1/10

18. “Sustainable Fabrication of Organic Solvent Nanofiltration Membranes”
by Hai Yen Nguyen Thi et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11010019
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/1/19

19. “Insights into Advancements and Electrons Transfer Mechanisms of Electrogens in Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells”
by Mohammad Faisal Umar et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(9), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10090205
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/9/205

20. “Forward Osmosis as Concentration Process: Review of Opportunities and Challenges”
by Gaetan Blandin et al.
Membranes 2020, 10(10), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10100284
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/10/10/284

1. “Electrospun Medicated Nanofibers for Wound Healing: Review”
by Xinkuan Liu et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(10), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11100770
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/10/770 

2. “Orodispersible Membranes from a Modified Coaxial Electrospinning for Fast Dissolution of Diclofenac Sodium”
by Tingbao Ning et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(11), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11110802
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/11/802 

3. “A Review on Polymer Nanocomposites and Their Effective Applications in Membranes and Adsorbents for Water Treatment and Gas Separation”
by Oluranti Agboola et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(2), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11020139
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/2/139 

4. “A Review on Ionic Liquid Gas Separation Membranes”
by Karel Friess et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(2), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11020097
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/2/97 

5. “Nanofiber-Based Face Masks and Respirators as COVID-19 Protection: A Review”
by Wafa K. Essa et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(4), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11040250
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/4/250 

6. “Polymers and Solvents Used in Membrane Fabrication: A Review Focusing on Sustainable Membrane Development”
by Xiaobo Dong et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(5), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11050309
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/5/309 

7. “Membrane-Based Harvesting Processes for Microalgae and Their Valuable-Related Molecules: A Review”
by Roberto Castro-Muñoz et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(8), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11080585
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/8/585 

8. “Ionic Mobility in Ion-Exchange Membranes”
by Irina A. Stenina et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(3), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11030198
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/3/198 

9. “Characteristics of a Plasticized PVA-Based Polymer Electrolyte Membrane and H⁺ Conductor for an Electrical Double-Layer Capacitor: Structural, Morphological, and Ion Transport Properties”
by Mohamad A. Brza et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(4), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11040296
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/4/296 

10. “Polydopamine Functionalized Graphene Oxide as Membrane Nanofiller: Spectral and Structural Studies”
by Abedalkader Alkhouzaam et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(2), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11020086
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/2/86 

11. “Green Synthesized of Ag/Ag2O Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Leaves Extracts of Phoenix dactylifera L. and Their Azo Dye Photodegradation”
by Salah Eddine Laouini et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(7), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11070468
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/7/468 

12. “Active Edible Films Fortified with Natural Extracts: Case Study with Fresh-Cut Apple Pieces”
by Simona Jancikova et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(9), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11090684
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/9/684 

13. “Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Sulfonated Titanium Oxide Incorporated Chitosan Nanocomposite Membranes for Fuel Cell Application”
by Saad Ahmed et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(6), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11060450
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/6/450 

14. “Performance Analysis and Optimization of a High-Temperature PEMFC Vehicle Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm”
by Yanju Li et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(9), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11090691
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/9/691 

15. “Removing of the Sulfur Compounds by Impregnated Polypropylene Fibers with Silver Nanoparticles-Cellulose Derivatives for Air Odor Correction”
by Aurelia Cristina Nechifor et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(4), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11040256
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/4/256 

16. “Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins”
by Saman Majeed et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(9), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11090685
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/9/685 

17. “Gas Permeation Properties of High-Silica CHA-Type Zeolite Membrane”
by Yasuhisa Hasegawa et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(4), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11040249
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/4/249 

18. “Recent Advances in the Prediction of Fouling in Membrane Bioreactors”
by Yaoke Shi et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(6), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11060381
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/6/381 

19. “Bioactive Agent-Loaded Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Accelerating Healing Process: A Review”
by Seyyed-Mojtaba Mousavi et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(9), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11090702
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/9/702 

20. “Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutant in Wastewater by Electrospun Functionally Modified Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers Membrane Anchoring TiO₂ Nanostructured”
by Fahad A. AlAbduljabbar et al.
Membranes 2021, 11(10), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11100785
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/10/785

Peer Review Week began 19 September 2022 under the theme of “Research Integrity: Creating and Supporting Trust in Research”. Through various blog articles, podcast, and webinar, we discussed this crucial subject throughout the week, celebrating the essential role peer review plays in maintaining research quality.

To begin, we held a Webinar on the topic. Professor Peter W. Choate and Dr. Emmanuel Obeng-Gyasi joined Dr. Ioana Craciun, one of MDPI’s scientific officers, for an in-depth discussion.

We invite you to view the event recording:

During the week, the MDPI Blog in a series articles highlighted how good Peer Review safeguards research integrity. The following topics were covered:

• Peer Review Week 2022
• Research Integrity
• What We’ve Learned About Peer Review Reports
• 4 Steps to the Perfect Peer Review Report
• How to Write the Perfect Peer Review Report: An Interview
• Inviting Great Peer Reviewers

In a new edition of Insight Faster, an MDPI podcast, we were delighted to talk to the co-chairs of the Peer Review Week committee, Jayashree Rajagopalan (Senior Manager of Global Community Engagement for CACTUS) and Danielle Padula (Head of Marketing and Community Development at Scholastica) to get their take on this year’s event and its related topics.

You can find the Podcast here.

We hope you enjoy the contents!

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative—the Special Issue Mentor Program. 

This program intends to provide an opportunity for early career scientists to enhance their editing, networking, and organizational skills and to work closely with our journal to gain more editorial experience. Early career scientists who have novel ideas for new Membranes Special Issues will act as Guest Editors under the mentorship of an experienced scientist; this mentor could be a member of the Editorial Board of Membranes (ISSN: 2077-0375), from other well-established research institutes or laboratories, etc. 

The mentee’s responsibilities include:

• Providing a CV, including a list of publications;
• Proposing a Special Issue title and a short introduction;
• Writing a brief promotion plan for the Special Issue;
• Reviewing and making decisions for submissions under the mentorship of our Editorial Board Members. 

The mentor’s responsibilities include:

• Checking and making final decisions before the Special Issue is published online;
• Providing suggestions to young scholars on Special Issue editorial work;
• Checking Special Issues and giving feedback or advice in a timely manner to help to improve the quality of Special Issues.

Certificates and awards:

The Membranes Editorial Office will provide official certificates for mentors who help young scholars to lead a successful Special Issue. The younger scholars will be prioritized as candidates for Membranes Young Investigator Awards in future editions. 

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your Special Issue proposal to the Membranes Editorial Office (membranes@mdpi.com) and we will discuss the process (mentor collaboration, Special Issue topic feasibility analysis, etc.) in further detail. 

In addition to the new Special Issue Mentor Program, Membranes continues to welcome all Special Issue proposals based on hot research topics as usual. 

Membranes Editorial Office

MDPI will be attending the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2022, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 11 to 15 September 2022. This is the third edition of IWA, with the topic of “Water for Smart Liveable Cities”, which will engage stakeholders and key contacts within the conventional water sector and beyond. It will bring together core water sector groups, such as those focused on urban water and urban water services, as well as participants from industry and agriculture, architects and urban planners, soil and groundwater experts and hydrologists, social scientists, the ICT sector, the financial sector, and others.

During this conference, MDPI (at booth #C2-383) will welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest inspirations with us.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Water (leading journal);
• Hydrology;
• Sustainability;
• Energies;
• Geosciences;
• Infrastructures;
• Membranes;
• Toxics;
• Resources.

If you plan on attending this conference, feel free to stop by our booth at #C2-383. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions you may have.

For more information about the conference, please see the following link: https://worldwatercongress.org.

MDPI will be attending EuroBioFilms 2022 (EBF), hosted by the ESCMID Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), which will be held from 31 August to 3 September 2022 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The conference will be held at the Meliá Palma Marina Hotel, Av. de Gabriel Roca, 29, 07014 Palma, Balearic Islands.

The multidisciplinary program will cover many subjects and will be a mix of basic and clinical biofilm-related topics. Leading scientists in the field will be present as keynote speakers and/or chairpersons. Oral presentations will be presented during various parallel sessions. On 31^st of August, several educational preconference workshops will be organized.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Antibiotics (leading);
• Pathogens;
• Membranes;
• Biology;
• Journal of Personalized Medicine.

If you are attending this 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 and our booth, please visit the following link: https://eurobiofilms2022.com/, or contact the Antibiotics Editorial Office at antibiotics@mdpi.com.

Conference: 49th World Polymers Congress MACRO 2022
Date: 17–21 July 2022
Place: Winnipeg, Canada
Booth: #6

Polymers (ISSN: 2073-4360) and Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) will be attending the 49th World Polymers Congress MACRO 2022 as exhibitors from 17 to 21 July 2022 in Winnipeg, Canada.

The year 2022 marks the first time that Canada is hosting the World Polymers Congress since it became a biennial event in 1998. The polymer science community of Canada looks forward to connecting at the 49th World Polymers Congress, which is held in the city of Winnipeg from 17 to 21 July 2022. True to its mission, MACRO 2022 will be a forum for international scientists and students who are in various stages of their career development to share knowledge and experiences.

The MACRO 2022 program comprises nine themes that represent the following subjects:

• Polymers for Biomedical Engineering;
• Polymers for Energy and Environmental Applications;
• Polymer Engineering and Rheology;
• Polymers for Nanotechnology;
• Polymer Physics and Characterization;
• Polymers from Renewable Resources and Biodegradable Polymers;
• Polymer Science Education;
• Polymer Synthesis and Kinetics;
• Smart and Functional Polymers.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Polymers;
• Materials;
• Membranes;
• Pharmaceutics;
• Sustainability;
• Bioengineering;
• Gels;
• Electrochem;
• Solar.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you plan on attending this conference. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you might have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.macro2022.org/.