Announcements

MDPI is pleased to participate in ThinFilms2026, taking place from 13 to 17 July 2026 at the Holiday Inn Atrium, Singapore.

Organized by the Thin Films Society (TFS), ThinFilms2026 brings together leading researchers, scientists, engineers, and industry professionals to explore the latest developments in thin film science and technology. The conference covers a broad range of topics, including materials science, deposition techniques, emerging applications, and interdisciplinary innovations shaping the future of thin films research.

We warmly invite conference attendees to visit the MDPI booth to learn more about our portfolio of open access journals, publishing opportunities, editorial initiatives, and services designed to support researchers throughout their publishing journey.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Coatings;
• Metals;
• Surfaces;
• Crystals;
• Materials;
• Membranes;
• Fibers;
• CMD;
• C;
• Lubricants;
• Photonics;
• Physchem.

If you plan on attending this conference, we invite you to visit our booth and converse with our delegates in the Changi Room on the fourth floor of the conference venue. We are excited to meet you in person and address any questions that you may have. For further details about the conference, please visit the following website: https://conference.thinfilms.sg/2026.

Conference: China Materials Conference 2026
Date: 12–15 July 2026
Location: Wuhan, China

The China Materials Conference 2026, the annual academic conference of the Chinese Materials Research Society, will take place from 12 to 15 July 2026 in Wuhan, China.

The 2026 conference will feature a wide range of thematic sessions covering key and emerging areas, including energy materials, information materials, advanced structural materials, functional materials and devices, biomedical materials, materials for daily life and transportation, environmental materials, safety materials, and “AI + materials”, among others.

MDPI will be attending this event as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

The following open access journals will be represented at this conference:

If you are planning to attend 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 this event, please visit https://cmc2026.scimeeting.cn/cn/web/index/35126.

We are pleased to share that Metals (ISSN 2075-4701) has received an increased CiteScore of 5.7 in June 2026. The CiteScore ranks the journal 41 out of 182 titles (Q1) in the “Metals and Alloys” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 16.

You can find more statistics on our website.

The current CiteScores measure the average number of citations within a journal over a four-year window (2022–2025). The Scopus database provides a comprehensive suite of metrics that support informed publishing strategies, research evaluation and enable benchmarking of journal performance.

This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editors. Together we will continue to track the progress of Metals and its growing impact in metals and metallurgical engineering.

The 2025 CiteScore metrics have been officially released by Scopus, and the results confirm what has become a consistent pattern for MDPI's journal portfolio: broad recognition across disciplines, steady improvement across the majority of ranked titles, and a growing presence at the top of subject category rankings.

CiteScore, published annually by Elsevier's Scopus database, measures the average citations received by articles published in a journal over a four-year window. As a complement to the Journal Impact Factor, which uses a two-year window based on the Web of Science database, CiteScore provides an alternative, long-term perspective on citation performance.

The 365 MDPI journals in Scopus (as of May 2026) are indexed across a wide range of subject categories, ensuring that open access research remains highly discoverable to a global readership through one of the most widely used platforms in academic publishing.

Data Summary (2025 CiteScores)

• New Additions: 41 MDPI journals received a CiteScore for the first time.
• Trending Upward: 234 of 322 previously ranked journals (73%) saw an increase in their CiteScore compared to last year.
• High Visibility: 314 journals (86%) rank in Q1 or Q2 in at least one subject category.
• Elite Performance: 42 journals rank in the top 10% of their subject categories.

Portfolio Performance

Among the 322 journals that held a CiteScore in 2024, 234 saw an increase this year. Quartile improvements outnumbered declines across the portfolio, with 52 journals moving to a higher quartile and only 20 seeing a decline. Furthermore, no previously ranked journals were removed. The 42 journals now ranked in the top 10% of their subject categories are drawn from a strong foundation of 178 journals holding a Q1 position.

With the large majority of our indexed portfolio ranked in the top half of research fields, researchers can confidently choose MDPI to meet funder mandates for high-quality, fully compliant Open Access publishing.

Exceptional Achievements for Foods and Life

Notably, both Foods and Life achieved a 99th percentile ranking in their respective subject categories for the 2025 CiteScores. This outstanding placement positions them as leading journals in their fields and highlights the high visibility and global impact of the open access research they publish.

Journal Metrics and Beyond

Journal-level metrics describe outlets, not individual articles. An increasing number of funders and institutions—including signatories of DORA and the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment—now explicitly encourage evaluation at the article level rather than by the journal in which research appears. MDPI supports this direction: we report CiteScore alongside the Journal Impact Factor, Journal Citation Indicator, and article-level usage data because no single number captures the full reach and contribution of published research.

Thank You

These results reflect the sustained effort of thousands of editors-in-chief, editorial board members, reviewers, and authors across every field MDPI serves. The metrics are the outcome; the work is yours.

We are pleased to announce that six new scholars have been appointed as Editorial Board Members (EBMs) of Metals (ISSN: 2075-4701). We wish our new members success in both their research and their efforts to develop the journal.

Name: Prof. Dr. Martin Leitner
Affiliation: Institute of Structural Durability and Railway Technology, CD Laboratory for Structural Integrity in Rail Vehicle Design, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
Interests: fatigue design; structural durability; technological aspects; welded joints; high-strength steels; mechanical engineering; rail vehicle design

Name: Prof. Dr. Eduardo De Souza Neto
Affiliation: Zienkiewicz Centre for Computational Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
Interests: multi-scale modelling of solids; computational homogenisation methods; modelling and simulation of biological tissues; modelling of polycrystalline metals; topological derivative; microstructural optimisation

Name: Prof. Dr. Renato Altobelli Antunes
Affiliation: Center for Engineering, Modelling and Applied Social Sciences (CECS), Federal University of the ABC (UFABC), Santo André 09210-580, SP, Brazil
Interests: corrosion; surface analysis; XPS; protective coatings; electrodeposition; scanning probe electrochemical techniques

Name: Dr. José Guadalupe Chacón-Nava
Affiliation: Department of Metallurgy and Structural Integrity, Advanced Materials Research Center (CIMAV), Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, Chihuahua 31136, Chihuahua, Mexico
Interests: corrosion engineering; coatings; inhibitors; cathodic protection; metallic alloys; stress corrosion cracking; failure analysis; high-temperature corrosion; erosion–corrosion

Name: Dr. Marcos Flávio De Campos
Affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Metallurgical Engineering, Fluminense Federal University, Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interests: permanent magnets; electrical steels; hard magnetic materials; soft magnetic materials; ferrites; physical metallurgy; rare earths; powder metallurgy; residual stresses

Name: Dr. Luis Filipe Borrego
Affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: fatigue; fracture mechanics; fatigue crack propagation; crack closure; additive manufacturing; structural integrity

For further details about the Editorial Board of Metals, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/metals/editors.

The journal is currently recruiting new Editorial Board Members. If you are interested in this position, please contact the Editorial Office at metals@mdpi.com.

Conference date: 12–14 October 2026
Deadline for abstract submission: 11 May 2026
Deadline for registration: 6 October 2026
Conference chair: Prof. Dr. Antonio Riveiro Rodríguez (Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain)

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself? 
I’m Dr. Azmah Hanim from Putra Malaysia University. I teach and do research in materials and mechanical engineering, with a strong interest in sustainable materials, especially lead-free soldering and all different types of materials. My main objective is to understand how materials behave under different conditions. I really enjoy working with students and connecting research with real-world engineering challenges, particularly in sustainability.

2. What do you think of the development status and trends of open access publishing?
I think open access has really changed the way we share research, in a good way. It makes knowledge much more accessible, not just to researchers but also to industry and even the public. From what I see, the trend is moving towards faster sharing and more collaboration globally. Of course, we still need to ensure quality through proper peer review, but overall, open access is helping research reach a much wider audience, which is very important today.

3. What is your impression of the Metals journal?
My impression of the Metals journal is positive. It’s a solid platform for both fundamental and applied research in metals and materials. I like that it covers a wide range of topics and also highlights newer areas like sustainability. Being open access is also a big advantage because it allows the research to be easily shared and read by people all over the world.

4. What do you think will be the research hotspots in the field of metals in the next few years, and can you describe them to us?
I think sustainability will really drive a lot of the research in metals moving forward. For example, greener processing methods, better recycling techniques, and reducing carbon footprint in metal production. At the same time, we’ll continue to see growth in areas like additive manufacturing, especially for metal components, as well as the development of lighter and stronger alloys for industries like automotive and aerospace. Another important area is understanding how metals perform in harsh environments, especially for energy applications. Overall, the focus will be on making metals more efficient, durable, and environmentally friendly.

5. What is one reason you would encourage someone to submit an abstract?
It’s a great chance to share your work and get feedback from others in the field. Sometimes even a short discussion can give you new ideas or perspectives. It’s also a good way to connect with other researchers and build collaborations.

6. What makes this conference different and worth attending?
I think what makes this conference special is how accessible it is. Since it’s fully online, people from all over the world can join without worrying about travel costs or time constraints. It also brings together a wide range of topics under metals, including sustainability, which is very relevant right now. The format is quite flexible too, so it’s easier for participants to engage and share their work.

For more details, please visit https://sciforum.net/event/IOCME2026.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact iocme2026@mdpi.com.

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Paulo Tavares. I am currently acting as R&D coordinator for Advanced Monitoring and Structural Integrity at INEGI, Porto Portugal. INEGI, the Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, is a research technological organization (RTO) focused on mechanical engineering topics. The R&D unit “Advanced Monitoring and Structural Integrity” develops methodologies for structural integrity appraisal based on both conventional techniques, such as accelerometers or electrical strain gauges, but also optical and imaging techniques, such as fiber-optic sensing with Bragg sensors or distributed sensing, laser speckle Interferometers for nanometer scale displacement and strain monitoring and imaging techniques such as digital image correlation. We also use passive and active, lockin, and IR thermography techniques on all bands of the IR, from Near IR (NIR) through Short-, Medium- and Long-Wave IR bands. The methodologies we develop, and use give us an edge in the analysis of phenomena in fatigue and fracture mechanics studies, very much in line with the analysis needs for the outstanding behavior of contemporary advanced metal technologies characterization.

2. What do you think of the development status and trends of open access publishing?
Open Access (OA) publishing came through as a definite step forward in knowledge broadcasting, by spreading free access to high-quality publications. But we need to ensure those high quality publication standards are continuously met and not put aside even for a split second, or otherwise we risk compromising that quality in favor of publishing facilitation, something we all know can be attractive for the publishing community on the short term but nefarious or, at least, wicked, in the long run. If we ever lose that perspective and let OA become a fast track to researcher publication indexes alone, the Research Community itself will disconnect from journal reading and all industry will pay dearly for that.

3. What is your impression of the Metals Journal?
Metals is highly regarded as an important journal in the field. On one hand, exactly because it does not dispense of its high-quality standards in exchange for that continuous paper flow, by keeping a highly demanding editorial team. On the other, because of its choice of subjects and Special Issues which reflect the most important contemporary topics of the field. Metals is a good example of a very focused journal, investing in the right aspects of publishing for a demanding scientific community.

4. What do you think will be the research hotspots in the field of metals in the next few years, and can you describe them to us?
Metal is the most recyclable substance on the planet. In our continuous search for decreasing environmental impact, the research for lighter but more resistant next generation steel or metals for specific applications, we clearly see several industries forecasting the reduction of polymers and keeping or increasing the use of metals. This single fact is very pertinent in technology R&D roadmaps around the globe and influences many activities related to manufacturing in different ways, such as condition monitoring research topics. fatigue and fracture mechanics, which progressed immensely from the initial studies during the first half of the last century, will continue to drive the interest of the industries and the research teams everywhere, due to the findings or necessary studies of new metals and their use or manufacturing technologies. Moreover, the huge leap forward of technologies related to power drivers, telecommunications, propulsion systems, fuel cells or H2 engines, to name a few, require a continuous flow of novel metallic materials and the necessary information thereof. Some metals we didn’t have a lot of use for just a few years ago are currently on the brink of insufficiency or disappearance altogether, according to recent reports of supplying corporations and unions. Such are the challenges that journals such as Metals currently must address, which is really a handful.

5. What is one reason you would encourage someone to submit an abstract?
I can give you several, but most importantly, to make a point, communicate a discovery, influence the research community towards an important aspect or reveal an aspect hasn’t been covered and which influences the view of others. These should be the most important drivers in research and a common guide to every researcher. Metals is the right place to do so.

6. What makes this conference different and worth attending?
For exactly the same reasons I encourage researchers to publish in Metals or submit an abstract to IOCME 2026–strive to make a difference and contribute to scientific progress.

Introduction of IOCME 2026:
Conference Date: 12–14 October 2026
Deadline for Abstract Submission: 11 May 2026
Deadline for Registration: 6 October 2026
Conference Chair: Prof. Dr. Antonio Riveiro Rodríguez, Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain

For more details, please visit https://sciforum.net/event/IOCME2026.
For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact iocme2026@mdpi.com.

Conference: The 23rd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries (IMLB 2026)
Organization: IMLB and Volt-Age CONCORDIA
Date: 14–19 June 2026
Place: Montréal Convention Centre, Montreal, Canada

The IMLB 2026 Scientific and Organizing Committees are pleased to invite you to the 23rd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries in Montréal, Canada from 14 to 19 June 2026.

IMLB 2026 is the premier international conference on the state of lithium battery science and technology, as well as current and future applications in transportation, commercial, aerospace, biomedical, and other promising sectors. Convening in Montréal, the conference is expected to draw around 2,000 experts, researchers, and company representatives involved in the lithium battery field.

This international meeting will provide an exciting forum to discuss recent progress in advanced lithium batteries for energy storage and conversion. The programme will focus on both basic and applied research findings that have improved Li battery materials and led to a deeper understanding of the fundamental processes determining and controlling electrochemical performance. A major (but not exclusive) theme of the meeting will address recent advances beyond lithium-ion technologies, covering a wide range of topics in lithium battery science and technology.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Batteries;
• Clean Technologies;
• Solids;
• Electricity;
• Metals;
• ChemEngineering;
• Safety;
• Vehicles;
• Energy Storage and Applications;
• Physchem;
• Micro;
• Membranes;
• Powders;
• Materials;
• Reactions;
• Electrochem;
• Surfaces;
• Applied Nano;
• Electronic Materials.

If you are attending the 23rd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries, we invite you to visit us at our booth. Our representatives will be available to discuss publishing opportunities and the benefits of open access, as well as answer any questions that you may have.

Join us in Montreal to discover what is next in lithium battery science and technology! For more information about the conference, please visit its official website at https://imlb.org/.

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
   My name is Ernst Gamsjäger, and I work in academic research and teaching as an Associate Professor at the Chair of Mechanics of the Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria.
2. What do you think of the development status and trends of open access publishing?
   New observations from fundamental research and their applications should be made available to humanity. Then, these findings can be used for the benefit of humanity and enable further developments on our planet. In this context, the primary open access publication of scientific contributions ensures barrier-free dissemination of knowledge and is a desirable trend, for example, promoted by MDPI journals. To the delight of authors, the review process has become very fast. However, care must also be taken to ensure that reviewers and authors are not put under too much time pressure, so that quality remains the top priority.
3. What is your impression of the Metals journal?
   I have been a member of the editorial board of Metals for several years. Both as an author and as a reviewer, the support of the journal’s publishing team is great, e.g., there is an almost immediate response to any questions concerning the status of manuscripts.
4. What do you think will be the research hotspots in the field of metals in the next few years, and can you describe them to us?
   From my point of view, the following topics and research questions should be the focus of future research:
   • In situ testing and characterization of metals by experimental techniques combined with model approaches in order to clarify the microstructural processes (e.g., the kinetics of phase transformations, grain growth and coarsening, and the evolution of dislocation densities). The goal is to design metals with superior properties, e.g., by chemical boundary engineering.
   • How does alloying and thermomechanical treatment change the thermodynamic and mechanical properties of metals?
   • There is an urgent need to transform metallurgy into sustainable metallurgy by, e.g., non-fossil reductants in primary production, maximize the use of scrap, and replacing so-called critical raw materials; see, e.g., the following link: https://www.dierk-raabe.com/.
   In all these fields, machine learning tools will partly replace experiments and can be used to classify materials, to support the design of materials, or for the early detection of problems in a production line.
5. What is one reason you would give to encourage someone to submit an abstract?
   A big pro of the conference is the almost barrier-free access. First, it is an online conference, with the advantage that people do not have to travel far distances to attend. Second, there is no registration fee, which is quite unique for a conference.
   Moreover, there is the chance to win a prize for the best poster or presentation. The contributions can be submitted to Metals with a 20% discount on the publication fee.
6. What makes this conference different and worth attending?
   It is comparatively easy to attend. It is planned to be a purely scientific event where experts present and discuss their work. People working on similar research topics or those who do complementary research can meet, discuss their experimental and theoretical possibilities, and may join forces in future research.

Introduction of IOCME 2026:
Conference date: 12–14 October 2026
Deadline for abstract submission: 11 May 2026
Deadline for registration: 6 October 2026
Conference chair: Prof. Dr. Antonio Riveiro Rodríguez (Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain)

For more details, please visit https://sciforum.net/event/IOCME2026.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please get in touch with iocme2026@mdpi.com.