Announcements

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
• Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
• Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
• Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
• Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
• Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
• Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

Instruments and instrumentation is an important research field that encompasses the application of instruments for the observation, measurement, or control of physical and/or chemical systems. These applications are widely used in various fields like physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, food, the environment, energy, aerospace, transportation, consumer electronics, IoT, and so on.

MDPI’s cluster of instruments and instrumentation aims to publish articles focused on advanced technologies in the fields of sensors, actuators, transducers, instruments, micro/nanosystems, and devices. This journal cluster represents a platform fostering innovation in cross-disciplinary research into instruments and instrumentation, ranging from fundamental research to applications, including robotics, smart systems, biomedical engineering, and Industry 4.0, and this platform will enable scientists and engineers to share their breakthroughs in device design, fabrication, manufacture, materials, AI integration, and real-world applications. Each participating journal is unique, with a different emphasis on applications of instruments and instrumentation.

The five participating journals are as follows:

• Actuators (ISSN: 2076-0825) provides a platform for the science and technology of actuator materials, device design, and control systems. It publishes reviews (including comprehensive assessments on complete actuator products), regular research papers, and short notes. Actuators is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Kenji Uchino (The Pennsylvania State University, USA);
• AI Sensors (ISSN: 3042-5999) focuses on a field encompassing a wide range of technologies that enable machines to perceive, interpret, and interact with the world around them. With the rise in edge computing, these sensors are increasingly being deployed in decentralized environments, where data processing and decision making occur closer to the source of data. AI Sensors aims to bridge the gap between the AI, IoT, and sensor research communities, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange to accelerate innovation in edge computing and AIoT sensing technologies. The journal is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Chengkuo Lee (National University of Singapore, Singapore);
• Instruments (ISSN: 2410-390X) publishes studies related to the design and application of instruments, apparatuses, and experimental techniques in disciplinary and interdisciplinary research. The journal’s main subject areas of interest include innovative design, methods, applications, metrological characterization, and the theory of all aspects of advanced instruments, including detectors, accelerators, sensors, transducers, signal generators, virtual instruments, etc. Instruments is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Antonio Ereditato (Enrico Fermi Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, USA);
• Micromachines (ISSN: 2072-666X) encourages submissions on micro/nano-scale structures, materials, devices, and systems, as well as related micro- and nanotechnology, from fundamental research to applications. Micromachines is led by its editor-in-chief, Prof. Dr. Ai-Qun Liu (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China);
• Sensors (ISSN: 1424-8220) provides a platform for the science and technology of sensors and their applications. It publishes comprehensive reviews, regular research papers, and data descriptors. It encourages scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible, such that the results can be reproduced by readers. Sensors is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Vittorio M. N. Passaro (Politecnico di Bari, Italy).

Journal	Launch Year	Impact Factor (2024)	CiteScore (2024)	First Decision (Median Days)	APC (CHF)
	2012	2.3	4.3	17.7	2400
	2025	\	\	18	1000
	2017	\	3.3	28	1400
	2010	3	6.0	16.2	2100
	2001	3.5	8.2	18.6	2600

MDPI’s Mission and Values
As a pioneer of academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our aim is to foster scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. MDPI's guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:

Open Access—All of our content is published as open access and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to the latest research, and allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;

Timeliness and Efficiency—We publish the latest research by providing a thorough editorial service, ensuring a first decision is provided to authors in under 32 days and papers are published within 7-10 days of acceptance for publication;

Simplicity—We offer user-friendly tools and services, all in-house, which enhances the efficiency of our editorial process;

High-Quality Service—We support scholars and their work by providing a range of options such as journal publication at mdpi.com, early publication at preprints.org, and conferences on sciforum.net, to make a positive impact on the research community;

Flexibility—We adapt and develop new tools and services to meet the changing needs of the research community, driven by feedback from authors, editors, and readers;

Rooted in Sustainability—We ensure the long-term preservation of published papers and support the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.

By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.

Selected Topics and Special Issues:

• “New Trends in Robotics: Automation and Autonomous Systems”;
• “Federated Edge Intelligence for Next Generation AI Systems”;
• “Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Electronics and Devices”;
• “Advanced Array Signal Processing for B5G/6G: Models, Algorithms, and Applications”.

Selected Articles：

Actuators
“A Review of Electroactive Polymers in Sensing and Actuator Applications”

AI Sensors
“Students’ Burnout Symptoms Detection Using Smartwatch Wearable Devices: A Systematic Literature Review”

Instruments
“Performance of a Modular Ton-Scale Pixel-Readout Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber”

Micromachines
“Recent Progress and Challenges of Implantable Biodegradable Biosensors”

Sensors
“Smart Sensors and Smart Data for Precision Agriculture: A Review”

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), observed annually on 23 June, is a global initiative that celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in engineering while inspiring more young women to pursue engineering careers. Established in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) in the UK, this observance has become a vital platform for advancing diversity and inclusion in the engineering profession.

Aligned with the 2025 theme, “Together We Engineer” and Goal 5 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Gender Equality, MDPI emphasizes the power of collective action to break down gender barriers and foster a more inclusive engineering culture. In this era of both challenges and opportunities, women engineers are driving technological innovation in unprecedented ways—from sustainable development solutions to AI ethics frameworks, their contributions are fundamentally reshaping our industry.

Join us in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day and supporting initiatives that empower women in STEM. Together, we can build a future where engineering innovation thrives through diversity, and where every aspiring engineer has equal opportunities to shape our world.

We are pleased to announce that the first Young Women in Engineering Award is open for nominations. This award was established to acknowledge the achievements of young women investigators in the field of engineering and to inspire young women to consider research and careers in engineering.

Nomination deadline: 30 November 2025.

Prize:

• CHF 1000;
• An electronic certificate;
• A voucher to waive the article processing charges (APCs) for one submission to a journal within the field of engineering (subject to peer review)—valid for one year.

For more details about the award, please visit here. Please feel free to send the nomination letter to ywe-award@mdpi.com.

We are honored to interview several outstanding female scholars in engineering field to share their research journey and your insight into being a female engineer.

	Name: Dr. Teresa Donateo Affiliation: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Italy “Female engineers often bring a unique set of strengths to academic research, shaped by their life experiences and the challenges they routinely navigate. One particularly valuable strength is the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, a skill frequently sharpened through balancing professional responsibilities with personal commitments, such as motherhood.” Please read the full interview here.
	Name: Dr. Jelena Svorcan Affiliation: Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Serbia “Females are generally very responsible, well organized, do not do everything at the last minute, and can very successfully deal with particular, tedious tasks. They perform well under pressure and are great as team leaders and teachers since they engage more with the younger colleagues, but can also be strict when necessary.” Please read the full interview here.
	Name: Dr. Yong Wei Tiong Affiliations: 1 Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 2 Singapore Integrative Biosystems and Engineering Research (SIBER), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore “Female engineers often bring a collaborative, systems-oriented mindset that’s well-suited for complex interdisciplinary problems. They tend to approach problem-solving holistically and with strong communication skills, qualities essential for cross-functional research.” Please read the full interview here.

“Artificial Intelligence for Non-Destructive Imaging in Composite Materials”
by Mine Seckin, Pinar Demircioglu, Ahmet Cagdas Seckin, Ismail Bogrekci and Serra Aksoy
Eng 2025, 6(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6030046

“Disassembly Plan Representation by Hypergraph”
by Abboy Verkuilen, Mirjam Zijderveld, Niels de Buck and Jenny Coenen
Automation 2025, 6(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/automation6010010

“Probing Solid-Binding Peptide Self-Assembly Kinetics Using a Frequency Response Cooperativity Model”
by Taylor Bader, Kyle Boone, Chris Johnson, Cindy L. Berrie and Candan Tamerler
Biomimetics 2025, 10(2), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10020107

“Fast Multi-Distance Time-Domain NIRS and DCS System for Clinical Applications”
by Marco Nabacino, Caterina Amendola, Davide Contini, Rebecca Re, Lorenzo Spinelli and Alessandro Torricelli
Sensors 2024, 24(22), 7375; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24227375

“Understanding the Effect of Carbon Nanotube Core Designs on Controlling Bandgaps and Wave Directionality in Cement”
by Nanziri Esther Kayondo and Shreya Vemuganti
Eng 2024, 5(3), 1811–1822; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5030096

“On the Importance of Solar Radiation and Shading for the Alkali–Aggregate Reaction Prediction of Concrete Arch Dams”
by Noemi Schclar Leitão
Eng 2024, 5(3), 1673–1695; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5030088

“Label- and Reagent-Free Optical Sensor for Absorption-Based Detection of Urea Concentration in Water Solutions”
by Carlo Anelli, Vanessa Pellicorio, Valentina Bello and Sabina Merlo
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2754; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092754

“Electromechanical Actuator-Based Solution for a Scissor Lift”
by Łukasz Stawiński, Viacheslav Zakharov, Andrzej Kosucki and Tatiana Minav
Actuators 2023, 12(10), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/act12100394

“A Synthesis-Based Stateful Approach for Guiding Design Thinking in Embedded System Development”
by Hung-Fu Chang and Supannika Koolmanojwong Mobasser
Software 2023, 2(3), 332–349; https://doi.org/10.3390/software2030016

Special Issues:

“New Technologies for Sensors”	“Recent Advances in Compliant Mechanisms”
“Advanced Sensors and Signal Processing for Psychophysiological Monitoring”	“Digital Twins for Sustainable Industrial Processes”
“Micro-/Nanofluidic and Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Biomedical Applications, 3rd Edition”	“Emerging Trends in Materials Engineering for Clean Energy Applications”

“Effect of Heat Treatment on Polymorphism and Particle Size Distribution of Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticle Synthesized via Mechanochemical Process”
by Md Nuruzzaman, Yanju Liu, Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman, Saifullah Omar Nasif and Ravi Naidu
Appl. Nano 2025, 6(2), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano6020008

“Skin Sensitization Potential of Sensitizers in the Presence of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles In Vitro”
by Claudia Meindl, Kristin Öhlinger, Verena Zrim, Jennifer Ober, Ramona Jeitler, Eva Roblegg and Eleonore Fröhlich
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(22), 1811; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14221811

“Two-Dimensional MoS₂ Nanosheets Derived from Cathodic Exfoliation for Lithium Storage Applications”
by Alberto Martínez-Jódar, Silvia Villar-Rodil, José M. Munuera, Alberto Castro-Muñiz, Jonathan N. Coleman, Encarnación Raymundo-Piñero and Juan I. Paredes
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(11), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14110932

“Gold Nanoparticle-Based Colorimetric and Fluorescent Dual-Mode Lateral Flow Immunoassay for SARS-CoV-2 Detection”
by Ying Gan, Hefan Zhang, Jing Liu, Fuqin He, Fengheng Li, Ao Li, Man Xing, Dongming Zhou, Shan-Yu Fung and Hong Yang
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(3), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15030058

“Examining the Impact of Intermediate Cooling on Mechanical Properties of 22MnB5 in a Tailored Tempering Process”
by Alborz Reihani, Sebastian Heibel, Thomas Schweiker and Marion Merklein
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2024, 8(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp8010005

“Investigating the Effect of Interface Temperature on Molecular Interdiffusion during Laser Transmission Welding of 3D-Printed Composite Parts”
by Anh-Duc Le, André Chateau Akué Asséko, Benoît Cosson and Patricia Krawczak
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6121; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186121

“Synthesis, Physicochemical Characteristics, and Biocompatibility of Multi-Component Collagen-Based Hydrogels Developed by E-Beam Irradiation”
by Maria Demeter, Andreea Mariana Negrescu, Ion Calina, Anca Scarisoreanu, Mădălina Albu Kaya, Marin Micutz, Marius Dumitru and Anisoara Cimpean
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(9), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14090454

“A Modelling-Based Framework for Carbon Emissions Calculation in Additive Manufacturing: A Stereolithography Case Study”
by Vasiliki C. Panagiotopoulou, Aikaterini Paraskevopoulou and Panagiotis Stavropoulos
Processes 2023, 11(9), 2574; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11092574

“Natural Polyphenols and the Corrosion Protection of Steel: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives for Green and Promising Strategies”
by Rossella Sesia, Silvia Spriano, Marco Sangermano and Sara Ferraris
Metals 2023, 13(6), 1070; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13061070

Special Issues:

“Recent Developments in Friction Stir Welding Technology and Applications”	“Women’s Special Issue Series: Functional Biomaterials (2nd Edition)”
“Healthy and Affordable Zero-Emission Buildings: A Challenge for the Near Future”	“Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Biomimetic Surfaces and Interfaces 2025”
“Advanced Materials and Processing Technologies”	“The 15th Anniversary of Nanomaterials—Women in Nanomaterials”

We are pleased to announce that the Young Women in Engineering Award is open for nominations. This award was established to acknowledge the achievements of young women investigators in the field of engineering and to inspire young women to consider research and careers in engineering. All the nominations will be assessed by an Award Evaluation Committee, and winners will be announced online on 8 March 2026.

Prizes:

• CHF 1000;
• An electronic certificate;
• A voucher to waive the article processing charges (APCs) for one submission to a journal within the field of engineering (subject to peer review)—valid for one year.

Number of winners: 2.

Eligibility and requirements:

• This role is designated for female candidates;
• Must have received their Ph.D. no more than 10 years prior to 31 December 2025;
• Must have produced groundbreaking research and made a significant contribution to the advancement of engineering;
• Must be nominated by senior scientists.

List of documents for nomination:

• Detailed curriculum vitae, including an updated publication list and a list of the researcher’s own research grants;
• Scanned copy of doctorate certificate;
• Signed nomination letters from two established senior scientists.

Schedule:

Open for nominations: 23 June 2025;
Nomination deadline: 30 November 2025;
Winner announcement: 8 March 2026.

Nominations and contact:

All nomination materials and award-related communications must be submitted via our official email: ywe-award@mdpi.com.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to receiving your nominations.

Young Women in Engineering Award Team

In alignment with International Women in Engineering Day, MDPI emphasizes the power of collective action to break down gender barriers and foster a more inclusive engineering culture. MDPI has invited female engineers to showcase their groundbreaking engineering research and share their personal journeys and insights through roundtable discussion. Join us in building a future for engineering and supporting initiatives that empower women in STEM.

Session 1：Breaking Barriers as Rising Stars

Keywords: women in engineering, female engineers, inspiring women, together we engineer, breaking barriers
Date: 11:00 a.m. CEST | 7:00 p.m. AEST| 5:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 834 2423 4697
Webinar Page: https://sciforum.net/event/2025INWED-1

Register now for free!

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

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to view.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Giulia Scalet, University of Pavia, Italy;
• Dr. Miriam Filippi, ETH Zurich, Switzerland;
• Dr. Kyriaki-Evangelia Aslani, University of the Peloponnese, Greece;
• Dr. Athanasia Tolkou, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece;
• Dr. Sabina Alexandra Nicolae, National Institute of Materials Physics, Romania.

Session 2：Legacy Building Through Inclusive Leadership

Keywords: Women in Engineering, Female Engineers, Inspiring Women, Together We Engineer，Leadership
Date: 4:00 p.m. CEST | 10:00 a.m. EDT| 10:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 835 3354 6710
Webinar Page: https://sciforum.net/event/2025INWED-2

Register now for free!

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

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to view.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Sabina Merlo, University of Pavia, Italy;
• Dr. Fabiola Pineda, Universidad Mayor, Chile;
• Dr. Camélia Ghimbeu, Institute of Materials Science of Mulhouse, France;
• Dr. Maria Graça Rasteiro, University of Coimbra, Portugal;
• Prof. Dr. Yuliya Semenova, Technological University Dublin, Ireland;
• Dr. Tatiana Ferreira, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

MDPI will be attending the 6th International Conference on Vibration and Energy Harvesting Applications (VEH 2025), which will take place in Hong Kong from 11 to 14 July 2025.

Vibration energy harvesting has garnered significant attention from academia and industry in recent years due to its potential in enabling green, renewable, and self-powered systems. As a premier international platform, VEH consistently attracts a diverse community of experts advancing innovations in dynamics, sound and vibration, and energy-harvesting technologies. Building on the success of the 2024 edition held in Auckland, Australia, and many past editions, VEH 2025 offers an opportunity to engage with leading researchers and explore the latest developments shaping the future of sustainable energy solutions.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Machines;
• Vibration;
• Acoustics;
• Micromachines;
• Nanomanufacturing;
• Wind;
• Sensors;
• Aerospace;
• JETA;
• JLPEA.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please do not hesitate to stop by our booth and 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://veh2025.hkust.edu.hk/.

MDPI is pleased to announce our participation in the 7th International Conference on Nanoenergy and Nanosystems (NENS 2025), which will be held on from 28 to 30 June 2025, in Beijing Yanqi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center, Beijing, China.

NENS 2025 is intended to stimulate discussions at the forefront of research in nanoenergy and nanosystems. Starting from 2014, NENS has been organized once every two years by the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences (BINN, CAS). The conference has attracted high-profile scholars worldwide to deliver plenary and invited talks. The average number of participants is over 700 attendees per event. In 2025, this conference will provide a platform for scientists to exchange scientific information, build relationships, and possibly establish collaborations with a focus on the following topics:

Symposia: 
Symposium 1: Nanogenerators;
Symposium 2: Self-Powered Sensors and Systems;
Symposium 3: Piezotronics and Semiconductor Devices;
Symposium 4: Energy Storage and Self-Charging Power Systems;
Symposium 5: Self-Powered Bioelectronics;
Symposium 6: Contact-Electro-Catalysis, Electrocatalysis, and Photocatalysis;
Symposium 7: Wearable Electronics and AI;
Symposium 8: Blue Energy and Marine Science.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Energies;
• Nanoenergy Advances;
• Micromachines;
• Nanomaterials;
• Materials;
• Nanomanufacturing.

If you are attending NENS 2025, we invite you to visit us at booth #B11. Our representatives look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

MDPI is excited to announce its participation as an exhibitor at the CSME-CFDSC-CSR 2025 International Congress, which will be held in Montreal, Canada, from 25 to 28 May 2025.

Organized jointly by the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME), the Computational Fluid Dynamics Society of Canada (CFDSC) and the Canadian Society of Rheology (CSR), CSME-CFDSC-CSR 2025 will provide exciting opportunities for collaboration and insight into mechanical engineering, CFD and rheology communities both in Canada and abroad.

The conference will focus on the following topics:

• Advanced Energy Systems;
• Advanced Manufacturing;
• Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering;
• Computational Mechanics;
• Engineering Analysis and Design;
• Environmental Engineering;
• Fluid Mechanics;
• Machines & Mechanisms;
• Materials Technology;
• Mechatronics, Robotics & Controls;
• Microtechnology & Nanotechnology;
• Smart Production Systems;
• Solid Mechanics;
• Sustainable Practices in Engineering;
• Thermal Science & Engineering;
• Transportation Systems;
• Hydraulic Turbines;
• Computational Methods & Model Development;
• Canonical Flows, Flow Physics & Turbulence;
• Compressible & Multiphysics Flows;
• Applications of CFD;
• Theoretical & Computational Rheology, Rheometry;
• Applied Rheology.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Machines;
• Fluids;
• Eng;
• Vehicles;
• Micromachines;
• Aerospace;
• Micro;
• Nanomanufacturing;
• JMMP;
• Technologies;
• Thermo;
• JETA;
• Automation.

Discover how MDPI can support your research and academic goals. Our team will be at the booth to discuss MDPI’s submission process, editorial support, and the benefits of open access publishing. Plus, enjoy exciting gifts and exclusive resources available only at our booth!

If you are planning to attend the conference, we would love to connect with you! Our delegates are eager to meet you in person and answer any questions you may have. For more details about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.csmecongress.org/. We look forward to seeing you there!

Celebrating the International Day of Light, we reflect on light’s essential role in connecting scientific discovery with daily life. Guided by the 2025 theme, “Light, Innovation, Society”, we explore how light transcends boundaries—driving innovations across disciplines, enhancing human experiences, and fostering collaborative solutions to shared challenges. As both a universal symbol and a scientific tool, light continues to inspire curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connections in an ever-evolving world.

MDPI invites researchers and readers to engage with our open access journals, Special Issues, and collaborative platforms dedicated to advancing light-related research. Discover freely accessible studies spanning from foundational principles to emerging applications, participate in global discussions through interdisciplinary forums, and contribute to open science efforts that bridge ideas and communities. Together, let us harness light’s simplicity and depth to spark dialogue, empower collective progress, and illuminate pathways toward a brighter, more inclusive future.

“Preparation and Photoelectric Properties of Nanostructured Native Oxide of Gallium Monoselenide with Applications in Gas Sensors”
by Veaceslav Sprincean, Alexandru Macovei, Liviu Leontie, Aurelian Carlescu, Silviu Gurlui and Mihail Caraman
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(4), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9040194

“Optical Forces on Chiral Particles: Science and Applications”
by Weicheng Yi, Haiyang Huang, Chengxing Lai, Tao He, Zhanshan Wang, Xinhua Dai, Yuzhi Shi and Xinbin Cheng
Micromachines 2024, 15(10), 1267; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15101267

“Innovative Integration of Dual Quantum Cascade Lasers on Silicon Photonics Platform”
by Dongbo Wang, Harindra Kumar Kannojia, Pierre Jouy, Etienne Giraud, Kaspar Suter, Richard Maulini, David Gachet, Léo Hetier, Geert Van Steenberge and Bart Kuyken
Micromachines 2024, 15(8), 1055; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15081055

“Extremely Weak Electro-Optic Kerr Effect in Methyl Silicone Oils”
by Marek Izdebski, Rafał Ledzion and Szymon Węgrzynowski
Materials 2024, 17(8), 1850; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081850

“Estimating Compressive and Shear Forces at L5-S1: Exploring the Effects of Load Weight, Asymmetry, and Height Using Optical and Inertial Motion Capture Systems”
by Iván Nail-Ulloa, Michael Zabala, Richard Sesek, Howard Chen, Mark C. Schall, Jr. and Sean Gallagher
Sensors 2024, 24(6), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24061941

“A Review of Solar Forecasting Techniques and the Role of Artificial Intelligence”
by Khadija Barhmi, Chris Heynen, Sara Golroodbari and Wilfried van Sark
Solar 2024, 4(1), 99-135; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar4010005

“Pulp Particle Classification Based on Optical Fiber Analysis and Machine Learning Techniques”
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