Announcements

MDPI’s Young Investigator Awards recognize promising junior researchers, acknowledge their contributions, and enhance communication among scientists. We are proud to present the winners for the year 2021 in the “Chemistry & Materials Sciences” category. The winners were selected by the journals’ editors.

We warmly congratulate the awarded Young Investigators for their outstanding contributions.

MDPI will continue to provide support and recognition to the academic community.

Coatings:

• Marta Mohedano, Complutense University of Madrid-UCM, Spain

Materials:

• Edoardo Baldini, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Magnetochemistry:

• Mauro Perfetti, University of Florence, Italy

Membranes:

• Xu Hou, Xiamen University, China

Molecules:

• Biplab Maji, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, India

Nanomaterials:

• Andres Castellanos-Gomez, Instituto de Ciencia de los Materiales de Madrid, Spain
• Takuya Isono, Hokkaido University, Japan
• Panbo Liu, Northwestern Polytechnical University, China

In order to acknowledge our reviewers, who so generously dedicate their time to reviewing papers and demonstrate diligence, professionalism, and timeliness when reviewing manuscripts, MDPI journals regularly offer outstanding reviewer awards to scholars who participate in the peer-review process.

We are proud to recognize the winners for the year 2021 in the “Chemistry & Materials Sciences” category for their outstanding contributions among extensive competition by presenting them with the Outstanding Reviewer Award.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the winners on their achievement.

MDPI will continue to provide support and recognition to the academic community.

Catalysts:

• Rahat Javaid, Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute, Japan
• Georgios Bampos, University of Patras, Greece
• Esmail Doustkhah, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan
• Pawan Kumar, University of Alberta, Canada

Magnetochemistry:

• Lorenzo Sorace, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy

Materials:

• Khaled Giasin, University of Portsmouth, UK
• Oldrich Sucharda, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
• Danil Pimenov, South Ural State University, Russia
• Marián Palcut, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia

Metals:

• Khaled Giasin, University of Portsmouth, UK
• Catalin Pruncu, University of Strathclyde, UK
• Jacek Tomków, Gdańsk University of Technology, Poland
• Alexander Yu Churyumov, National University of Science and Technology (MISiS), Russia
• Hesam Pouraliakbar, Chungnam National University, South Korea

Nanomaterials:

• George Kenanakis, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Greece
• Goshtasp Cheraghian, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
• Oana Cadar, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, Romania

Polymers:

• Sawsan A. Zaitone, Suez Canal University, Saudi Arabia
• Lucia Baldino, University of Salerno Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano (SA) Italy
• Gyorgy Szekely, University of Manchester, UK
• Bin Jiang, Northeast Agricultural University, China
• Haibao Lu, Harbin Institute of Technology, China

The purpose of our Best Paper Awards is to promote and recognize the most impactful contributions published within MDPI journals.

The editors of each journal carefully selected reviews and research papers through a rigorous judging process based on criteria such as the scientific merit, overall impact, and the quality of presentation of the papers published in the journal last year.

We are honored to present the winners in the “Chemistry & Materials Sciences” category, who were selected amongst the extensive competition, and congratulate the authors for their outstanding scientific publications.

MDPI will continue to provide support and recognition to the academic community.

C — Journal of Carbon Research：

• “Activated Carbons Derived from High-Temperature Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass”
  by Cristian I. Contescu, Shiba P. Adhikari, Nidia C. Gallego, Neal D. Evans and Bryan E. Biss
  C 2018, 4(3), 51; doi:10.3390/c4030051

Catalysts:

• “Hydrogen Oxidation on Ni-Based Electrocatalysts: The Effect of Metal Doping”
  by Elena S. Davydova, Jérémie Zaffran, Kapil Dhaka, Maytal Caspary Toroker and Dario R. Dekel
  Catalysts 2018, 8(10), 454; doi:10.3390/catal8100454
• “Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production: Role of Sacrificial Reagents on the Activity of Oxide, Carbon, and Sulfide Catalysts”
  by Vignesh Kumaravel, Muhammad Danyal Imam, Ahmed Badreldin, Rama Krishna Chava, Jeong Yeon Do, Misook Kang and Ahmed Abdel-Wahab
  Catalysts 2019, 9(3), 276; doi:10.3390/catal9030276
• “A General Overview of Support Materials for Enzyme Immobilization: Characteristics, Properties, Practical Utility”
  by Jakub Zdarta, Anne S. Meyer, Teofil Jesionowski and Manuel Pinelo
  Catalysts 2018, 8(2), 92; doi:10.3390/catal8020092
• “Mechanistic Insights into Photodegradation of Organic Dyes Using Heterostructure Photocatalysts”
  by Yi-Hsuan Chiu, Tso-Fu Mark Chang, Chun-Yi Chen, Masato Sone and Yung-Jung Hsu
  Catalysts 2019, 9(5), 430; doi:10.3390/catal9050430

Ceramics:

• “Chemical Preparation Routes and Lowering the Sintering Temperature of Ceramics”
  by Philippe Colomban
  Ceramics 2020, 3(3), 312–339; doi:10.3390/ceramics3030029

Coatings:

• “State of the Art in Directed Energy Deposition: From Additive Manufacturing to Materials Design”
  by Adrita Dass and Atieh Moridi
  Coatings 2019, 9(7), 418; doi:10.3390/coatings9070418
• “Encapsulation of Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells: A Review”
  by Ashraf Uddin, Mushfika Baishakhi Upama, Haimang Yi and Leiping Duan
  Coatings 2019, 9(2), 65; doi:10.3390/coatings9020065
• “Poly (Lactic Acid)/Thermoplastic Starch Films: Effect of Cardoon Seed Epoxidized Oil on Their Chemicophysical, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties”
  by Rosa Turco, Rodrigo Ortega-Toro, Riccardo Tesser, Salvatore Mallardo, Sofia Collazo-Bigliardi, Amparo Chiralt Boix, Mario Malinconico, Massimo Rippa, Martino Di Serio and Gabriella Santagata
  Coatings 2019, 9(9), 574; doi:10.3390/coatings9090574
• “Physical and Morphological Characterization of Chitosan/Montmorillonite Films Incorporated with Ginger Essential Oil”
  by Victor Gomes Lauriano Souza, João Ricardo Afonso Pires, Carolina Rodrigues, Patricia Freitas Rodrigues, Andréia Lopes, Rui Jorge Silva, Jorge Caldeira, Maria Paula Duarte, Francisco Braz Fernandes, Isabel Maria Coelhoso and Ana Luisa Fernando
  Coatings 2019, 9(11), 700; doi:10.3390/coatings9110700
• “Application and Evaluation of a Pectin-Based Edible Coating Process for Quality Change Kinetics and Shelf-Life Extension of Lime Fruit (Citrus aurantifolium)”
  by Neda Maftoonazad and Hosahalli S. Ramaswamy
  Coatings 2019, 9(5), 285; doi:10.3390/coatings9050285

Crystals:

• “Crystal and Magnetic Structures in Layered, Transition Metal Dihalides and Trihalides”
  by Michael A. McGuire
  Crystals 2017, 7(5), 121; doi:10.3390/cryst7050121
• “σ-Hole Interactions: Perspectives and Misconceptions”
  by Peter Politzer and Jane S. Murray
  Crystals 2017, 7(7), 212; doi:10.3390/cryst7070212
• “σ-Hole Interactions of Covalently-Bonded Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Arsenic: A Survey of Crystal Structures”
  by Peter Politzer, Jane S. Murray, Goran V. Janjić and Snežana D. Zarić 
  Crystals 2014, 4(1), 12-31; doi:10.3390/cryst4010012
• “Epitaxial Graphene on SiC: A Review of Growth and Characterization”
  by Gholam Reza Yazdi, Tihomir Iakimov and Rositsa Yakimova
  Crystals 2016, 6(5), 53; doi:10.3390/cryst6050053

Magnetochemistry:

• “A Clock Transition in the Cr₇Mn Molecular Nanomagnet”
  by Charles A. Collett, Kai-Isaak Ellers, Nicholas Russo, Kevin R. Kittilstved, Grigore A. Timco, Richard E. P. Winpenny and Jonathan R. Friedman
  Magnetochemistry 2019, 5(1), 4; doi:10.3390/magnetochemistry5010004
• “A Series of Field-Induced Single-Ion Magnets Based on the Seven-Coordinate Co(II) Complexes with the Pentadentate (N₃O₂) H₂dapsc Ligand”
  by Vyacheslav A. Kopotkov, Denis V. Korchagin, Valentina D. Sasnovskaya, Ildar F. Gilmutdinov and Eduard B. Yagubskii
  Magnetochemistry 2019, 5(4), 58; doi:10.3390/magnetochemistry5040058
• “Magnetic Janus Particles for Static and Dynamic (Bio)Sensing”
  by Susana Campuzano, Maria Gamella, Verónica Serafín, María Pedrero, Paloma Yáñez-Sedeño and José Manuel Pingarrón
  Magnetochemistry 2019, 5(3), 47; doi:10.3390/magnetochemistry5030047

Membranes:

• “Composite Membranes for High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells and Electrolysers: A Critical Review”
  by Xinwei Sun, Stian Christopher Simonsen, Truls Norby and Athanasios Chatzitakis
  Membranes 2019, 9(7), 83; doi:10.3390/membranes9070083

• “Transport Characteristics of Fujifilm Ion-Exchange Membranes as Compared to Homogeneous Membranes AMX and CMX and to Heterogeneous Membranes MK-40 and MA-41”
  by Veronika Sarapulova, Inna Shkorkina, Semyon Mareev, Natalia Pismenskaya, Natalia Kononenko, Christian Larchet, Lasaad Dammak and Victor Nikonenko
  Membranes 2019, 9(7), 84; doi:10.3390/membranes9070084

Nanomaterials:

• “Nanomaterials for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater”
  by Jinyue Yang, Baohong Hou, Jingkang Wang, Beiqian Tian, Jingtao Bi, Na Wang, Xin Li and Xin Huang
  Nanomaterials 2019, 9(3), 424; doi:10.3390/nano9030424
• “Injectable Alginate-Peptide Composite Hydrogel as a Scaffold for Bone Tissue Regeneration”
  Moumita Ghosh, Michal Halperin-Sternfeld, Itzhak Grinberg and Lihi Adler-Abramovich
  Nanomaterials 2019, 9(4), 497; doi:10.3390/nano9040497
• “Carbon Dots and Graphene Quantum Dots in Electrochemical Biosensing”
  by Susana Campuzano, Paloma Yáñez-Sedeño and José M. Pingarrón
  Nanomaterials 2019, 9(4), 634; doi:10.3390/nano9040634
• “A Smart Nanovector for Cancer Targeted Drug Delivery Based on Graphene Quantum Dots”
  by Daniela Iannazzo, Alessandro Pistone, Consuelo Celesti, Claudia Triolo, Salvatore Patané, Salvatore V. Giofré, Roberto Romeo, Ida Ziccarelli, Raffaella Mancuso, Bartolo Gabriele, Giuseppa Visalli, Alessio Facciolà and Angela Di Pietro
  Nanomaterials 2019, 9(2), 282; doi:10.3390/nano9020282
• “Evolution of Wearable Devices with Real-Time Disease Monitoring for Personalized Healthcare”
  by Kyeonghye Guk, Gaon Han, Jaewoo Lim, Keunwon Jeong, Taejoon Kang, Eun-Kyung Lim and Juyeon Jung
  Nanomaterials 2019, 9(6), 813; doi:10.3390/nano9060813
• “An Ultra-High-Energy Density Supercapacitor; Fabrication Based on Thiolfunctionalized Graphene”
  by Janardhanan. R. Rani, Ranjith Thangavel, Se-I Oh, Yun Sung Lee and Jae-Hyung Jang
  Nanomaterials 2019, 9(2), 148; doi:10.3390/nano9020148

Polymers:

• “The Relationships between the Working Fluids, Process Characteristics and Products from the Modified Coaxial Electrospinning of Zein”
  by Menglong Wang, Tao Hai, Zhangbin Feng, Deng-Guang Yu, Yaoyao Yang and SW Annie Bligh 
  Polymers 2019, 11(8), 1287; doi:10.3390/polym11081287
• “Design of Controlled Release System for Paracetamol Based on Modified Lignin”
  by Mahboubeh Pishnamazi, Hamid Hafizi, Saeed Shirazian, Mario Culebras, Gavin M. Walker and Maurice N. Collins 
  Polymers 2019, 11(6), 1059; doi:10.3390/polym11061059
• “Additive Manufacturing of PLA-Based Composites Using Fused Filament Fabrication: Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelet Reinforcement on Mechanical Properties, Dimensional Accuracy and Texture”
  by Miguel Ángel Caminero, Jesús Miguel Chacón, Eustaquio García-Plaza, Pedro José Núñez, José María Reverte and Jean Paul Becar
  Polymers 2019, 11(5), 799; doi:10.3390/polym11050799
• “Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Manufacturing, Properties, and Applications”
  by Miguel Ángel Caminero, Jesús Miguel Chacón, ,Eustaquio García-Plaza, Pedro José Núñez, José María Reverte and Jean Paul Becar
  Polymers 2019, 11(10), 1667; doi:10.3390/polym11101667 

We are proud to recognize the winners of MDPI’s 2021 Travel Awards in the “Chemistry & Materials Sciences” category for their outstanding presentations.

MDPI journals regularly offer travel awards to encourage talented junior scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences in specific fields, which helps to increase their influence.

The winners mentioned below were carefully selected by the journal editors based on an outline of their research and the work to be presented at an academic conference.

We would like to warmly congratulate the winners of Travel Awards for the year 2021 and wish them the greatest success with their future research endeavors.

MDPI will continue to enhance communication among scientists.

Crystals:

• Gaojun Mao, Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland
• Lidia Bofill Herrera, University of Barcelona, Spain

Gels:

• Demetra Giuri, University of Bologna, Italy
• Martina Genta, Imperial College London, UK

Journal of Functional Biomaterials:

• Anushree Seth, Washington University, USA

Magnetochemistry:

• Fabio Ferreira, University of Coimbra, Portugal
• Giulia Serrano, University of Florence, Italy

Materials：

• Giulia Fredi, University of Trento, Italy
• Mattia Biesuz, Czech Academy of Science, Czech Republic

Metals:

• Adriana Eres-Castellanos, Spanish National Center for Metallurgical Research, Spain
• Pavel Shurkin, National University of Science and Technology, Russia

Nanomaterials:

• Aleksandrs Leitis, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, France
• Ekaterina Kolesova, ITMO, Russia

Separations:

• Christoph Gstoettner, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands

The 2021 citation metrics have been officially released in Scopus!

We are pleased to announce that 182 MDPI journals are included, of which:

● 21 journals received their first CiteScore.
● 85% of journals increased their CiteScore from 2020.
● 155 journals (85%) ranked above average, in at least one category.

The following 65 MDPI journals (36%) ranked among the top 25% of journals, in at least one category:

Source: 2021 CiteScores™ (Elsevier)

We are pleased to share with you a successful recent Special Issue published in open access journal Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049): “A Themed Issue Dedicated to Professor John B. Goodenough on the Occasion of His 100th Birthday Anniversary” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/molecules_Professor_John_Goodenough).

This Special Issue is dedicated to Professor John B. Goodenough, who won the 2019 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his work on developing lithium-ion batteries. A total of 16 papers were published in this Special Issue, which you can access and download for free. They are as follows:

1. “John B. Goodenough’s Role in Solid State Chemistry Community: A Thrilling Scientific Tale Told by a French Chemist”
Michel Pouchard
Molecules 2020, 25(24), 6040; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25246040
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/24/6040

2. “Spin Exchanges between Transition Metal Ions Governed by the Ligand p-Orbitals in Their Magnetic Orbitals”
Myung-Hwan Whangbo et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(3), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030531
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/3/531

3. “Spin Hamiltonians in Magnets: Theories and Computations”
Hongjun Xiang et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(4), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26040803
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/4/803

4. “Towards Reversible High-Voltage Multi-Electron Reactions in Alkali-Ion Batteries Using Vanadium Phosphate Positive Electrode Materials”
Laurence Croguennec et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(5), 1428; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051428
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/5/1428

5. “The Fascinating World of Low-Dimensional Quantum Spin Systems: Ab Initio Modeling”
Tanusri Saha-Dasgupta
Molecules 2021, 26(6), 1522; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061522
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/6/1522

6. “Insights into Layered Oxide Cathodes for Rechargeable Batteries”
Gerbrand Ceder et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(11), 3173; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113173
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/11/3173

7. “Electronic and Magnetic Structures of New Interstitial Boron Sub-Oxides B₁₂O₂:X (X = B, C, N, O)”
Samir F. Matar et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(1), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26010123
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/1/123

8. “A Bifunctional Hybrid Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reactions: Nano-Co₃O₄-Deposited La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ via Infiltration”
Arumugam Manthiram et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(2), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26020277
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/2/277

9. “Syntheses and Characterization of Novel Perovskite-Type LaScO₃-Based Lithium Ionic Conductors”
Ryoji Kanno et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(2), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26020299
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/2/299

10. “WO₃ Nanowire/Carbon Nanotube Interlayer as a Chemical Adsorption Mediator for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries”
Yang-Kook Sun et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(2), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26020377
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/2/377

11. “Unusual Spin Exchanges Mediated by the Molecular Anion P₂S₆⁴⁻: Theoretical Analyses of the Magnetic Ground States, Magnetic Anisotropy and Spin Exchanges of MPS₃ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni)”
Myung-Hwan Whangbo et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(5), 1410; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051410
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/5/1410

12. “Fast Li-Ion Conduction in Spinel-Structured Solids”
Jan L. Allen et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2625; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092625
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/9/2625

13. “Electrochemical Assessment of Indigo Carmine Dye in Lithium Metal Polymer Technology”
Philippe Poizot et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(11), 3079; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113079
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/11/3079

14. “Defect Engineering and Anisotropic Modulation of Ionic Transport in Perovskite Solid Electrolyte Li_xLa_(1−x)/3NbO₃”
Yuichi Ikuhara
Molecules 2021, 26(12), 3559; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26123559
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/12/3559

15. “High-Voltage Polyanion Positive Electrode Materials”
Atsuo Yamada
Molecules 2021, 26(17), 5143; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26175143
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/17/5143

16. “In Honor of John Bannister Goodenough, an Outstanding Visionary”
Myung-Hwan Whangbo et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(21), 6624; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26216624
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/21/6624

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Yi Tang has been appointed Associate Editor of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049).

Name: Prof. Dr. Yi Tang
Affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
Interests: zeolite catalysis and nanomaterials for energy conversion and fine chemicals production

Prof. Dr. Yi Tang received his B.S. in 1985 and Ph.D. in 1990 at the Fudan University under the supervision of Prof. Zi Gao. He then became a Lecturer (1990), Associate Professor (1993), and eventually Full Professor (1997) at the Department of Chemistry at Fudan University and chaired the Department of Chemistry at Fudan University from 2006 to 2015. He has carried out research in the fields of zeolite, mesoporous material, superacid, layered phosphate, metal non-oxide, and so on for applications in catalysis, electrocatalysis, biomaterials, and others. His main research interests in recent years have been the synthesis and application of zeolitic materials and nanomaterials on catalytic and electrocatalytic conversion of petroleum, biomass, plastics, and hydrogen generation from water splitting, etc.

We warmly welcome Prof. Dr. Yi Tang to the Editorial Board of Molecules. We wish him every success in his new position and look forward to his contributions to the journal.

1. “Potential Therapeutic Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Dihydroflavones, Flavones, and Flavonols”
Cristina Zaragozá et al.
Molecules 2020, 25(4), 1017; 10.3390/molecules25041017
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/4/1017 

2. “Recent Developments in Chitosan-Based Adsorbents for the Removal of Pollutants from Aqueous Environments”
Daniele C. da Silva Alves et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(3), 594; 10.3390/molecules26030594
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/3/594

3. “Green Silver and Gold Nanoparticles: Biological Synthesis Approaches and Potentials for Biomedical Applications”
Andrea Rónavári et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(4), 844; 10.3390/molecules26040844
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/4/844

4. “3-(6-Phenylimidazo [2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-1H-Indole Derivatives as New Anticancer Agents in the Treatment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma”
Stella Cascioferro et al.
Molecules 2020, 25(2), 329; 10.3390/molecules25020329
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/2/329

5. “Highly Bioavailable Forms of Curcumin and Promising Avenues for Curcumin-Based Research and Application: A Review”
Sidney J. Stohs et al.
Molecules 2020, 25(6), 1397; 10.3390/molecules25061397
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/6/1397

6. “Paper-Based Oil Barrier Packaging using Lignin-Containing Cellulose Nanofibrils”
Ali H. Tayeb et al.
Molecules 2020, 25(6), 1344; 10.3390/molecules25061344
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/6/1344

7. “New Phosphine Oxides as High Performance Near- UV Type I Photoinitiators of Radical Polymerization”
Céline Dietlin et al.
Molecules 2020, 25(7), 1671; 10.3390/molecules25071671
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/7/1671

8. “Catechol-Containing Schiff Bases on Thiacalixarene: Synthesis, Copper (II) Recognition, and Formation of Organic-Inorganic Copper-Based Materials”
Pavel Padnya et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(8), 2334; 10.3390/molecules26082334
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/8/2334

9. “Actuating Shape Memory Polymer for Thermoresponsive Soft Robotic Gripper and Programmable Materials”
Dennis Schönfeld et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(3), 522; 10.3390/molecules26030522
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/3/522

10. “Using a B-Phycoerythrin Extract as a Natural Colorant: Application in Milk-Based Products”
Ana Belén García et al.
Molecules 2021, 26(2), 297; 10.3390/molecules26020297
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/2/297

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative—the 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 Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049), 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 Molecules Editorial Office (molecules@mdpi.com), and we will discuss the process (i.e., mentor collaboration, Special Issue topic feasibility analysis, etc.) in further detail.

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

Molecules Editorial Office

Name: Jianzhang Zhao

Affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China

Research Keywords: charge separation; electron transfer; energy transfer; intersystem crossing; triplet state

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Jianzhang Zhao has been appointed Associate Section Editor-in-Chief of the “Photochemistry” Section of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049).

Prof. Dr. Jianzhang Zhao received his Ph.D. in 2000 at the Jilin University. He then moved to the Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) to carry out postdoctoral research under the supervision of Prof. Kimoon Kim. In 2001, he moved to the Max-Planck Research Unit of Enzymology of Protein Folding at Halle (Saale), Germany. He worked on the photochemistry of peptides (photo-switching of the conformation of peptides) with Prof. Gunter Fischer. In 2003, he moved to the Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, to carry out another postdoctoral research project, working on enantioselective fluorescent chemosensors with Prof. Tony D. James. In 2005, Jianzhang Zhao joined the Dalian University of Technology as a Full Professor. His main research interests are the photochemistry and photophysics of organic compounds, focused on intersystem crossing (ISC) and triplet excited state-related properties. The research in his group is based on synthetic chemistry, steady-state and time-resolved transient optical spectroscopy, and time-resolved electron paramagnetic spectroscopy (TREPR), as well as theoretical computations. Electron transfer, energy transfer, and electron spin dynamics (ESP) of organic compounds are the main subjects of interest for the group.

We warmly welcome Prof. Dr. Jianzhang Zhao in his role as Associate Section Editor-in-Chief, and we look forward to him leading Molecules to achieving more milestones.