Announcements

MDPI will be attending the 50th International Micro and Nano Engineering Conference (MNE 2024) held in Montpellier, France, from 16 to 19 September 2024.

The scientific topics of the conference cover all the domains impacted by micro/nano engineering activities:

• T1 – METHODS and PROCESS: micro/nano fabrication methods and processes;
• T2 – STRUCTURES and DEVICES: fabrication and integration of micro/nano structures and devices;
• T3 – SYSTEMS: micro/nano systems for computing, communication, sensing and quantum applications;
• T4 – BIO: micro/nano engineering for life and analytical sciences;
• T5 (New) – SUSTAINABILITY: energy efficiency of micro/nano engineering and environmental and ecological applications.

The MNE conference is the flagship event of the International Society for Micro- and Nanotechnology (iMNEs). It has always been the leading international conference for micro- and nano-fabrication, manufacturing techniques and applications of the fabricated micro/nanostructures, devices and microsystems in electronics, photonics, energy, environment, chemistry and life sciences. The MNE brings together researchers and experts from all over the world to meet and discuss the latest research results and their applications. Furthermore, the conference aims to promote, involve and train young talent in the field of micro and nano engineering.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Micromachines;
• Nanomaterials;
• Fibers;
• Applied Nano;
• Micro;
• Eng;
• Technologies;
• Sensors;
• Machines;
• Bioengineering;
• Applied science;
• Nanomanufacturing;
• JETA.

If you plan on attending this conference, feel free to stop by our booth at #42. 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://mne2024.imnes.org/.

MDPI is pleased to announce the inclusion of 237 journals in the 2024 release of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and share the key results (see above).

This year, journals covered in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) received category ranks together with journals in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Overall, 139 MDPI journals indexed in ESCI are included in the new unified rankings for the first time.

Enhanced Comparability of Data

According to Clarivate, "the creation of unified category rankings [provides] a simpler and more complete category view for the evaluation of journal performance. [...] The category-first approach simplifies journal performance assessment with a holistic view of all journals in each subject category."

We are thrilled to announce that 72% of our ranked MDPI journals (171 of 237) are above average, in Q1 or Q2. Twenty-nine of our journals received their first Impact Factor this year, accounting for more than 5% of the journals accepted into the Web of Science last year.

MDPI Journals Ranked in JCR

The following data includes all MDPI journals indexed in SCIE, SSCI, ESCI and AHCI.

Source: 2023 Journal Impact Factors, Journal Citation Reports ^TM (Clarivate, 2024)

About MDPI

A pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. MDPI is leading the transition to open science by making more research free and accessible to everyone. Over 3.5 million researchers have entrusted MDPI with publishing their scientific discoveries. MDPI’s editorial process is bolstered by a network of dedicated reviewers, a team of 6000 professional, well-trained staff members, and an in-house article submission platform that was designed to ensure efficient processes within its 440 fully open access titles.

The China Materials Conference 2024 will be held from 8 to 11 July 2024 in Guangzhou, China. The conference was hosted by the Chinese Materials Research Society and co-hosted by the European Materials Research Society.

The areas of focus for the conference include the following:

• Energy materials;
• Environmental materials;
• Advanced structural materials;
• Functional materials;
• Material design, preparation and evaluation;
• Others.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Materials;
• Nanomaterials;
• Symmetry;
• Fibers;
• Coatings;
• Catalysts;
• Inorganics;
• Nanoenergy Advances;
• Membranes;
• Journal of Composites Science;
• Crystals;
• Gels;
• C;
• Metals;
• Ceramics;
• Alloys;
• Polymers.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you and answering any questions that you may have. Our booth number is #2258, located on the first floor of Baiyun International Hall Phase II.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://cmc2024.scimeeting.cn/cn/web/index/.

Conference: ACS Fall 2024
Organization: American Chemical Society
Date: 18–22 August 2024
Place: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
Booth ID: 1420

A variety of MDPI journals will be attending ACS Fall 2024 as exhibitors, an exciting event being held in Denver, USA, from 18 to 22 August 2024.

ACS Meetings & Expositions are where chemistry professionals meet to exchange ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. By attracting thousands of chemical professionals, the meetings provide excellent opportunities for peers to engage with each other and share their passion for chemistry, connecting with one of the world's largest scientific societies and helping to advance careers in this ever-changing global economy.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Molecules;
• Nanomaterials;
• Separations;
• Organics;
• Molbank;
• AppliedChem;
• Chemistry;
• Batteries;
• Fibers;
• Crystals;
• Polymers;
• Colorants;
• Analytica;
• Coatings;
• Symmetry;
• Liquids;
• Reactions.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us at our booth #1420. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to the Nanomaterials 2023 Young Investigator Award Ceremony, which will be held online at 10 a.m. CEST on 17 June 2024.

The Nanomaterials Young Investigator Award was established in 2018 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

The Award Committee selected the 2023 winners from a high number of highly qualified candidates based on the candidates’ academic background/potential, their research’s relevance to the topics covered by Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991), the innovative aspects of their research, and the strength of their references.

In this ceremony, we will have the opportunity to learn more about the two winners and listen to their presentations regarding their latest outstanding research achievements on the topic of “Advanced Materials for Energy Applications”.

The growing demand for sustainable and efficient energy solutions has propelled research and development in advanced materials, which play a crucial role in the transformation of energy technologies. These materials, designed at the atomic and molecular levels, offer innovative solutions to improve energy storage, conversion, and efficiency. Here, we explore some of the key advancements in materials science that are driving progress in energy applications.

I look forward to welcoming and “meeting” you online at the webinar!

Prof. Dr. Sotirios Baskoutas

Section Editor-in-Chief, Nanomaterials

Date: 17 June 2024 at 10.00 a.m. CEST | 4:00 a.m. EDT | 4:00 p.m. CST Asia

Webinar ID: 864 8497 3004

Nanomaterials 2023 Young Investigator Award

The Nanomaterials Young Investigator Award was established in 2018 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

The winners of the Nanomaterials 2023 Young Investigator Award were chosen by a selection committee chaired by the Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Shirley Chiang. Following a review process by the Award Evaluation Committee, three winners were selected.

The First Award will be presented to Dr. Robert Hoye, Associate Professor of Materials Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, UK. His main research is focused on the use of optoelectronic nanomaterials for renewable energy applications, including photovoltaic, LEDs, energy harvesting, and photocatalysis.

The Second Awards will be presented to Dr. Deblina Sarkar and Dr. Zhen Wen. Dr. Deblina Sarkar is an Assistant Professor at the MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. Her research interests involve integrating nanomaterials, applied physics, and biology to develop nano-electronic devices for sustainable Artificial Intelligence, exploring their integration with biological systems to transform healthcare.

Dr. Zhen Wen is a Full Professor at the Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, China. His research focuses on nanomaterials and nanogenerators for micro-nano devices, encompassing flexible energy harvesting, energy storage devices, smart sensors, and selfpowered sensing systems.

More information can be read here: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nanomaterials/awards/2242.

Register now for free!

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

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

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Sotirios Baskoutas (Chair), Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, Patras, Greece;
• Zhen Wen, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials, Soochow University, Jiangsu, China;
• Robert Hoye, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

On UNESCO’s 2024 Oceans Day, MDPI encourages the scientific community to increase the accessibility of ocean research to accelerate ocean conservation.

Basel, Switzerland, June 7, 2024: MDPI, a leading open access (OA) publisher, is proud to announce its active support for World Oceans Day 2024, celebrated under UNESCO’s Ocean Decade framework. MDPI’s CEO, Stefan Tochev hopes that “the latest ocean research can be made freely accessible to help empower scientists and communities at large to save our oceans,” under UNESCO’s Ocean Decade until 2030.

Open Access: A Catalyst for Ocean Action

MDPI’s presence at the UNESCO Ocean Decade Conference 2024 highlights our unwavering commitment to using OA to advance ocean science, support research communities, and promote sustainable ocean management.

"Our involvement in the UNESCO Ocean Decade Conference underscores MDPI's commitment to the underfunded Ocean SDG. By promoting OA to scientific articles and books on SDGs, we aim to inspire critical actions," said Tochev. "Our initiatives, like the World Sustainability Award and Emerging Sustainability Award, further demonstrate our dedication to advancing sustainability.”

Showcasing MDPI’s Contributions to Ocean Research

Over the past three years, MDPI has published 30,000 papers focused on ocean research and related topics. Key MDPI journals contributing to this body of work include:

• Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (4.9k papers)
• Remote Sensing (2.6k papers)
• Sustainability (2k papers)
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) (1.7k papers)
• Marine Drugs (1.5k papers)
• Water (1.5k papers)

These publications highlight MDPI’s contributions to ocean science, reinforcing our role in the broader sustainability agenda by promoting blue innovation and economy.

Additionally, MDPI has launched Oceans, an international, peer-reviewed forum specifically aimed at publishing studies related to all branches of oceanography with an emphasis on the functioning of the ocean and the sustainable use of its resources and ecosystem services.

Affirming MDPI’s Commitment to Ocean Science

MDPI’s commitment to OA is pivotal in addressing critical global challenges, from climate change to ocean sustainability. Our efforts resonate with Outcome 4 of the UNESCO Ocean Decade action roadmap: an accessible ocean with open and equitable access to data, information, technology, and innovation. By aligning with UNESCO’s goals, MDPI continues to contribute to shaping a sustainable future for our oceans, reinforcing our position as a forward-thinking publisher dedicated to environmental stewardship and scientific excellence.

For more information, contact Rui Duarte at rui.duarte@mdpi.com or +41764313242.

About MDPI

We are pleased to inform you that Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991) has received a heightened CiteScore of 8.5.

CiteScore provides transparent metrics that enable well-informed publishing strategies, library collection development, and the benchmarking of journal performance. It is now a standard citation metric alongside SNIP and SJR that gives an up-to-date view of a journal’s impact.

The 2023 CiteScore provides an assessment of the scientific influence of journals in the 2020 to 2023 period.

This is a reflection of the excellent performance, support, and dedication of all journal editors, reviewers, authors, and readers.

Nanomaterials’s CiteScore ranks as follows:

• Q1 (44 out of 273) in the “General Chemical Engineering” category; 
• Q1 (93 out of 463) in the “General Materials Science” category.

For more journal statistics, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nanomaterials/stats.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the journal.

Nanomaterials Editorial Office

95% of authors rate MDPI’s publication process as excellent or good, setting a new benchmark in scientific publishing – reveals 2023 Annual Report. 

Basel, Switzerland, June 4, 2024: MDPI, the leading open access (OA) publisher, proudly announces the release of its 2023 Annual Report, detailing remarkable achievements and reaffirming its leadership in advancing OA publishing. In 2023, MDPI received 655,065 submissions, of which 285,244 articles were published. The company now commands a 17% market share in gold open access articles, with a median publication time of six weeks.

Stefan Tochev, MDPI's CEO, stated, "As a pioneer in open access publishing, MDPI has long been a game-changer in the scholarly community, serving millions of authors around the world to ensure the latest research is freely available. Reflecting on our incredible journey at MDPI, 2023 has been marked by growth in paper submissions, ambitious projects and initiatives aimed at improving our internal processes and delivering top-notch services to our scientists."

MDPI's 2023 Annual Report highlights several key achievements:

• 17% market share in gold open access articles across all disciplines.
• Record satisfaction rates: 95% of authors, 82% of reviewers, and 85% of guest editors.
• Enhanced editorial standards and feedback processes.
• Increased reach and impact with 54 new MDPI journal inclusions in Scopus, 29 in Web of Science, and 77 in DOAJ.

MDPI’s unwavering commitment to advancing OA has transformed the landscape of scholarly publishing, making high-quality research freely accessible to the global scientific community. The continuous improvement in our editorial standards and feedback processes underscores MDPI’s dedication to ensuring academic integrity and excellence.

Global Reach and Collaboration

MDPI’s global footprint continues to expand, with authors from diverse regions: 37% from Asia/Pacific, 36% from Europe, 15% from the Americas, and 12% from other parts of the world. The company’s fully OA platform attracted nearly 14 million monthly visitors in 2023, reflecting its widespread influence in the scientific community.

Commitment to Partnerships

With over 800 institutional partners, MDPI continues to demonstrate its dedication to providing reliable and collaborative publishing services. The introduction of a transparent flat-fee model highlights MDPI's ongoing efforts to enhance affordability and support to the academic community. For more details read our 2023 Annual Report.

For more information, contact Rui Duarte at rui.duarte@mdpi.com or +41764313242.

About MDPI

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Zhan’ao Tan has been appointed Associate Editor of the Section “Solar Energy and Solar Cells” in Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991). With an extensive background in scientific research and publishing, he will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role.

Name: Zhan’ao Tan
Affiliation: Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Interests: materials and devices for novel thin film solar cells (polymer solar cells and perovskite solar cells); materials and devices for novel light-emitting diodes (quantum dots light-emitting diodes, perovskite light-emitting diodes, and carbon dots light-emitting diodes); materials and devices for energy storage (organic redox flow batteries)
Website: https://en-baicsm.buct.edu.cn/2019/0703/c807a22296/page.htm

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Zhan’ao Tan, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area:

1. You have conducted a substantial amount of fundamental scientific research in the field of organic optoelectronic materials and devices. What do you think are the imminent bottlenecks that need to be overcome for these technologies to move from laboratory experiments to industrial applications?
Organic optoelectronic materials and devices represent an emerging research field formed at the intersection of disciplines such as chemistry, physics, materials science, and information electronic science. In particular, organic optoelectronic materials constructed with organic conjugated molecules, colloidal quantum dots, and organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites exemplify potential applications in various areas such as novel flat panel displays, solid-state lighting, new energy sources, photochemistry, high-density information transmission, and storage devices. These materials manifest a wide range of application prospects and have garnered close attention from both academic and industrial communities.
For instance, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) exhibit advantages such as active luminescence, rich color rendering, full solid state, and feasibility for flexible displays, which makes them considered as one of the most promising new flat panel display technologies. These OLEDs have gradually been implemented in large-scale production globally. Additionally, organic and perovskite solar cells are low in cost, simple in fabrication, and easily scalable to large-area devices, showcasing significant potential as a renewable energy technology with their photovoltaic conversion efficiencies approaching practical requirements.
However, organic optoelectronic devices still face a number of pending issues concerning materials, efficiency, lifespan, color rendering, large dimensions, flexibility, encapsulation, and production processes, which to a certain extent hinder the industrial development of organic optoelectronic devices. Therefore, future research directions will revolve around materials, devices, and mechanisms, forming a complete R&D chain encompassing “material design synthesis–high-performance device fabrication–device physical mechanism–technological dissemination and application”, aimed at breaking through key technologies such as large-area, flexible, and batch production processes, thus realizing the industrial application of research achievements.

2. With over 250 SCI-indexed papers published in international journals and more than 15,000 citations, how do you maintain innovation and consistently produce high-quality papers in academic research?
In my view, maintaining innovation and continuous high-quality output first requires a comprehensive understanding of the research field. This involves extensively reading the latest literature and classic works in the relevant field, participating in academic seminars, and engaging in discussions with scholars to swiftly grasp the latest research advancements in the field. Secondly, it entails conducting a rational analysis of the current state of research, identifying its shortcomings and limitations, and pinpointing potential research directions and breakthroughs. Finally, it involves proposing new questions or hypotheses based on existing research and designing experiments or research methods to validate or explore these questions or hypotheses. Through the integration of theory and practice, in-depth analysis of research results, and the discovery of new issues, one can present novel insights.

3. What expectations and goals do you have in your role as Associate Editor of the “Solar Energy and Solar Cells” Section?
About two years after serving as a member of the Editorial Board of Nanomaterials, I received an invitation from the journal office to become the Section Associate Editor. Given our positive past collaborations on Special Issues and other journal management tasks, I am pleased to accept this new opportunity. I hope to use my more than 20 years of professional knowledge and experience to participate more in the establishment of journals and Sections, to capture research hot spots and trends in academia, and to ensure the high-quality development of journals.
Nanomaterials is an authoritative academic journal focusing on the field of nanomaterials research. The responsibility and importance of being the Associate Editor of the Section are self-evident. As a Section Associate Editor, I believe that the most important quality is to have keen academic insight, as well as excellent communication and organizational coordination skills. I will continue to learn and practice in this position to promote the development of the journal.

We warmly welcome our Associate Editor, Prof. Dr. Zhan’ao Tan, and wish the journal every success in the future.

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Liang Li has been appointed Associate Editor of the Section “Solar Energy and Solar Cells” in Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991). With an extensive background in scientific research and publishing, he will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role.

Name: Liang Li
Affiliation: School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, P. R. China
Interests: optoelectronic conversion materials and devices such as solar cells, photodetectors, and photoelectrochemical cells; electrochemical batteries, such as Li- and Na- ion batteries; preparation of thin films utilizing atomic layer deposition, magnetron sputtering, etc.
Website: https://ecs.suda.edu.cn/1d/12/c30958a531730/page.htm

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Liang Li, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area:

1. Could you briefly introduce your current research direction and its main content?
Our team's research primarily focuses on optoelectronic conversion, energy materials, and devices, encompassing specifics such as photoelectric detection, solar (photochemical) cells, and energy storage devices.

2. We noticed that your research experience is quite extensive. What pivotal moments led to your choices of different research institutions and countries?
My research journey has indeed spanned across multiple countries and research institutions. Each pivotal moment has been accompanied by new opportunities and challenges. After obtaining my doctoral degree in 2006 from the Institute of Solid State Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, I pursued postdoctoral research at the National University of Singapore, Singapore, mainly due to the complementary nature of the research focus with my doctoral work, which centered on the electrochemical corrosion method for structured nano-array thin film fabrication. Subsequently, I moved to Japan, conducting postdoctoral research at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and the National Institute for Materials Science, focusing on the micro/nano-fabrication and physical property characterization of nanostructured photoelectric detection devices. Finally, I concluded my postdoctoral research in Canada at the University of Western Ontario, working on the development of novel energy storage devices based on nanomaterials. Throughout these experiences, I accumulated rich research expertise, particularly gaining exposure to various research fields and scientific cultures in different countries, providing a strong foundation for my independent work as a principal investigator (PI) upon returning to China.

3. Do you have any advice or guiding principles for young scholars aspiring to engage in similar research pursuits and strive for excellence?
Firstly, maintaining a love for research and nurturing curiosity is of utmost importance. The path of research is full of challenges, demanding continuous exploration and innovation. Secondly, it's crucial to build a solid foundation and master the fundamental knowledge and experimental skills relevant to the field. Additionally, engaging in international conferences and academic exchanges broadens one’s horizons and offers access to the latest research trends. Lastly, perseverance and patience are essential. Research requires prolonged dedication and effort, it's not a path for quick victories.

4. What was it like to serve as an Associate Editor for the “Solar Energy and Solar Cells” Section? What are your expectations and goals in this role?
Serving as an Associate Editor has been a valuable experience, providing me with the opportunity to stay abreast of the latest research developments in the field, as well as participate in the paper review and decision-making process. My goal is to help enhance the journal's international influence and drive research advancements in the field of new energy. I look forward to being more involved in the selection and recommendation of outstanding papers, fostering academic exchange and collaboration.

5. As the Associate Editor of the “Solar Energy and Solar Cells” Section, what insights do you have regarding the latest developments and future trends in this field?
In recent years, solar cell technology has rapidly advanced, with perovskite solar cells continuously achieving breakthrough efficiencies, making it a research hotspot. Moving forward, stability and commercial applications will be its primary development focus. Furthermore, the integration of photovoltaic technology with other energy technologies, such as photoelectrocatalysis and energy storage, will also emerge as an important developmental trend.

We warmly welcome our Associate Editor, Prof. Dr. Liang Li, and wish the journal every success in the future.