Announcements
17 February 2025
MDPI Celebrates Excellence in Medical Research with Early Career Researcher Awards
MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Singapore, proudly announce the successful conclusion of the first edition the MDPI Early Career Researcher Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to medical and biomedical research, were presented to six exceptional researchers during an awards ceremony held at LKCMedicine HQ Building on 28 November 2024.
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Honoring Excellence in Research
The awards recognize exceptional postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. students who have demonstrated outstanding originality, innovation, and impact in their respective fields. We are honored to announce the winners of the 2024 edition:
Early Career Researcher (Postdoc) Award:
- Dr. Theresia Handayani Mina, “Adiposity and Metabolic Health in Asian Populations: An Epidemiological Study Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Singapore”;
- Dr. Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, “Wound Healing Improvement by Novel Aligned Antimicrobial Nanofibrous 3D Scaffolds”;
- Dr. Yadollah Ranjbar Slamloo, “Functional Alterations of The Prefrontal Circuit Underlying Cognitive Aging in Mice”.
Early Career Researcher (Ph.D.) Award:
- Pritisha Rozario, “Mechanistic Basis for Potassium Efflux-Driven Activation of the Human NLRP1 Inflammasome”;
- Michelle Law Cheok Yien, “Chikungunya Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 is a Versatile RNA Capping and Decapping Enzyme”;
- Yin Ruoyu, “The Use of Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Tools in Older Adults: A Mixed Method Study”.
Our collaboration highlights a shared commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and research within the academic community, addressing today’s healthcare challenges, and inspiring continued innovation.
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Looking Ahead to 2025
Building on the success of the first edition, MDPI and LKCMedicine are excited to announce that the 2025 MDPI Early Researcher Awards will continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in medical research. The next edition promises to expand its scope, introducing new categories and providing even greater recognition for impactful research.
Further details on the 2025 awards, including nomination criteria and timelines, will be shared in the coming months. We remain committed to fostering a culture of research excellence and collaboration within the global scientific community.
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10 February 2025
International Day of Women and Girls in Science—“Building a Future for Women in Science”
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated annually on 11 February, highlights the vital role of women and girls in addressing prominent global challenges like climate change, public health, and sustainable development. The 2025 theme, “Building a Future for Women in Science”, emphasizes the need for greater gender equality in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to harness diverse talent and perspectives. Despite progress in education, a persistent gender gap limits female potential in these fields.
In recognition of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, MDPI reaffirms its commitment to fostering equity and inclusion in STEM fields. We celebrate the achievements of women in science and highlight their vital contributions to advancing knowledge and innovation. Through open access publishing, MDPI ensures that groundbreaking research, including topics on gender equity and women in STEM, is accessible to practitioners, policymakers, and global audiences. By sharing inspiring stories of women in science and curating relevant publications, MDPI aims to inspire positive action and collaboration to create a more inclusive and equitable scientific community. Together, we celebrate progress while striving for a future where women and girls are empowered to thrive in science and beyond.
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“How Important Are Labor-Market Gender Gaps in the South Caucasus?”
by Marc Teignier and David Cuberes
Economies 2024, 12(12), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/economies12120332
“Empowerment and Sustainability: Investigating Barriers to Women’s Transition from Higher Education to Empowerment in Brazil”
by Muhammad Qasim Rana, Angela Lee, José Fernando Rodrigues Bezerra and Guilherme Hissa Villas Boas
Societies 2024, 14(11), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14110234
“Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Postpartum Experiences of Racialised Brazilian Women in Portugal: An Analysis of Obstetric Violence as Gender-Based Violence”
by Mariana Holanda Rusu, Conceição Nogueira and Joana Topa
Sexes 2024, 5(4), 611-637; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes5040040
“In Their Own Words: Muslim Women Reconstruct the Sexual Script”
by Jennifer Lara Fagen
Sexes 2024, 5(4), 638-651; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes5040041
“Liposomes and Their Therapeutic Applications in Enhancing Psoriasis and Breast Cancer Treatments”
by Amal Ali Elkordy, David Hill, Mohamed Attia and Cheng Shu Chaw
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(21), 1760; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14211760
“Gender Typicality and Engineering Attachment: Examining the Viewpoints of Women College Engineers and Variation by Race/Ethnicity”
by Ursula Nguyen and Catherine Riegle-Crumb
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070573
“Epistemic Uncertainty, Social Dominance Orientation, and Prejudices toward Women in Leadership Roles: Mediation and Moderation Analyses”
by Federico Contu, Antonio Aiello and Antonio Pierro
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13010054
“Peptides Targeting HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells and Applications in Tumor Imaging and Delivery of Chemotherapeutics”
by Palmira Alessia Cavallaro, Marzia De Santo, Emilia Lucia Belsito, Camilla Longobucco, Manuela Curcio, Catia Morelli, Luigi Pasqua and Antonella Leggio
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(17), 2476; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13172476
“Sources of Wellbeing Amongst Saudi Arabian Women Academic Leaders: An Explorative Study”
by Rasis Alanazi and Claire Alkouatli
Societies 2023, 13(4), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13040088
“Investigating the Status of Women Engineers in Education and Employment during the COVID-19 Pandemic”
by Seema Singh
Challenges 2022, 13(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe13010027
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“Sexual Double Standard: Prejudice in Gender and Sexual Orientation” |
“Gender-Inclusive Education and Teaching in STEM: Strategies, Challenges, and Contradictions” |
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5 February 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #20 - Beijing, Singapore, Bangkok, JAMS, Jisc
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
2024 Annual Meeting – Beijing (15 January 2025)
You haven’t truly experienced a New Year’s celebration until you’ve attended one of MDPI’s Chinese Annual Meeting festivities. This year I visited our annual meeting in Beijing, held on the 15th of January.
Imagine this: stepping into a banquet hall filled with 140 tables and about 1,400 colleagues from our Beijing offices, all gathered to share in a six-hour event. The agenda included year-end speeches and presentations, a variety of performances by our colleagues, a selection of awards honouring local employees for their work, group photos for the memories, and a dinner.
This may have been one of the largest events I have attended. For those unaccustomed to such an event, it might seem overwhelming, but it was quite the opposite. The atmosphere was one of celebration as everyone came together to support their peers and celebrate the achievements of 2024.
I was honoured to deliver the opening speech and a presentation highlighting our growth and investment in MDPI’s most valuable asset: our people.
“Our editorial teams represent MDPI at its finest”
I want to give special recognition to the editorial department, across all of our offices, which forms the heart of our business. These teams are the frontline communicators with our authors, reviewers, and guest editors, creating a smooth experience of processing our manuscripts. Their professionalism and kindness are often highlighted as key drivers of satisfaction with MDPI. For this, I extend my deepest gratitude to all our editorial staff, across every office. They truly represent MDPI at its finest.
Beijing is home to two of our offices, with just over 800 employees in Tongzhou and over 600 in Haidian. Thank you to our administrative teams and everyone involved in organizing these New Year’s celebrations across all offices. These events provide a moment to reflect on our shared accomplishments and appreciate the positive impact each of you has on our culture.
MDPI Offices in China
While the history of MDPI begins in Basel, Switzerland, the story of MDPI is very much rooted in China. Below is a list of MDPI’s current offices in China and their respective dates of inauguration:
- 2008: Beijing (Tongzhou, Haidian)
- 2013: Wuhan (Hankou, Guanggu)
- 2019: Tianjin
- 2021: Dalian
- 2021: Nanjing
To date, over 381,000 MDPI research articles have been published by authors affiliated with Chinese institutions, making China our largest market. This is reflected not only in the volume of publications but also in the scale of our workforce supporting local operations and contributing to global success.
While no new offices in China were launched between 2022 and 2024 due to the pandemic and strategic planning, we remain committed to future growth here. Our plans include expanding operations as we continue to build our global workforce.
We look forward to a year filled with continued collaboration, growth, and shared success.
“We remain committed to future growth in China”
Impactful Research
MDPI and Jisc Consortium Extend Open Access Agreement for 2025
I’m pleased to share that MDPI has extended its agreement with the Jisc consortium in the UK for 2025. This renewal strengthens our partnership with UK institutions and reaffirms our shared commitment to advancing open access publishing.
Jisc is the UK’s not-for-profit digital, data, and technology agency supporting tertiary education, research, and innovation. Through initiatives such as our agreement, Jisc helps institutions access essential digital resources and infrastructure to support researchers. Currently, 62 UK institutions are part of our Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) through this partnership.
Authors from participating institutions benefit from discounts on article processing charges (APCs), with even greater support for institutions that centrally fund APCs. This helps researchers focus on their work while simplifying the publishing process.
A full list of participating institutions can be found here.
As Becky Castellon, our Institutional Partnerships Manager, puts it: “Extending our agreement with Jisc is a reward for the strong partnership we’ve built with research institutions throughout the UK.”
At MDPI, we are dedicated to making research more accessible while reducing administrative burdens for institutions and authors. Open access publishing is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to expand its reach in the UK and beyond.
Inside MDPI
Visit to MDPI's Singapore office
During my January trip to some of our APAC offices, I also had the pleasure of visiting our Singapore office for the first time. It’s exciting to see how much the team has grown, now numbering over 55 staff members, with more joining us in February.
Welcoming and Supporting New Team Members
“Experienced staff play an important role in mentoring new hires”
I had the opportunity to connect with both experienced colleagues and new team members who are currently embarking on their careers. This visit reminded me of what it was like when I was in their shoes. I encourage all of us to engage new colleagues with empathy, as we have all been in their position. By creating a welcoming and supportive environment, we can help them settle in and learn about the corporate world, MDPI and our mission.
Experienced staff play an important role in mentoring and guiding new hires, most of whom are transitioning from academia to their first job. I’m especially grateful to colleagues such as Colin Chen, Alicia Ren, Yu Nwe Soe, Colin Wee, Amy Cham and other senior members who have contributed to shaping the culture and work environment in Singapore.
Building MDPI’s Positive Reputation
During my visit, I spoke with the office staff about the importance of their roles in building a positive reputation that helps create trust in MDPI. I shared how every interaction and communication point contributes to the marketing of MDPI and our journals. I also highlighted the career development opportunities available as MDPI continues to grow.
Connecting with the Singapore Marketing Team
I also spent time connecting directly with the Singapore Marketing team, which has quickly grown to 15 young and ambitious members. They are eager to learn and are actively contributing to our journal and corporate marketing activities. I shared insights into our corporate marketing structure and strategy and look forward to supporting them as they grow.
During the visit, I was joined by my colleague Dr. Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, who provided training on indexing. This training was greatly appreciated by the local staff.
Meeting with Prof. Dr. Manoj Gupta
Lastly, we had the privilege of meeting Prof. Dr. Manoj Gupta, Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of Technologies since 2016 and Section EiC of Metals.
Prof. Gupta is an active decision-maker for the journal and a great brand ambassador for MDPI.
Prof. Gupta has helped sustainably scale Technologies, which now has a 4.2 Impact Factor and a 6.7 CiteScore, ranking Q1 in the JCR category of Engineering and Q1 in the CiteScore category of Computer Science.
During our meeting, we discussed strategies for Institutional Open Access Partnership agreements and ways to promote MDPI journals in Singapore.
PS. During the visit, we also had the chance to participate in Lo Hei, also known as Yee Sang or the “prosperity toss.” This is a raw fish salad traditionally enjoyed during Chinese New Year and is particularly popular among Chinese communities in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Everyone gathers around the table as the ingredients are added one by one, and then the salad is mixed together. It was a fun experience to take part in this New Year tradition!
Coming Together for Science
JAMS – Journal & Article Management System
I am excited to announce the official relaunch of JAMS (Journal & Article Management System), one of MDPI’s key initiatives to support academic publishers worldwide.
With this relaunch, JAMS now offers new pricing models and flexible solutions for small-scale journals, commercial publishers, and university presses. We have also redesigned the JAMS website to enhance the user experience.
“JAMS is a testament to our commitment to simplifying the publishing process”
Explore the new website here: jams.pub
It’s also great to see the JAMS team expanding our presence at conferences and on social media to engage more effectively with the academic community.
Recently, Facundo Santomé (Senior Marketing Manager) and Alex Ramos (Senior Marketing Specialist) represented JAMS at the APE 2025 conference in Berlin, highlighting how our platform empowers small and independent publishers to streamline and scale their journal management.
JAMS was built to change that by adapting to the unique requirements of each publisher.
At MDPI, we continually invest in our growth – not only by expanding our operations and staff but also by developing innovative products that serve the academic and publishing community at large. JAMS, with its comprehensive suite of journal management tools, is a testament to our commitment to simplifying the publishing process for our partners.
Imagine a submission system that frees up your time for strategy, innovation, and impactful publishing.
Under the leadership of Silvano Bonfatti (Product Manager, MDPI), the JAMS team has conducted in-depth market research to understand the challenges publishers face: endless administrative tasks, inefficient workflows, and systems that don’t always meet their needs.
If you believe JAMS could benefit any of your network contacts, please share our website. Contact the JAMS team. They are always ready to assist with your publishing needs.
What Sets JAMS Apart?
- Scalability – Whether you're a niche journal or managing thousands of submissions, JAMS grows with you.
- End-to-End Workflow – From submission to peer review and final publication, everything is in one place.
- Automation That Works for You – Say goodbye to chasing reviewers and formatting issues, so that you can focus on quality instead.
- Built by Publishers, for Publishers – JAMS is backed by MDPI’s expertise; we know exactly what it takes to run a journal smoothly.
- Flexible & Fair Pricing – Supporting journals of all sizes, with special rates for non-profits and publishers in the Global South.
Partners Who Already Trust JAMS
If you believe JAMS could benefit any of your network contacts, please share our website. Contact the JAMS team. They are always ready to assist with your publishing needs.
Closing Thoughts
Visit to MDPI's Bangkok office
To conclude my APAC trip, I had the pleasure of visiting our Bangkok office from 22 to 24 January. The office has grown significantly, closing 2024 with a total of 445 colleagues across various departments, including Editorial, Production, Conference, Training, Journal Relationship Specialists (JRS), Managing Editors, and supporting teams in HR, Admin, IT, and Finance.
I would like to praise our Bangkok management team for their excellent work in supporting our growth and creating a positive work environment. Our colleagues here are humble, talented, hardworking, and appreciative of MDPI’s mission.
Thailand was among MDPI’s top 30 markets in 2024 for total publications. With our office in Bangkok, we have an opportunity to further promote open access while supporting local researchers and institutions. This includes open access discounts, author training sessions, conference sponsorships, and other initiatives. We currently have 25 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) from Thailand and will work on expanding this network.
Engaging with Group Leads
“Group leads play an important role in creating a safe, positive environment”
During my visit, I met with our group leads to highlight their crucial role in managing journal performance and mentoring new employees, especially given our increased hiring targets. Many new hires are early in their careers and require training, development, and support. Group leads play an important role in creating a safe, positive environment that fosters professional growth while maintaining MDPI’s reputation for service quality.
To wrap up the session, I added a personal touch by holding the door and giving everyone high-fives – a small gesture to show appreciation, boost morale, and strengthen team spirit. It’s important for our colleagues to feel seen, heard, and valued.
University Visit: King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB)
We also visited King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) to explore collaboration opportunities.
Our discussions focused on: Institutional Open Access Partnership (IOAP), Author training sessions, Conference sponsorships, Student employment initiatives, and more.
This visit reinforced the importance of building strong relationships with local universities, ensuring we continue to support and engage with the academic community in Thailand.
“My time in Bangkok was productive and inspiring”
My time in Bangkok was productive and inspiring. The senior team has done a great job in growing the office and creating a supportive, high-performing environment. I look forward to seeing continued success from our colleagues in Thailand.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
25 January 2025
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Nanomaterials in 2024
23 January 2025
International Day of Clean Energy—“Clean Energy for People and Planet”, 26 January 2025
We are excited to join the global community in celebrating International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January. This year’s theme, “Clean Energy for People and Planet”, highlights the urgent need to transition to sustainable, renewable energy sources to combat climate change and promote environmental resilience.
As part of the observance of this international day, we have curated a list of publications on topics related to clean energy to raise awareness about the importance of reducing reliance on fossil fuels, increasing energy efficiency, and ensuring equitable access to clean energy worldwide.
Although we still have ways to go to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030, this day also provides an opportunity to celebrate the progress made and inspire further action and greater responsibility towards ensuring a clean planet. Join us to celebrate the progress towards a cleaner planet and future.
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“The Role of Renewable Energy Sources and Industry 4.0 Focus for Africa: A Review”
by Kingsley Ukoba, Thokozani Justin Kunene, Pieter Harmse, Valantine Takwa Lukong and Tien Chien Jen
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 1074; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021074
“Simulation and Optimisation of Utility-Scale PV–Wind Systems with Pumped Hydro Storage”
by Rodolfo Dufo-López and Juan M. Lujano-Rojas
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 7033; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167033
“Renewable Electricity and Green Hydrogen Integration for Decarbonization of “Hard-to-Abate” Industrial Sectors”
by Alessandro Franco and Michele Rocca
Electricity 2024, 5(3), 471-490; https://doi.org/10.3390/electricity5030024
“Electric Vehicles Charged with Solar-PV: A Brazilian Case Study for 2030”
by Danilo da Costa and Vladimir Rafael Melian Cobas
Vehicles 2023, 5(4), 1743-1759; https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles5040095
“Life Cycle Assessment in Renewable Energy: Solar and Wind Perspectives”
by Francisco Portillo, Alfredo Alcayde, Rosa Maria Garcia, Manuel Fernandez-Ros, Jose Antonio Gazquez and Nuria Novas
Environments 2024, 11(7), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11070147
“Impact of PV and EV Forecasting in the Operation of a Microgrid”
by Giampaolo Manzolini, Andrea Fusco, Domenico Gioffrè, Silvana Matrone, Riccardo Ramaschi, Marios Saleptsis, Riccardo Simonetti, Filip Sobic, Michael James Wood, Emanuele Ogliari et al.
Forecasting 2024, 6(3), 591-615; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast6030032
“Floating Photovoltaics: A Review”
by Laura Essak and Aritra Ghosh
Clean Technol. 2022, 4(3), 752-769; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol4030046
“Forecasting Hydropower with Innovation Diffusion Models: A Cross-Country Analysis”
by Farooq Ahmad, Livio Finos and Mariangela Guidolin
Forecasting 2024, 6(4), 1045-1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast6040052
“Environmental Management and Decarbonization Nexus: A Pathway to the Energy Sector’s Sustainable Futures”
by Abdel-Mohsen O. Mohamed, Dina Mohamed, Adham Fayad and Moza T. Al Nahyan
World 2025, 6(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/world6010013
“Hardware-in-the-Loop Emulation of a SEPIC Multiplier Converter in a Photovoltaic System”
by Johnny Posada Contreras and Julio C. Rosas-Caro
Electricity 2024, 5(3), 426-448; https://doi.org/10.3390/electricity5030022
“Hydrogen Impact: A Review on Diffusibility, Embrittlement Mechanisms, and Characterization”
by Qidong Li, Hesamedin Ghadiani, Vahid Jalilvand, Tahrim Alam, Zoheir Farhat and Md. Aminul Islam
Materials 2024, 17(4), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040965
Special Issues:
| “Advances in New Sources of Energy and Fuels” | “Sustainability Assessment of Renewable Fuels Production” |
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| “Renewable Energy System Technologies: 2nd Edition” | “Clean and Renewable Hydrogen Fuel” |
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“Design of a Fuel Cell/Battery Hybrid Power System for a Micro Vehicle: Sizing Design and Hydrogen Storage Evaluation”
by Zayd Aslam, Adrian Felix, Christos Kalyvas and Mahmoud Chizari
Vehicles 2023, 5(4), 1570-1585; https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles5040085
“Recent Developments in Materials for Physical Hydrogen Storage: A Review”
by Thi Hoa Le, Minsoo P. Kim, Chan Ho Park and Quang Nhat Tran
Materials 2024, 17(3), 666; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030666
“Highly Stable and Enhanced Performance of p–i–n Perovskite Solar Cells via Cuprous Oxide Hole-Transport Layers”
by Tung-Han Chuang, Yin-Hung Chen, Shikha Sakalley, Wei-Chun Cheng, Choon Kit Chan, Chih-Ping Chen and Sheng-Chi Chen
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(8), 1363; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13081363
“Comprehensive Analysis of Parametric Effects on the Specific Heat Capacity of Pristine and Aged Lithium-Ion Cells”
by Luca Tendera, Gerrit Karl Mertin, Carlos Gonzalez, Dominik Wycisk, Alexander Fill and Kai Peter Birke
Energy Storage Appl. 2024, 1(1), 35-53; https://doi.org/10.3390/esa1010004
“Development of a Mechanical Vehicle Battery Module Simulation Model Combined with Short Circuit Detection”
by Klemens Jantscher, Heimo Kreimaier, Alem Miralem and Christoph Breitfuss
Energy Storage Appl. 2024, 1(1), 19-34; https://doi.org/10.3390/esa1010003
“Global Atlas of Marine Floating Solar PV Potential”
by David Firnando Silalahi and Andrew Blakers
Solar 2023, 3(3), 416-433; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar3030023
“An Assessment of Liquid Biofuel Value Chains from Heavy-Metal Contaminated Feedstock”
by Dimitrios Giannopoulos, Ilias Katsifis, Dimitrios Katsourinis, Athanasios Rentizelas and Maria Founti
Fuels 2022, 3(3), 509-532; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels3030031
“Review on Conductive Polymer Composites for Supercapacitor Applications”
by Melkie Getnet Tadesse, Abdella Simegnaw Ahmmed and Jörn Felix Lübben
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(2), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8020053
Special Issues:
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“A Brief Review of Hydrogen Production Methods and Their Challenges”
by Santanu Kumar Dash, Suprava Chakraborty and Devaraj Elangovan
Energies 2023, 16(3), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031141
“Analysis of PEM Water Electrolyzer Failure Due to Induced Hydrogen Crossover in Catalyst-Coated PFSA Membranes”
by Eveline Kuhnert, Mathias Heidinger, Daniel Sandu, Viktor Hacker and Merit Bodner
Membranes 2023, 13(3), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13030348
“Selective H2 Evolution and CO2 Absorption in Electrolysis of Ethanolamine Aqueous Solutions”
by Satoshi Fukada, Ryosuke Sakai, Makoto Oya and Kazunari Katayama
Separations 2023, 10(11), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10110578
“Critical Review of Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrogen Production Pathways”
by Manfredi Picciotto Maniscalco, Sonia Longo, Maurizio Cellura, Gabriele Miccichè and Marco Ferraro
Environments 2024, 11(6), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11060108
“A Comparative Analysis of Different Hydrogen Production Methods and Their Environmental Impact”
by Somtochukwu Godfrey Nnabuife, Caleb Kwasi Darko, Precious Chineze Obiako, Boyu Kuang, Xiaoxiao Sun and Karl Jenkins
Clean Technol. 2023, 5(4), 1344-1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol5040067
“Steam Reforming of Tar Impurities from Biomass Gasification with Ni-Co/Mg(Al)O Catalysts—Operating Parameter Effects”
by Ask Lysne, Ida Saxrud, Kristin Ø. Madsen and Edd A. Blekkan
Fuels 2024, 5(3), 458-475; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels5030025
“Synergistic Integration of Hydrogen Energy Economy with UK’s Sustainable Development Goals: A Holistic Approach to Enhancing Safety and Risk Mitigation”
by He Li, Mohammad Yazdi, Rosita Moradi, Reza Ghasemi Pirbalouti and Arman Nedjati
Fire 2023, 6(10), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6100391
Special Issues:
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“Electrodialysis Processes an Answer to Industrial Sustainability: Toward the Concept of Eco-Circular Economy?—A Review”
by Aurore Cournoyer and Laurent Bazinet
Membranes 2023, 13(2), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13020205
“Review on Modeling and SOC/SOH Estimation of Batteries for Automotive Applications”
by Pierpaolo Dini, Antonio Colicelli and Sergio Saponara
Batteries 2024, 10(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10010034
“Summary of Pretreatment of Waste Lithium-Ion Batteries and Recycling of Valuable Metal Materials: A Review”
by Linye Li, Yuzhang Li and Guoquan Zhang
Separations 2024, 11(7), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11070196
“Feasible Solutions for Low-Carbon Thermal Electricity Generation and Utilization in Oil-Rich Developing Countries: A Literature Review”
by Danny Ochoa-Correa, Paul Arévalo, Edisson Villa-Ávila, Juan L. Espinoza and Francisco Jurado
Fire 2024, 7(10), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7100344
“Evaluating Synergies between Electric Vehicles and Photovoltaics: A Comparative Study of Urban Environments”
by Renos Rotas, Petros Iliadis, Nikos Nikolopoulos and Ananias Tomboulides
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(9), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15090397
“An Overview of Renewable Energy Technologies in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and the Rural Households’ Energy Poverty Coping Strategies”
by Patrick Mukumba and Shylet Y. Chivanga
Challenges 2023, 14(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe14010019
“How Economic Growth Contributes to CO2 Emissions in the Presence of Globalization and Eco-Innovations in South Asian Countries?”
by Usman Mehmood, Salman Tariq, Zia Ul Haq, Muhammad Umar Aslam and Ali Imran
World 2023, 4(1), 202-213; https://doi.org/10.3390/world4010014
“Overview of Sustainable Mobility: The Role of Electric Vehicles in Energy Communities”
by Jozsef Menyhart
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(6), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15060275
“Experimental Characterization of Hydronic Air Coil Performance with Aluminum Oxide Nanofluids of Three Concentrations”
by Roy Strandberg, Dustin Ray and Debendra K. Das
Appl. Nano 2024, 5(2), 84-107; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano5020008
“A Review on Nano Ti-Based Oxides for Dark and Photocatalysis: From Photoinduced Processes to Bioimplant Applications”
by Christine Joy Querebillo
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(6), 982; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13060982
“Black TiO2 and Oxygen Vacancies: Unraveling the Role in the Thermal Anatase-to-Rutile Transformation”
by Mattia Allieta, Mauro Coduri and Alberto Naldoni
Appl. Nano 2024, 5(2), 72-83; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano5020007
“Shining a Light on Sewage Treatment: Building a High-Activity and Long-Lasting Photocatalytic Reactor with the Elegance of a “Kongming Lantern”
by Xiaohan Xu, Yi Wang, Zhuo Deng, Jin Wang, Xile Wei, Peng Wang and Dun Zhang
Catalysts 2024, 14(9), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14090645
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“A Review of Coal and Biomass Hydrogasification: Process Layouts, Hydrogasifiers, and Catalysts”
by Emilia Saraceno, Concetta Ruocco and Vincenzo Palma
Catalysts 2023, 13(2), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020417
“Biochar Production and Its Potential Application for Biocomposite Materials: A Comprehensive Review”
by Guillermina Feliz Florian, Mohamed Ragoubi, Nathalie Leblanc, Bechara Taouk and Lokmane Abdelouahed
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(6), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8060220
“Regional Wealth Data Acquisition and Modeling: Innovations Needed for Advancement in Sustainable Wealth in Energy-Rich Regions”
by Jason A. Hubbart and Hodjat Ghadimi
Challenges 2023, 14(4), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe14040051
“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
“Steam Reforming of Tar Impurities from Biomass Gasification with Ni-Co/Mg(Al)O Catalysts—Operating Parameter Effects”
by Ask Lysne, Ida Saxrud, Kristin Ø. Madsen and Edd A. Blekkan
Fuels 2024, 5(3), 458-475; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels5030025
“A Review of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling: Technologies, Sustainability, and Open Issues”
by Alessandra Zanoletti, Eleonora Carena, Chiara Ferrara and Elza Bontempi
Batteries 2024, 10(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10010038
“Fundamentals, Operation and Global Prospects for the Development of Biogas Plants-A Review”
by Gulnar Gadirli, Agnieszka A. Pilarska, Jacek Dach, Krzysztof Pilarski, Alicja Kolasa-Więcek and Klaudia Borowiak
Energies 2024, 17(3), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030568
Special Issues:
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22 January 2025
Prof. Dr. Eugenia (Éva) Valsami-Jones Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Nanomaterials
We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Eugenia (Éva) Valsami-Jones has been appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991).
Prof. Dr. Valsami-Jones is a Professor of environmental nanoscience at the University of Birmingham, UK. She holds a B.Sc. from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece) and a Ph.D. from Newcastle University, UK. Her research focuses on nanoscale processes in the environment and within biota. She has pioneered the development of traceable stable isotope-labelled nanomaterials and has studied the development of analytical solutions for improvements in the speed and quality of identification of nanoscale objects in complex matrices. She is currently working on understanding the effects of ageing on nanoplastics, developing nanoscale fertilisers, and applying safe and sustainable design approaches to the development of novel advanced materials. She was the Mineralogical Society’s Distinguished Lecturer for 2015 and the Distinguished Guest Lecturer and Medallist of the Royal Society of Chemistry for 2015. She is currently a Royal Society Wolfson Fellow. She is a member of the coordination team of the European Commission’s Nanosafety Cluster and has participated in many EU-funded projects and coordinated the projects ACEnano, NanoMILE, ModNanoTox, and NanoReTox.
The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Eugenia (Éva) Valsami-Jones, who shared her vision for the journal with us, as well as her views on the research area and open access publishing:
1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to become its Editor-in-Chief?
I first crossed paths with Nanomaterials as an author—a number of times—and this was always a positive experience. More recently, I took on a guest editorial role, which is ongoing and gave me a glimpse of the running of the journal, and those involved with it on a daily basis—this also felt very positive and a good omen for working closer with the in-house team.
The role of Editor-in-Chief is a great responsibility but also an opportunity to contribute and influence my field of science in ways that are not possible through simply publishing papers or in short-term guest editorial activities. I feel ready to take on such a major role, one that offers an opportunity to support and shape a much broader area of research than my own. I look forward to making this happen!
2. What is your vision for Nanomaterials?
Nanomaterials is already a well-respected and influential journal in nanoscience and nanotechnology, so what can I do to make it even better?
On a day-to-day basis, I will ensure responsiveness from my side and fast turnaround of editorial decisions. As an author, I know how important this is to all of us. But this is something pretty much already happening with Nanomaterials, and my task here is to maintain, if not slightly improve, an already very high standard.
On a visionary note, I hope to make Nanomaterials special and the “go-to” journal for all major discoveries in nanomaterials research. Here are some ideas I have:
- Nanomaterials already publishes Special Issues, but these are selected on an ad-hoc basis and are not strategically chosen. A way to target Special Issues is to link them to important global activities, such as international conferences. Also, to partner up with workshops and support opportunities for authors to produce their abstracts (or even full papers) whilst at the workshop;
- We already publicise Editor’s Choice Articles, but I would like to strengthen this in two ways–publish an editorial when major developments in the field of nanomaterials take place and fast-track manuscripts on such ground-breaking developments, with the aim to publish within a week of receipt and showcase them in the ECA Section;
- The journal’s awards are important, to us and you. They deserve more attention, and I shall aim to work on this to ensure that our winners are celebrated more visibly and broadly.
I also want to hear from anyone reading this! Do you like these ideas? What else would you like to see our journal doing that would make it more precious and a top target for your best papers?
A final note here is that if I succeed in making the journal more attractive to our readership, with popularity also, inevitably, will come an increased rate of rejection. Here, I will aim to make this as pain-free and transparent as possible and offer our authors alternatives (companion journals) for their rejected papers, so they can stay with the journal family and hopefully make it into Nanomaterials with their next submission. I will always aspire to give as much feedback as possible, especially when rejections happen before papers go to peer review so that we work with our authors to improve our standards. Ultimately, this is a win-win for everyone since, by raising the journal’s standards and impact, we raise the visibility of all our papers.
3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
There is a slight bias here as I am a nanomaterials scientist, but I see nanoscience and nanotechnology as a field of endeavour that will continue to go from strength to strength. Some of the greatest scientific discoveries, from graphene to vaccines, have nanoscience and nanotechnology at their core. The source of unique size-related properties found at the nanoscale will not dry up soon. Take, for example, the recent discovery of goldene (https://www.nature.com/articles/s44160-024-00518-4) or the newly described non-metal organic frameworks (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07353-9). Trust me on this, there is plenty more where these came from!
4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
Open access creates a level playing field for all, regardless of location, status, or affiliation. It can only be a good thing. It removes limitations and bias from the intellectual development of parts of the academic world and allows everyone to keep up to date with scientific progress, regardless of their ability to pay for learning. It can be a tricky balance from the publishers’ point of view, but to me, it is the right direction of travel.
We warmly welcome Prof. Dr. Eugenia (Éva) Valsami-Jones as our Editor-in-Chief and look forward to her valuable input for the continued success of Nanomaterials.
21 January 2025
Nanomaterials | Invitation to Contribute to the Special Issues Edited by Editorial Board Members
21 January 2025
MDPI’s Newly Launched Journals in December 2024
Nine new journals covering multiple subjects launched their inaugural issues in December 2024. We are excited to be able to share with you the newest research rooted in the value of open access.
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all of the Editorial Board Members, and each journal will ensure its high-quality output by using excellent editorial and rigorous peer-review processes, to ensure that the articles achieve high impact and visibility.
Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.
| Journal | Founding Editor-in-Chief | Journal Topics (Selected) |
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Prof. Dr. Zhaoyang Dong |
energy storage technologies; energy storage system management; energy storage applications; strategies in renewable energy generation grid integration; distributed storage systems; economics and markets for energy storage View journal scope | Submit an article |
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Prof. Dr. Yang-Hui He 1. London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Royal Institution, UK 2. University of Oxford, UK Editorial | View inaugural issue |
Euclidean geometry; differential geometry; algebraic geometry; complex geometry; discrete geometry; computational geometry; geometric group theory; convex geometry View journal scope | Submit an article |
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Dr. Michel Planat Université de Franche-Comté, France Editorial | View inaugural issue |
differential topology; algebraic topology; manifold topology; homology theory; low-dimensional topology; fuzzy sets View journal scope | Submit an article |
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Prof. Dr. Rashid Al Abri 1. Sultan Qaboos University, Oman 2. Oman Medical Association, Oman Editorial | View inaugural issue |
clinical practices as well as research and innovation in medical education, risk management in healthcare, and patient safety View journal scope | Submit an article |
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Prof. Dr. Ecevit Bilgili* New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA *Prof. Dr. Ecevit Bilgili passed away before the completion of the inaugural issue. His dedication and vision for JPBI will always be remembered and serve as a guiding inspiration. Editorial | View inaugural issue |
early drug discovery and development; product characterization and pre-clinical testing; drug delivery systems and drug design; active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production View journal scope | Submit an article |
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Dr. Weiyong Liu Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China Editorial | View inaugural issue |
theories, methodologies, technologies, and applications in the fields of laboratory medicine and clinical chemistry View journal scope | Submit an article |
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Prof. Dr. Manuel Pedro Rodríguez Bolívar University of Granada, Spain Editorial | View inaugural issue |
scientometrics; informetrics; bibliometrics; altmetrics; webometrics; research evaluation View journal scope | Submit an article |
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Prof. Dr. Fei Fan Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China Editorial | View inaugural issue |
regional growth theory and methods; regional system modeling and optimization; regional development policy; regional spatial evolution; environmental policy and instrument choice View journal scope | Submit an article |
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Dr. Kevin Cianfaglione Université Catholique de Lille, France Editorial | View inaugural issue |
wild species and their habitats; wild environments and biodiversity; natural environment management; wild land preservation View journal scope | Submit an article |
We wish to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. You are welcome to send an application here, or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com) if you would like to create more new journals.
21 January 2025
Meet Us at the TMS 2025 Annual Meeting & Exhibition, 23–27 March 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
16 January 2025
Nanomaterials Exceptional Reviewers List 2024
