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Announcements
15 August 2024
Meet Us at the 2nd International Symposium on Cellulose and Renewable Materials, 20–23 September 2024, Chengdu, China

The 2nd International Symposium on Cellulose and Renewable Materials will be held from 20 to 23 September 2024, in Chengdu, China. The conference is organized by Division of Cellulose and Renewable Materials of the Chinese Chemical Society, Sichuan University, and the State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering.
Main Conference Themes:
- Structure, modeling, and analytics of cellulose-based materials;
- Processing, application, and function of cellulose-based materials;
- Development and utilization of other biomass resources;
- Forum of young scientists in the fields of cellulose and renewable materials.
The following MDPI journals will be represented in the conference:
- Polymers;
- Polysaccharides;
- Textiles;
- Fibers;
- Macromol;
- Marine Drugs;
- J. Compos. Sci.;
- Molecules;
- Sustainability;
- Surfaces.
If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us by contacting us online. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at a booth and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: http://www.iscrm2024.com/En/Default.
15 August 2024
Polymers | Selected Papers in 2022–2023 from the Section “Polymer Fibers”
We are pleased to invite you to read the selected papers of Polymers (ISSN: 2073-4360) from the Section “Polymer Fibers”. The selected papers are as follows.
1. “Gelatin Blends Enhance Performance of Electrospun Polymeric Scaffolds in Comparison to Coating Protocols”
by Maria Bikuna-Izagirre, Javier Aldazabal and Jacobo Paredes
Polymers 2022, 14(7), 1311; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14071311
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/7/1311
2. “Facile One-Step Electrospinning Process to Prepare AgNPs-Loaded PLA and PLA/PEO Mats with Antibacterial Activity”
by Valeria Allizond, Giuliana Banche, Matteo Salvoni, Mery Malandrino, Claudio Cecone, Anna Maria Cuffini and Pierangiola Bracco
Polymers 2023, 15(6), 1470; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15061470
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/6/1470
3. “Enhancing Thermal Conductivity of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Composites by Carbon Fiber: Length Effect of the Filler”
by Guoqing Yi, Jingliang Li, Luke C. Henderson, Weiwei Lei, Lian Du and Shuaifei Zhao
Polymers 2022, 14(21), 4599; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214599
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/21/4599
4. “A Multiscale Study of CFRP Based on Asymptotic Homogenization with Application to Mechanical Analysis of Composite Pressure Vessels”
by Nan Zhang, Shuai Gao, Meili Song, Yang Chen, Xiaodong Zhao, Jianguo Liang and Jun Feng
Polymers 2022, 14(14), 2817; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14142817
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/14/2817
5. “The Effect of the Physical and Chemical Properties of Synthetic Fabrics on the Release of Microplastics during Washing and Drying”
by Sola Choi, Juhea Kim and Miyeon Kwon
Polymers 2022, 14(6), 3384; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14163384
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/16/3384
6. “Inkjet Printing of Electrodes on Electrospun Micro- and Nanofiber Hydrophobic Membranes for Flexible and Smart Textile Applications”
by Zuzanna J. Krysiak, Hamed Abdolmaleki, Shweta Agarwala and Urszula Stachewicz
Polymers 2022, 14(22), 5043; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14225043
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/22/5043
7. “Core-Sheath Electrospun Nanofibers Based on Chitosan and Cyclodextrin Polymer for the Prolonged Release of Triclosan”
by Safa Ouerghemmi, Stéphanie Degoutin, Mickael Maton, Nicolas Tabary, Frédéric Cazaux, Christel Neut, Nicolas Blanchemain and Bernard Martel
Polymers 2022, 14(10), 1955; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14101955
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/10/1955
8. “Parametric Design Studies of Mass-Related Global Warming Potential and Construction Costs of FRP-Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure”
by Philipp Preinstorfer, Tobias Huber, Sara Reichenbach, Janet M. Lees and Benjamin Kromoser
Polymers 2022, 14(12), 2383; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122383
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/12/2383
9. “Thermoplastic Pultrusion Process of Polypropylene/Glass Tapes”
by Fausto Tucci, Felice Rubino, Germana Pasquino and Pierpaolo Carlone
Polymers 2023, 15(10), 2374; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15102374
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/10/2374
10. “Comparative Study of Metal Substrates for Improved Carbonization of Electrospun PAN Nanofibers”
by Jan Lukas Storck, Martin Wortmann, Bennet Brockhagen, Natalie Frese, Elise Diestelhorst, Timo Grothe, Christian Hellert and Andrea Ehrmann
Polymers 2022, 14(4), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040721
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/4/721
7 August 2024
MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter #14 - New Headquarters, Marketing, Poland

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
MDPI Moves to New Headquarters in Basel, Switzerland
I am excited to share that MDPI has moved to a new state-of-the-art office space in Basel, Switzerland. This move consolidates our operations by bringing together our two previously separated Basel offices into one central location.
We are always growing our talent pool and encourage you to view our Careers Page for the positions available in Basel and across our offices.
New Address: Grosspeteranlage 5, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland
Effective Date: 1 July 2024
This new chapter in our company’s journey is designed to continue our mission of positioning MDPI as a leader in Open Access (OA) publishing, highlighting our commitment to making scholarly research accessible to everyone.
Boasting modern amenities, improved meeting and event spaces designed to support our growing needs, the new location provides a more collaborative and efficient working environment for our employees. The location offers convenient accessibility to public transportation and is situated near the Basel SBB railway station, with a variety of nearby services and amenities.
In fact, I can see the trains right outside of my window as I write these lines!
This move marks an exciting milestone in MDPI’s development, and I am confident that the new headquarters will serve as an inspiring and productive space for everyone. We also very much look forward to welcoming visitors here. You can read more about MDPI's history here.
“This new chapter continues our mission of positioning MDPI as a leader in OA publishing”
For Those New to 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 a greater proportion of the research conducted worldwide free and accessible to everyone. To date, 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 6,000 professional, well-trained staff members, and an in-house article submission platform designed to ensure efficient processes within its 440 fully Open Access titles. MDPI supports more than 800 academic institutions worldwide, helping them adhere to national mandates while facilitating authors’ publication in fully compliant (CC BY) Open Access journals.
Impactful Research
New and Emerging MDPI Journals Making an Immediate Impact
Unpacking some of the Impact Factor updates from the June CEO Letter, I wanted to dive a little deeper into the 137 MDPI journals which received Impact Factor for the first time.
Academic authors highly value efficient publishing processes, robust editorial support, and the opportunity to publish in high-impact journals. We are proud that our newly launched journals typically achieve coverage in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) of the Web of Science within just a few years, with a median time of only three years from release to inclusion.
As part of our commitment to advancing academic research and providing high-quality OA publishing, we actively seek new research areas to expand our portfolio of journals. We have a proven track record of successfully establishing new journals.
Our dedicated teams excel in fostering dynamic editorial boards and working closely with Editors-in-Chief (EiC) to define the precise scope and focus of each new journal. Our expertise extends to collaborating with indexing services, ensuring that our journals comply with best practices and are indexed promptly in all relevant databases.
Emerging Titles Ranked for the First Time
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the annual impact metrics released this past June. The latest edition of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) showcases the integration of journals from the ESCI in the new unified category rankings, providing a simplified and more complete view of all journals within each subject category, including newly established titles.
Out of 137 new and developing MDPI journals ranked in the 2024 release, 79 are in the top half (Q1 or Q2) of their categories. Here is a breakdown of the number of MDPI’s ESCI-indexed journals by quartile in the JCR:
Quartile | No. of journals |
Q1 | 17 (12.4%) |
Q2 | 62 (45.3%) |
Q3 | 43 (31.4%) |
Q4 | 15 (10.9%) |
Not ranked (humanities-related journals) | 2 |
These rankings highlight our success in rapidly establishing high-impact new journals. Among those that made it directly into the top 25% of their category are the International Journal of Neonatal Screening, Journal of Xenobiotics, Polysaccharides, Smart Cities, and thirteen other journals.
You can browse MDPI journals by Indexing. Simply visit our Journals page and select from the list of Indexing bodies in the top left-hand corner.
Inside MDPI
MDPI Corporate Marketing Strategy and Team Meeting 2024
In July, I hosted the annual Corporate Marketing strategy and team-building activity with 15 of our team members.
The aim was to align the Corporate Marketing strategy with MDPI's goal of becoming the world's most trusted OA publisher. While we provide a high-level publishing experience for our authors, as seen from our surveys, we need to keep building on our transparent and open communication to foster trust within the scholarly community and continue enhancing our reputation.
The Corporate Marketing team plays an important role as the mouthpiece for all our major activities within MDPI, especially those that model what it means to be a trusted partner. The purpose of the strategy meeting was to develop a feeling of trust in one another and an understanding of how to inspire trust in the stakeholders with whom we interact.
“We need to keep building on our transparent and open communication to foster trust within the scholarly community”
We conducted a set of activities to facilitate that sense of mutual trust and trustworthiness. Examples of some activities we worked on during this strategy-building event include:
- Exploring what trust means
- ‘Letter to self’
- ‘The brand I most trust’
- Most Trusted Academic Publisher
- ‘The brand I would like MDPI to become’
- ‘The 2029 MDPI Annual Report’
- Voice of Customer and Share of Voice – survey/data update on MDPI Brand Experience and Brand Perception
- Integrate Trust-Based Objective into Marketing Plan
- ‘Becoming the MDPI experience’
- ‘Trusting the next steps’
While two days is not enough to finalize a marketing strategy, it is sufficient to get everyone who attended into the mindset of the direction in which we are working. From here, we will develop a program with next steps on main projects, update communications, and collaborate with team leads to incorporate this approach into our work going forward.
As a marketing team, we can communicate our messages, but trust has to be built at every touchpoint in the stakeholder journey. Just talking about it isn’t enough. We need to be about it. That’s a role each of us plays, from editorial to IT, from marketing to HR. We must build trust from the inside out. It starts with each manager and resonates out via every team member.
As a company, our goal is to give all stakeholders with whom we interact – whether internal or external – the experience of working with an organization it can trust.
Coming Together for Science
MDPI in Poland: Krakow Office
In July, I had the pleasure of visiting our Krakow office, following my recent trip to Warsaw to meet with the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
During these visits, I prioritized meeting with our Office Manager, Editorial Director, Group Leads, and members from various teams, including editorial, production, marketing, and journal relationship specialists, to understand their roles and current challenges. Instead of a formal presentation, I opted for an open discussion, sharing updates from headquarters to engage with colleagues in a more personal way.
Our Krakow office has many things to be proud of, including a large number of PhD colleagues (over a third of its staff holds a PhD degree). Krakow provides an opportunity for expanding beyond the 100 colleagues we currently have, by adding new hires in departments including editorial, production and marketing, among others.
About our Krakow office
- Opened in 2020
- 99 staff members as at 1 August 2024
- Main Departments include Editorial, Production, English Department, JRS, PR
Our Krakow office participates in international conferences, conducts author trainings and scholar visits, and engages in local market outreach. The office is also a member of the Polish Chamber of Commerce for High Technology (IZTECH) and is working on expanding its local engagement.
Krakow is the second-largest city in Poland, with a population of about 800,000. It also has a large student population of around 128,000, with seven universities. This means that roughly one in every eight residents is a student.
Poland and MDPI
Poland is a crucial market for MDPI. From 2020 to June 2024, Poland ranked 7th in submissions and 5th in publications for MDPI research articles. As at 31 July 2024, Poland ranks 7th in total MDPI publications, with approximately 70,000 research papers.
Between 2020 and June 2024, 61,500 authors from Poland published with MDPI. As at 30 June 2024, there are 1,205 active Editorial Board Members (EBMs) from Poland, with 661 EBMs (55% of the total) having an H-index over 25.
We also have four Editors-in-Chief (EiC) from Poland leading our journals: Coatings, Venereology, Advances in Respiratory Medicine, and Limnological Review, along with six Section EiC.
In 2023, we received approximately 21,000 submissions from Polish-affiliated authors, of which 12,032 were published.
“Poland is a crucial market for MDPI”
Meeting with Ministry of Education
On 22 July, we visited Warsaw to meet with the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
We were pleased to learn that they are strong supporters of the OA publishing model and value MDPI’s approach to the peer-review process, including our high ethical standards for quality control.
In 2023 Polish authors predominantly published their papers in OA, with MDPI holding the largest market share in OA publications within the country.
Our commitment to collaborating with Polish institutions is evident through our 33 Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) agreements with prestigious institutions such as the University of Warsaw, the University of Wroclaw, the Jagiellonian University, and Gdańsk University of Technology. Through IOAP discounts, a healthy waiver rate, and our peer-review voucher system, we provide the Polish scholarly community with significant savings in OA publishing. The Minister greatly appreciated these efforts and our commitment to offsetting some of the APC costs.
We discussed industry concerns about the threat of papermills and presented the preventive measures MDPI has in place to mitigate this risk and uphold high ethical standards. We informed them of our commitment to combating papermills, including our involvement with United2Act and the STM Research Integrity Hub, as well as our efforts to expand our research integrity team and explore proactive measures.
Closing Thoughts
MDPI Thought Leadership Op-ed on Open Access is Now Live on Politico
I am pleased to share that our thought leadership Op-ed piece on Open Access (OA) is now live on Politico. This is a nice push for continued influence and support of OA among policymakers and industry leaders.
Why Politico?
Politico's reputation as a highly credible and influential news platform makes it an important venue to reach key opinion leaders (KOL) from academia, policymakers, and thought leaders from many industries. This visibility helps promote the OA philosophy.
Open Access: A Moral Imperative for Progress
In this piece, I discuss the necessity of making scientific research freely available to all. I argue that publicly funded research should be publicly accessible, highlighting how OA democratizes scientific knowledge, accelerates research availability, and fosters collaboration.
“Open Access is a fundamental right for all citizens”
Democratizing scientific communication
The impulse to democratize scientific communication is nothing new. OA may seem like a recent innovation, but its principles have historical roots traceable to Europe in the 15th century. Just as the printing revolution accelerated the dissemination of new ideas, OA publishing unlocks new scientific insights that would otherwise only be accessible to a few.
Benefits for scholars: amplifying impact through Open Access
Authors publishing in an OA journal can expect more citations of their work, increasing its potential impact. Research findings that are freely available are more likely to be cited than those hidden behind a paywall. Freedom of access greatly increases the potential audience for each paper, fostering a sense of community among researchers worldwide. Heightened visibility can attract prospective collaborators and employers for young scientists. At MDPI, we believe that all these factors can only accelerate the advance of science. Additionally, authors retain copyright in their work instead of signing it away, permitting broader dissemination under Creative Commons licenses and increasing its capacity for impact.
The moral imperative
OA is not just a matter of scientific policy; it is a fundamental right for all citizens and a prerequisite for a brighter, more informed future. Publicly funded research should be a top priority, and I am pleased to see policy moving in this direction. Our capacity to generate transformative scientific insights has to be democratized. The question today is no longer whether we can afford to embrace OA; rather, it is whether we can afford not to.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
6 August 2024
Meet Us at the Materials Science and Engineering Congress 2024, 24–26 September 2024, Darmstadt, Germany

MDPI will be attending the Materials Science and Engineering Congress 2024, which will be held from 24 to 26 September 2024 in Darmstadt, Germany. This event is organized by the German Society for Materials Science (DGM), which is the largest scientific and technical society in the field of materials science and engineering in Germany.
The areas of focus for the conference include the following:
- Biomaterials;
- Characterization;
- Digital transformation;
- Functional materials, surfaces and devices;
- Circular materials;
- Modeling and simulation;
- Processing and synthesis;
- Structural materials.
The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:
- Materials;
- Molecules;
- Polymers;
- Inorganics;
- Symmetry;
- Membranes;
- Crystals;
- Bioengineering;
- Surfaces;
- JFB;
- Metals;
- Micromachines;
- Polysaccharides;
- Chemistry;
- Compounds;
- Organics;
- Macromol;
- Solids;
- Catalysts.
If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to stop by our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://dgm.de/mse/2024/.
2 August 2024
MDPI Romania Author Training Sessions in May
In May, MDPI Romania held three author training sessions – one endorsing an external event and two stand-alone sessions.
The National Session of Scientific Student Communications took place at Technical University Cluj on 17 and 18 May 2024. MDPI Romania sponsored this event and contributed an author training session on the production of research papers and case study analyses. JRS Norbert Kiss gave a presentation called The World of Open Access to explain different open access publishing models and the benefits of open access publishing. His presentation highlighted the impact of open access publishing on scientific progress and innovation.
On 29 May 2024, MDPI Romania hosted an author training session for Ph.D. students, early career researchers, and professors at the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy. In collaboration with Prof. Andreea Arsene, JRS Ioana Paunescu prepared two presentations: The Steps of the Publishing Process and Elaboration of a Peer Review Report. In her first presentation, she delved into MDPI’s history and mission, MDPI’s editorial process, and MDPI journals of various scopes that are accepting submissions. Her second presentation outlined the types of peer review, the contents of a peer review report by an MDPI reviewer, and the responsibilities of an MDPI reviewer.
MDPI Romania also hosted an author training session at the Iasi University of Life Sciences on 29 May 2024. JRSs Laurentiu Preda and Cosmin Artan gave four presentations: Efficient Writing of an ISI-Indexed Scientific Article, Benefits of Publishing in the Open Access Model, Various Methods of Open Access Publishing, and MDPI Guide for the Article Review Process. The first three presentations offered guidance on how to improve academic writing, the fourth focused on how to write peer review reports. A highly interactive discussion followed the presentations, during which the JRSs provided extensive answers to attendees’ questions.
MDPI is grateful for all the attendees, speakers, and organizers involved in these events. Through their enthusiasm and dedication, these events were great successes.
31 July 2024
Prof. Dr. Yen Wei Appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of Section “Innovation of Polymer Science and Technology” in Polymers

Prof. Dr. Yen Wei, Chair Professor of Chemistry at Tsinghua University, China, and a nationally renowned expert, hails from Linchuan, Jiangxi Province, China. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Peking University (1977–1981), followed by a Ph.D. from the City University of New York (1986). He then pursued postdoctoral studies at MIT (1986–1987) and became an Assistant Professor at Drexel University (1987). Throughout his career, he progressed to become a DuPont Associate Professor (1991), Full Professor (1995), and Wagner Endowed Chair Professor (2004). Prof. Dr. Yen Wei has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (1998), the Outstanding Overseas Scholar of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2003), and the Changjiang Scholar Chair Professor of the Ministry of Education (2005). In 2009, he joined Tsinghua University as a full-time faculty member as part of the country's top-tier talent recruitment program. His research focuses on nanopolymers and their applications in biomedicine, energy, water treatment, hydrogels, smart devices, and 3D printing technologies. Prof. Dr. Wei has published an impressive 1,339 papers, which have been cited over 69,100 times in SCI journals, with an H-index of 130. From 2014 to 2023, he was consistently ranked among the world's most highly cited scientists. Currently, he serves as the Section Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Innovation of Polymer Science and Technology” in the Polymers journal.
The following is a Q&A with Prof. Dr. Yen Wei, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area:
1. What kind of experience is it for you to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Innovation of Polymer Science and Technology”? What are your expectations and goals for this role?
With our joint efforts, I hope that the Section “Innovation of Polymer Science and Technology” can drive scientific progress and technological innovation in this field. We aim to facilitate academic exchange among scholars, attract high-quality research papers from around the world, and support diversity by including young scientists and researchers from different regions, providing a platform for authors from diverse backgrounds to make their voices heard. By publishing research outcomes with far-reaching impacts, we strive to elevate the academic status and influence of the journal. We will strictly adhere to scientific and technical standards in reviewing articles, ensuring the quality and innovation of research through the peer-review process. Ultimately, we aspire to bring this column to a new level, comparable to world-renowned journals.
2. What is your stance on the open access publishing model?
The Open Access (OA) publishing model is a highly significant reform that enables scientific research knowledge and achievements to be publicly disseminated via the internet, allowing peers and the general public to freely read, download, copy, disseminate, and use these outcomes. The core advantage of this model lies in its ability to facilitate the dissemination and utilization of knowledge while respecting the rights of authors. The OA model provides a broader platform for the dissemination of scientific research achievements, yet it also means that the challenge of balancing the financial burden placed on authors with ensuring publication quality must be addressed.
3. What are your aspirations for the future growth of Polymers and driving advancements in related disciplines?
Regarding the future development of the Polymers journal, I have the following aspirations:
- Continuously enhance academic quality by maintaining a rigorous peer-review system to ensure that the published research outcomes are of high quality and innovative. Simultaneously, expand international collaboration by partnering with more international academic organizations and research institutions to deepen global exchange and cooperation in polymer science;
- Support young scientists by establishing awards and providing funding, among other measures, to open up a green channel for the publication of their original research work in the field of polymers;
- Foster interdisciplinary research by encouraging scientists from diverse disciplines to collaborate and explore the applications of polymer science in new materials, energy, biomedicine, and other fields;
- Strengthen knowledge dissemination by leveraging the advantages of open access to improve the accessibility and visibility of research outcomes, thereby promoting the popularization of scientific knowledge.
Through these efforts, I believe that the Polymers journal will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing polymer science and related fields, providing researchers with a rapid and high-quality platform to showcase their research achievements and exchange ideas.
4. The Section “Innovation of Polymer Science and Technology” will be positioned to focus on emerging and cutting-edge research directions within the field. In your opinion, what research topics do you think will garner particular interest from the academic community in the coming years?
The development of the Section “Innovation of Polymer Science and Technology” should closely align with the forefront of scientific research and cater to the needs of humanity and nations. This includes topics such as new theories and methods for polymer synthesis; sodium/lithium-ion and all-solid-state batteries; anion exchange membranes and fuel cells; seawater desalination and wastewater treatment; water splitting catalysts; implantable bioelectrodes; disease diagnosis, medical imaging, and therapy; and flexible or wearable smart devices. These research topics not only involve the synthesis and performance optimization of materials, but also deeply integrate considerations regarding energy sustainability and environmental friendliness, fully leveraging the significant role of polymer science and technology across multiple domains.
5. Could you briefly introduce your, or your team’s, current research direction and main contents?
Our team’s research interests are vast and diverse, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and developments. Our current primary research directions encompass, but are not limited to, the following:
- Synthesis methods of polymers and relationships between structure and properties;
- Development of conductive polymers and their applications in electronics and photothermal conversion;
- Preparation of composite materials with specific functions through integration of organic and inorganic materials;
- Synthesis of microporous and mesoporous materials and their applications in catalysis and separation;
- Development of novel dental and orthopedic restoration materials;
- Self-assembly behavior of dendritic and chiral compounds and properties of their supramolecular structures;
- Development of novel biosensors for detecting and monitoring biological processes.
6. We have noticed that your research experience is quite extensive. Could you share with us some of the key turning points that influenced your decision to work in different research institutions and countries?
I can identify several pivotal moments in my scientific journey. The first was when I enrolled in the chemistry department at Peking University in 1977. Initially, my heart lay not in chemistry but in the realms of literature, history, and philosophy. However, fate led me to chemistry, and as I delved deeper, I found myself genuinely captivated by it. The second turning point came when I secured a scholarship to pursue further studies abroad, embarking on a path of academic pursuit and satisfying my insatiable curiosity. But the most significant juncture occurred in 2009. Moved by the call of my homeland for the great rejuvenation of China, I returned to China full-time to join the Chemistry Department at Tsinghua University, committing myself to contributing to the advancement of education and scientific research in China and Tsinghua for the next three decades. I am filled with confidence in the thriving scientific landscape of China. Over the years, our nation has made remarkable strides in basic sciences, technology, and education, attracting global attention. China boasts a vast pool of talented individuals, yet there remains a scope for broadening our international perspectives. One of my primary motivations for returning was to bring back cutting-edge research insights and a professional ethos from abroad, nurturing a new generation of scholars with a global mindset, fortifying our nation's talent pool, and contributing to the thriving landscape of science, technology, and education in China.
7. Having studied and worked in various research institutions both domestically and internationally, which scientist (or mentor) has had the most profound impact on you? Why?
Since venturing into the world of scientific research, I have collaborated with an abundance of brilliant minds. Among them, several mentors have left an indelible mark on me.
Firstly, there is Prof. Xinde Feng, who mentored me during my undergraduate and master's programs. Professor Feng was deeply committed to nurturing talent, tailoring his approach to each student's strengths and aspirations. He relentlessly pushed us to venture beyond our comfort zones, fostering independent thought and encouraging us to strive for research that truly benefits society and its people.
Secondly, I have to mention Prof. G. Odian, my doctoral supervisor. His uncompromising dedication to scientific rigor, coupled with his humility and aversion to personal glory, set an admirable example for me.
Then comes Prof. G. Wnek, my postdoctoral mentor at MIT. Barely two years my senior, he has been a trusted confidant and a guiding light. With his noble character and extensive knowledge, he imparted invaluable wisdom on both personal and professional fronts.
Lastly, but certainly not least, is my honorary mentor, Professor A. MacDiarmid. It was under his guidance that I embarked on the exciting journey of conductive polymer research. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, I consider it a lifelong privilege to have collaborated with him for over two decades.
8. What qualities do you believe researchers need to possess on their scientific journey? Could you offer some advice to young scholars?
I firmly believe that engaging in scientific research necessitates an unwavering curiosity and thirst for exploration, serving as the foundation and driving force behind scientific innovation. Over the years, while lecturing, I have consistently emphasized, “Those who pursue science solely for wealth, power, fame, or awards have chosen the wrong path.” Scientists derive joy from the process of discovery and invention, rather than solely from the personal gains and accolades that may accompany them.
Researchers must cultivate independence and critical thinking skills, questioning and validating existing knowledge and research findings. Scientific research is often an arduous, lengthy, and challenging endeavor that necessitates patience and perseverance to overcome obstacles. Young scholars must broaden their horizons, not confining themselves to a narrow range of topics, but maintaining a lifelong commitment to learning and staying abreast of the latest scientific advancements and technological developments.
Moreover, failures are inevitable in scientific research, and it is crucial to learn from them and continue moving forward. The path of scientific inquiry is fraught with challenges yet replete with opportunities. I sincerely wish every young scholar to avoid complacency and unhealthy competition, embracing the journey of scientific research with joy, continuously progressing, and achieving their own accomplishments and fulfillment.
We warmly welcome Prof. Dr. Yen Wei as the Section Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Innovation of Polymer Science and Technology”, and we look forward to achieving many more milestones under his leadership.
23 July 2024
Meet Us at the Polymer Processing 2024 Conference (PPS-2024), 30 September–3 October 2024, Ferrol, Spain

MDPI will attend the European Regional Meeting of the Polymer Processing Society, PPS-2024, to be held at Ferrol, A Coruña, Spain, from 30 September to 3 October 2024.
The PPS Meetings are leading conferences in the field of Polymer Science and Engineering and attract internationally renowned scientists, engineers and designers. The goals of the Society, as embodied in its constitution, are to foster scientific understanding and technical innovation in polymer processing by providing a discussion forum. The thematic range of the PPS encompasses all formulation, conversion and shaping operations applied to polymeric systems and their transformation to commercial products with attractive properties.
The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:
- Polymers;
- Marine Drugs;
- Fibers;
- Materials;
- Membranes;
- Coatings;
- JMMP.
If you are planning on attending this conference, please do not hesitate to stop by our booth and start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://pps2024ferrol.com/.
10 July 2024
MDPI's Newly Launched Journals in June 2024
Five new journals covering multiple subjects have launched their inaugural issue in June 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 the Editorial Board Members and each journal will ensure its high-quality output 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. Marco Ranucci, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Italy |
anaesthetic medications; blood and fluid management; pain management; critical care; critical illness | view journal scope | submit an article |
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Dr. Giovanni E. Cacciamani, University of Southern California, USA |
surgical/procedural complications; complications; perioperative adverse events; postoperative adverse events | view journal scope | submit an article |
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Prof. Dr. Gassan Hodaifa, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Spain |
laboratory management; laboratory safety; protective equipment; laboratory problems and challenges; laboratory Innovation | view journal scope | submit an article |
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Prof. Dr. Jan S. Suchodolski, Texas A&M University, USA |
companion animals health and disease; veterinary care and nutrition; genetics and genomics; behavior and welfare; human-animal relations | view journal scope | submit an article |
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Prof. Dr. Pierfrancesco De Paola, University of Naples Federico II, Italy |
real estate appraisal; economic and financial valuation of real estate projects; sustainable real estate; housing and urban economics | 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.
2 July 2024
Polymers | Selected Papers in 2022–2023 in the Section “Polymer Analysis and Characterization”
We are pleased to invite you to read the selected papers in Polymers (ISSN: 2073-4360) in the Section “Polymer Analysis and Characterization”. The paper list is as follows:
1. “High-Performance Photoinitiating Systems for LED-Induced Photopolymerization”.
by Shaohui Liu, Timur Borjigin, Michael Schmitt, Fabrice Morlet-Savary, Pu Xiao and Jacques Lalevée
Polymers 2023, 15(2), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020342
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/2/342
2. “Influence of Nanoparticles on the Dielectric Response of a Single Component Resin Based on Polyesterimide”
by Štefan Hardoň, Jozef Kúdelčík, Anton Baran, Ondrej Michal, Pavel Trnka and Jaroslav Hornak
Polymers 2022, 14(11), 2202; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14112202
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/11/2202
3. Investigation of Polymer Aging Mechanisms Using Molecular Simulations: A Review
by Fan Zhang, Fan Zhang, Rui Yang and Diannan Lu
Polymers 2023, 15(8), 1928; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15081928
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/8/1928
4. “Macromolecular Insights into the Altered Mechanical Deformation Mechanisms of Non-Polyolefin Contaminated Polyolefins”
by Ruben Demets, Marie Grodent, Karen Van Kets, Steven De Meester and Kim Ragaert
Polymers 2022, 14(2), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14020239
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/2/239
5. “Temperature Induced Gelation and Antimicrobial Properties of Pluronic F127 Based Systems”
by Alexandra Lupu, Irina Rosca, Vasile Robert Gradinaru and Maria Bercea
Polymers 2023, 15(2), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020355
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/2/355
6. “Tension and Compression Properties of 3D-Printed Composites: Print Orientation and Strain Rate Effects”
by Tom Fisher, José Humberto S. Almeida Jr, Brian G. Falzon and Zafer Kazancı
Polymers 2023, 15(7), 1708; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15071708
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/7/1708
7 .“The Effect of Physical Aging and Degradation on the Re-Use of Polyamide 12 in Powder Bed Fusion”
by Benjamin Sanders, Edward Cant, Hoda Amel and Michael Jenkins
Polymers 2022, 14(13), 2682; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14132682
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/13/2682
8. “The Influence of Colloidal Properties of Carbon Black on Static and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber”
by William Amoako Kyei-Manu, Charles R. Herd, Mahatab Chowdhury, James J. C. Busfield and Lewis B. Tunnicliffe
Polymers 2022, 14(6), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14061194
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/6/1194
9. “The Influence of the Layer Height and the Filament Color on the Dimensional Accuracy and the Tensile Strength of FDM-Printed PLA Specimens”
by Doina Frunzaverde, Vasile Cojocaru, Nicoleta Bacescu, Costel-Relu Ciubotariu, Calin-Octavian Miclosina, Raul Rusalin Turiac and Gabriela Marginean
Polymers 2023, 15(10), 2377; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15102377
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/10/2377
10. “The Mechanical Properties of Nanocomposites Reinforced with PA6 Electrospun Nanofibers”
by Inga Lasenko, Jaymin Vrajlal Sanchaniya, Sai Pavan Kanukuntla, Yagnik Ladani, Arta Viluma-Gudmona, Olga Kononova, Vitalijs Lusis, Igors Tipans and Turs Selga
Polymers 2023, 15(3), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15030673
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/3/673
11. “Thermal Stability and Flammability Studies of MXene–Organic Hybrid Polystyrene Nanocomposites”
by Zhuoran Zhang, Huaixuan Cao, Yufeng Quan, Rong Ma, Emily B. Pentzer, Micah J. Green and Qingsheng Wang
Polymers 2022, 14(6), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14061213
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/6/1213
12. “Wastewater Treatment by Polymeric Microspheres: A Review”
by Jiwon Lee and Rajkumar Patel
Polymers 2022, 14(9), 1890; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14091890
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/9/1890
2 July 2024
Polymers Receives an Increased CiteScore of 8.0

We are pleased to inform you that Polymers (ISSN: 2073-4360) has received a heightened CiteScore of 8.0.
CiteScore provides transparent metrics that enable well-informed publishing strategy, 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.
Polymers’ CiteScore ranks as follows:
- Q1 (77 out of 408) in the “General Chemistry” category;
- Q1 (32 out of 161) in the “Polymers and Plastics” category.
For more journal statistics, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/Polymers/stats.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the journal.
Polymers Editorial Office