Prof. Dr. Tiancheng Mu Appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of Section “Separation Processes” in Processes
We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Tiancheng Mu has been appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of the “Separation Processes” Section in Processes (ISSN: 2227-9717). We look forward to his contribution to the continued success of the journal.
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Name: Prof. Dr. Tiancheng Mu |
The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Tiancheng Mu, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views of the research area and open access publishing:
1. You have collaborated with the journal Processes for many years, could you share your experience of working with the journal and your expectations for the future?
What impresses me most about the journal is its rapid-response mechanism. Against the backdrop of lengthy review cycles typical of traditional chemical engineering journals, Processes has established an efficient feedback system. This is especially crucial for the fast-moving fields of novel separation materials and process intensification technologies, as it ensures that readers can access research results as soon as possible.
I hope the journal can make the leap from tracking hot topics to defining paradigms. Papers should not stop at laboratory data — I look forward to seeing more in-depth work that includes life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA). I also encourage the publication of studies that combine both experiments and simulations, particularly those that address breakthrough outcomes related to multi-scale coupling — from molecular recognition to industrial unit scale-up. Furthermore, the journal should have the courage to publish disruptive, even controversial, exploratory work. An academic journal should be a front line for the collision of ideas, not merely a showroom for consensus.
2. What are the main areas of focus in your current research?
Currently, my research focuses on efficient and green separation processes, with an emphasis on three main directions. The first is green solvent substitution technology, developing low-toxicity, biodegradable green solvents for the separation and conversion of complex systems. The second is AI-driven process design, using machine learning to accelerate the screening of high-performance separation materials and system optimization. The third is green electricity-driven coupling processes, exploring the use of renewable electricity to replace traditional thermochemical driving forces, aiming for intrinsic decarbonization of reaction and separation processes. Overall, through interdisciplinary research, I aim to advance separation processes toward greater efficiency, greenness, and intelligence.
3. As the Section Editor-in-Chief, what kind of academic identity or distinctive features do you hope the “Separation Processes” Section will develop within Processes?
I want this Section to drive the field forward, not just collect papers. We will focus on three things: real-world industrial robustness, multi-scale thinking that connects microscopic and macro design, and future-oriented areas like extreme-condition separation, intelligent micro/nano systems, and support for new energy and biomanufacturing.
4. Could you provide an in-depth analysis of the key scientific challenges and technical bottlenecks currently facing the field of separation processes?
Five key challenges we are facing right now:
- First, energy intensity–Separation accounts for a major portion of chemical industry energy consumption. Breaking the limitations of conventional thermal processes like distillation is critical;
- Second, precise separation of complex systems–Multi-component systems, trace-level impurities, and high-salinity or high-viscosity streams push the limits of both selectivity and mass transfer efficiency;
- Third, the materials-to-engineering gap–Many novel materials fail during scale-up due to poor stability, fouling resistance, or manufacturability;
- Fourth, unclear multi-scale coupling mechanisms–We lack a fundamental understanding of how dynamic behaviors couple across molecular, interfacial, and equipment scales;
- Fifth, shallow application of AI–Industrial AI applications remain nascent. The key hurdles are reliable data acquisition and model generalizability.
5. What are your views on the future prospects of the separation processes field?
Separation is irreplaceable in industrial processes, and its strategic importance will only increase. Looking ahead, I see four major trends:
- First, transformative separation paradigms—moving toward green, low-carbon processes with intensification strategies to save energy;
- Second, high selectivity and precision—driven by semiconductors and biopharma, the need for ultrahigh purity and trace-level recognition will keep growing;
- Third, integration and modularization—more reaction-separation coupling, evolving into miniaturized, plug-and-play smart separation units;
- Fourth, AI fusion—using AI to optimize separation and reshape traditional design approaches.
6. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
Open access (OA) is the future of academic publishing. It increases visibility and removes barriers for researchers in SMEs and developing countries, which is a major boost for interdisciplinary innovation. However, open access also faces quality challenges. We must guard against academic misconduct and ensure that false or low-quality research does not mislead the public. The key is balancing openness with quality. One practical step is to improve peer review by involving more high-quality early-career researchers. This would add depth and diversity to the review process. Overall, high-quality, professional OA platforms will play an increasingly important role in research. I hope Processes continue to lead the way.
We wish Prof. Dr. Tiancheng Mu every success both in his research and in the development of Processes.
For more information about this Section, please visit: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/processes/sections/separation_processes.