Announcements

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
• Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
• Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
• Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
• Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
• Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
• Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.

Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.

We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award.  Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/. 

Chair:

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn Ohio State University, USA

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes.

Prof. Angelo Fontana University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy	Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe.
Prof. Binghe Wang Georgia State University, USA	Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas.
Dr. Diana Pinto University of Aveiro, Portugal	Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis.
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya Kyoto University, Japan	Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications.
Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel University of Strathclyde, UK	Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field.
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano University of Kentucky, USA	Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.
Prof. Wei Li University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA	A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents.

We are pleased to announce that the application period for the Separations 2026 Travel Award is now open. The applications will be assessed by an Evaluation Committee consisting of senior scholars from the Separations Editorial Board.

This prize offers financial support for the winner to attend an international conference covering all areas of analytical separation and purification, which will be held in 2026, to give a presentation, present a poster, or both.

Candidate requirements:

• Postdoctoral fellows or Ph.D. students;
• Plans to attend an international conference in 2026 (oral presentation or poster).

Required application documents:

• Information about the conference the applicant plans to attend and the abstract that will be submitted;
• Curriculum Vitae and list of publications;
• Justification letter describing the focus of the research (max. 800 words);
• Letter of recommendation from the supervisor, research director, or department head, which also confirms the applicant’s status.

The winner (one awardee) will be awarded CHF 800 and an electronic certificate. Please submit your application for the Separations Travel Award through the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/separations/awards/3340 (by clicking on “Apply”).

Application deadline: 31 October 2025.

The winner will be announced on the Separations (ISSN: 2297-8739) website at the end of December 2025, and the prize will be awarded at the same time. If you have any questions about this award and the application, please feel free to write to the Editorial Office at separations@mdpi.com.

Separations Editorial Office

The Separations Young Investigator Award was established in 2024 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of separation science. The winner was chosen by the journal’s award committee. 

Name: Dr. Li Yan
Affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
Interests: environmental interface chemistry; DFT calculations; synchrotron-based X-ray techniques; nanotechnology; water treatment; biogeochemistry 

Let us hear her opinions and find out about her experiences with scientific research and awards. 

1. What are your current research areas?
My current research focuses on environmental interfacial chemistry and water treatment. Specifically, I utilize advanced spectroscopic and theoretical methodologies, such as synchrotron-based X-ray techniques, in situ FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and MD simulations, to elucidate the molecular-level mechanisms governing interfacial chemistry. These insights guide the molecular design and development of targeted materials for water treatment, particularly for the removal and transformation of heavy metals and organic pollutants.

2. How did you become interested in your current research field?
Water treatment has never been more critical due to the growing issue of environmental pollution. Understanding the principles and developing technologies for water treatment are central to my research interests. This work is of great significance as it can reduce pollutant exposure and alleviate serious illnesses. Moreover, access to clean water is vital for the sustainability of both industry and the environment. Achieving these goals requires advancements in water treatment principles and technologies, which provide tremendous opportunities for my current research. In other aspects, I think my interest in this field is profoundly influenced by my Ph.D. mentor, whose attitude, perspective, insights, and dedication to scientific research have deeply inspired me to pursue this area of study. 

3. Could you please share some particularly interesting or unexpected results you have found during your research experience?
I remember when I was doing my Ph.D., I conducted a project to investigate the adsorption performance of different types of TiO₂ for arsenic removal. I found a significant difference in adsorption capacities, but surprisingly, the specific surface area did not determine the varying adsorption capacities. This was unexpected, as we typically assume that BET surface area is a key factor in adsorption. After a thorough investigation, I discovered that the exposed crystal facets of nanomaterials were responsible for the diverse adsorption behaviors, as their different surface atomic structures determine the chemical bonding with pollutants. Following this, I further explored this facet-dependent phenomenon across a wide range of materials, elucidated the underlying mechanisms, and developed crystal growth principles to guide the synthesis of facet-controllable nanoparticles for practical applications. 

4. What do you think is your greatest scientific achievement so far?
I think one of my significant achievements was the innovation of a facet-engineering technique to address the long-standing challenge in the controllable synthesis of nanomaterials. This innovative approach is grounded in a deep understanding of the concentration-limited kinetically controlled growth mechanisms of crystal facets at the molecular level. In this work, I employed computational modeling of molecule diffusion and adsorption to minimize surface energy and selectively protect desired facets during synthesis, which guided the production of TiO₂ nanocrystals with tunable facet ratios. This research pioneered a deterministic approach to regulating crystal facets in nanomaterials, significantly advancing the understanding of the kinetic growth mechanisms of crystals.
Building on this, I further developed granulation and industrial-scale manufacturing techniques for facet-tailored nanomaterials. I also collaborated with industrial partner to scale up the production of granular TiO₂ and designed water treatment processes and equipment for pilot-scale applications. This work specifically focused on arsenic removal from geogenic groundwater in Shanxi, China, providing benefits to the local residents. 

I think there are four topics that would be of particular interest:
First, decentralized water treatment systems. These systems are gaining popularity, especially in rural or off-grid areas where large-scale infrastructure is not feasible. Developing cost-effective, robust, and low-maintenance systems that can be easily deployed at the community or household level holds great promise. Second, wastewater reuse and resource recovery. As water scarcity becomes more pressing, wastewater reuse will play a critical role in closing the loop in water management. Additionally, resource recovery from wastewater—such as extracting valuable materials like phosphorus, nitrogen, metals, and energy (e.g., biogas production)—will be an essential area of research. Third, the integration of traditional water chemistry with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Data-driven approaches can help stay at the forefront and predict development trends, such as the development of new materials, providing insights into the innovation of water treatment principles and technologies. Fourth, the water-energy nexus, which requires the efficient integration of diverse water treatment technologies to tackle emerging pollutants and complex water matrices. This approach aims to save energy and costs while promoting sustainability. 

6. What is the secret to a happy scientific life? Or, as a scientific researcher, how to balance life and research work?
The secret to a fulfilling scientific life often lies in a genuine passion for research. When you know you're working on something meaningful and truly enjoy what you do, it enriches your life and provides a sense of fulfillment. Research is often a marathon, not a sprint, and staying focused on topics that genuinely interest you helps maintain motivation during challenging times. When you're passionate about your work, long hours feel less like a chore and more like a meaningful pursuit. Balancing research with other aspects of life requires effective time management. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life ensures that neither dominates the other. Avoid overcommitting—prioritize tasks, stick to deadlines, and still leave room for rest and relaxation. Additionally, it’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Incorporate flexibility and fun into your routine. Research can be mentally taxing, so using relaxation or mindfulness techniques to recharge is essential. Also, don’t hesitate to take breaks, go on vacations, or explore new hobbies outside of research. Sometimes, a change in scenery or a new experience can help reset your mind, allowing you to return to your research with renewed energy.

7. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Yes, I believe the first crucial step is to choose a research topic that truly interests you and holds meaningful value. During the process, it’s important to set realistic goals and expectations, breaking down larger projects into manageable steps. Always keep the bigger picture in mind. In research, setbacks and failures are inevitable, and it’s essential to maintain perspective and not let individual frustrations undermine your sense of purpose. Additionally, cultivate a growth mindset. Research is full of challenges and setbacks, but each one can be seen as an opportunity to learn and improve. Also, embrace collaboration and curiosity—working with others can enrich your own research, and being open to new ideas will help you approach problems with a sense of wonder and innovation. 

8. What qualities of researchers do you think are more conducive to their research progress?
I think there are several qualities that play a significant role in the progress and success of a researcher. Some of the most important qualities include passion and motivation, curiosity and a love for learning, persistence and resilience, critical thinking and expertise, creativity and innovation, self-confidence and independence, effective communication, organization and time management, and ethical integrity. These traits not only contribute to conducting high-quality research but also help in navigating the inevitable challenges that arise during the scientific process. 

9. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
I view open access as a crucial step toward making scientific knowledge more equitable, accessible, and impactful. It represents a positive development for both the scientific community and society at large, promoting the democratization of knowledge, facilitating faster dissemination of research, and opening new opportunities for collaboration and innovation. However, like any model, open access does come with its challenges. Issues such as the publication fees, quality control, and overwhelming volume of content remain significant concerns that need to be addressed. Overall, I see open access as a positive trend, but it requires ongoing refinement to ensure it is accessible to all researchers and supports the long-term sustainability of the academic publishing ecosystem. 

10. Do you have any suggestions for Separations journal?
To elevate the journal’s impact, it could focus more on high-impact, interdisciplinary research that links separations technology with emerging fields such as sustainability, renewable energy, biotechnology, and advanced materials. The journal might also dedicate sections to cutting-edge technologies like membrane-based separations, new chromatographic techniques, or novel materials that enhance efficiency or reduce environmental impacts. Beyond traditional written content, incorporating multimedia elements such as interactive diagrams, videos of experimental setups or processes, and 3D models of complex systems could provide added value.
Other strategies to consider include prioritizing application-oriented papers, enhancing the peer review process, organizing special issues and thematic collections, strengthening the diversity of the editorial board, fostering global collaboration and outreach, incorporating review articles and perspectives, and introducing platforms for post-publication discussions.

For more information about the awards presented by Separations, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/separations/awards. 

Separations Editorial Office

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Separations 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Award. The Separations (ISSN: 2297-8739) Editorial Board and editorial team wish to acknowledge the time and energy dedicated by reviewers to checking manuscripts submitted to this journal. It is due to their efforts that the high-quality reputation and quick turnaround of Separations are maintained.

Winners:

• Dr. Filipe Buarque, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
• Dr. Marija R. Popović-Nikolić, University of Belgrade, Serbia;
• Prof. Dr. Alien Blanco-Flores, National Technological of Mexico, Mexico.

Prizes:

• CHF 400 and an electronic certificate;
• A voucher for free article processing valid for one year.

Separations Editorial Office

1. “Extraction of Phycocyanin and Chlorophyll from Spirulina by “Green Methods””
by Krastena Nikolova, Nadezhda Petkova, Dasha Mihaylova, Galia Gentscheva, Georgi Gavrailov, Ivaylo Pehlivanov and Velichka Andonova
Separations 2024, 11(2), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11020057
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/2/57

2. “Extraction and Purification of Catechins from Tea Leaves: An Overview of Methods, Advantages, and Disadvantages”
by Oana Cioanca, Ionut-Iulian Lungu, Ioana Mita-Baciu, Silvia Robu, Ana Flavia Burlec, Monica Hancianu and Florina Crivoi
Separations 2024, 11(6), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11060171
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/6/171

3. “Immunochromatographic Detection of Human Blood: A Forensic Review”
by Calogero Cuttaia, Barbara Di Stefano, Solange Sorçaburu Ciglieri, Raffaella Vetrini, Carlo Previderè and Paolo Fattorini
Separations 2024, 11(3), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11030066
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/3/66

4. “Bioactive Compounds from Spirulina spp.—Nutritional Value, Extraction, and Application in Food Industry”
by Blaženko Marjanović, Maja Benković, Tamara Jurina, Tea Sokač Cvetnić, Davor Valinger, Jasenka Gajdoš Kljusurić and Ana Jurinjak Tušek
Separations 2024, 11(9), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11090257
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/9/257

5. “Potential of Deep Eutectic Solvents in the Extraction of Organic Compounds from Food Industry By-Products and Agro-Industrial Waste”
by Maja Molnar, Dajana Gašo-Sokač, Mario Komar, Martina Jakovljević Kovač and Valentina Bušić
Separations 2024, 11(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11010035
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/1/35

6. “An LC-MS/MS Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of Insulin, Cortisol, Glucagon-like Peptide 1, Ghrelin, and Osteocalcin”
by Zhichao Zhang, Hareem Siddiqi, Yu-Ping Huang, Shannon McClorry, Peng Ji, Daniela Barile and Carolyn M. Slupsky
Separations 2024, 11(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11020041
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/2/41

7. “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
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/7/196

8. “Accelerated Development of AAV Purification Process Using a High-Throughput and Automated Crossflow System”
by Sónia Mendes, Tiago Q. Faria, André Nascimento, Marc Noverraz, Franziska Bollmann, Piergiuseppe Nestola, António Roldão, Cristina Peixoto and Ricardo J. S. Silva
Separations 2024, 11(3), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11030073
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/3/73

9. “Development and Validation of an LC-MS/MS Method for the Determination of Plasma and Red Blood Cell Omega Fatty Acids: A Useful Diagnostic Tool”
by Lénárd Farczádi, Minodora Dobreanu, Adina Huțanu and Silvia Imre
Separations 2024, 11(5), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11050140
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/5/140

10. “Chemical Characterization of Human Body Odor Headspace Components”
by A. Celeste Medrano, Ariela Cantu, Edgar O. Aviles-Rosa, Nathaniel J. Hall, Michele N. Maughan, Jenna D. Gadberry and Paola A. Prada-Tiedemann
Separations 2024, 11(3), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11030085
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/3/85

11. “A Hydrothermal Synthesis Process of ZSM-5 Zeolite for VOCs Adsorption Using Desilication Solution”
by Zhenhua Sun, Qingxiang Shu, Qikun Zhang, Shaopeng Li, Ganyu Zhu, Chenye Wang, Jianbo Zhang, Huiquan Li and Zhaohui Huang
Separations 2024, 11(2), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11020039
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/2/39

The International Day of Zero Waste, jointly facilitated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), highlights the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to address the waste pollution crisis. 

Waste pollution threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars every year, and aggravates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature, land, and biodiversity loss, as well as pollution and waste. 

This year’s International Day of Zero Waste, with the theme of “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”, emphasizes the need for action in the fashion and textile sector to reduce waste and advance circular solutions. 

We hope that established journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI, including Applied Sciences, Atmosphere, Clean Technologies, Environments, Foods, Nanomaterials, Recycling, Resources, Separations, Sustainability, Urban Science and Waste, will provide an invaluable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding zero waste.

“Recycling of Multilayer Flexible Packaging Waste Through Delamination with Recoverable Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvents”
by Roberta Mastroddi, Chiara Samorì, Martina Vagnoni, Chiara Gualandi, Paola Galletti and Emilio Tagliavini
Separations 2025, 12(2), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020045

“Integration of Circular Economy and Urban Metabolism for a Resilient Waste-Based Sustainable Urban Environment”
by Konstantina Ragazou, Georgia Zournatzidou, George Sklavos and Nikolaos Sariannidis
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040175

“Use of Vegetable Waste for New Ecological Methods in Wool Fibre Treatments”
by Simona Gavrilaș, Mihaela Dochia, Andreea-Raluca Sărsan, Bianca-Denisa Chereji and Florentina-Daniela Munteanu
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1326-1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040063

“Circular Bioeconomy in Action: Transforming Food Wastes into Renewable Food Resources”
by Priti Pal, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Rajesh Kumar Srivastava, Saurabh Singh Rathore, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Sanjukta Subudhi, Prakash Kumar Sarangi and Piotr Prus
Foods 2024, 13(18), 3007; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13183007

“Review on Sustainable Construction and Demolition Waste Management—Challenges and Research Prospects”
by Noushin Islam, Malindu Sandanayake, Shobha Muthukumaran and Dimuth Navaratna
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3289; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083289

“Enhanced Extraction of Carotenoids from Tomato Industry Waste Using Menthol/Fatty Acid Deep Eutectic Solvent”
by Despoina Vlachoudi, Theodoros Chatzimitakos, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Eleni Bozinou and Stavros I. Lalas
Waste 2023, 1(4), 977-992; https://doi.org/10.3390/waste1040056

“Waste Management in the Smart City: Current Practices and Future Directions”
by Danuta Szpilko, Antonio de la Torre Gallegos, Felix Jimenez Naharro, Agnieszka Rzepka and Angelika Remiszewska
Resources 2023, 12(10), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12100115

“Modern Technologies for Waste Management: A Review”
by Wojciech Czekała, Jędrzej Drozdowski and Piotr Łabiak
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(15), 8847; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13158847

“Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management in Italy According to EU Directives”
by Patrizia Ghisellini, Renato Passaro and Sergio Ulgiati
Environments 2023, 10(7), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10070106

“Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 3D Concrete Printing and Casting Processes for Cementitious Materials Incorporating Ground Waste Tire Rubber”
by Matteo Sambucci, Ilario Biblioteca and Marco Valente
Recycling 2023, 8(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8010015

“Challenges and Opportunities in Plastic Waste Management” Guest Editors: Dr. Wan-Ting (Grace) Chen and Dr. Daniel Lachos-Perez Submission deadline: 1 July 2025	“Waste Valorization and Management to Increase the Resources Sustainability” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Lisandro Simão and Prof. Dr. Marcelo Tramontin Souza Submission deadline: 31 July 2025
“Emerging Technologies for Waste Treatment, Pollution Control and Resource Recovery” Guest Editors: Dr. Cheng-Han Lee, Dr. Hsing Jung Ho and Dr. Fan-Wei Liu Submission deadline: 1 August 2025	“New Trends in Liquid and Solid Effluent Treatment” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Gassan Hodaifa, Dr. Mha Albqmi and Dr. Zacharias Frontistis Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers that were published in our journal Separations (ISSN: 2297-8739) in 2023.

The following is a list of articles that may be of interest to you:

1. “Removal of Azo Dyes from Wastewater through Heterogeneous Photocatalysis and Supercritical Water Oxidation”
by Vincenzo Vaiano and Iolanda De Marco
Separations 2023, 10(4), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10040230
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/4/230

2. “Green Extraction Techniques for the Determination of Active Ingredients in Tea: Current State, Challenges, and Future Perspectives”
by Ioulia Maria Koina, Yiannis Sarigiannis and Evroula Hapeshi
Separations 2023, 10(2), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10020121
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/2/121

3. “Health-Promoting Potential of Millet: A Review”
by Ashfak Ahmed Sabuz, Md Rahmatuzzaman Rana, Tanvir Ahmed, Mohammad Mainuddin Molla, Nazmul Islam, Hafizul Haque Khan, Golam Ferdous Chowdhury, Qingyu Zhao and Qun Shen
Separations 2023, 10(2), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10020080
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/2/80

4. “Potential of Advanced Oxidation as Pretreatment for Microplastics Biodegradation”
by Kristina Bule Možar, Martina Miloloža, Viktorija Martinjak, Matija Cvetnić, Hrvoje Kušić, Tomislav Bolanča, Dajana Kučić Grgić and Šime Ukić
Separations 2023, 10(2), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10020132
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/2/132

5. “Extraction and Analysis of Chemical Compositions of Natural Products and Plants”
by Mengjie Zhang, Jinhua Zhao, Xiaofeng Dai and Xiumei Li
Separations 2023, 10(12), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10120598
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/12/598

6. “Application of Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks in Environmental Remediation: Recent Advances and Future Trends”
by Yu Zhang, Mengfei Tian, Zahid Majeed, Yuxin Xie, Kaili Zheng, Zidan Luo, Chunying Li and Chunjian Zhao
Separations 2023, 10(3), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10030196
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/3/196

7. “Recent Clay-Based Photocatalysts for Wastewater Treatment”
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