Announcements

We are pleased to announce that the inaugural Michele Parrinello Award has been conferred upon Prof. Ursula Röthlisberger, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to computational chemistry and molecular simulation, particularly through her pioneering work in ab initio molecular dynamics and QM/MM multiscale simulation methods. This award celebrates researchers whose work embodies the spirit of scientific innovation and rigor that Professor Parrinello has championed throughout his career. We warmly congratulate Prof. Röthlisberger on this well-deserved recognition.

The achievements of Prof. Ursula Röthlisberger highlight the profound impact of computational methods on our understanding of complex chemical, biological, and materials systems. We invite the global scientific community to join us in celebrating her outstanding contributions to computational science.

“Professor Ursula Röthlisberger has been recognized by the 2026 Michele Parrinello Award Committee as an exceptional leader in computational chemistry and molecular simulation. Her innovative research has significantly advanced the predictive modeling of complex chemical and biological systems and has created lasting impact across multiple scientific disciplines. Through her outstanding scientific achievements, dedication to education, and leadership in the international research community, she has played a vital role in shaping the development of modern computational science.”

—Prof. Dr. Xin-Gao Gong, Chair of the Award Committee

2026 Michele Parrinello Award Laureate

2026 Award Committee

Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. Xin-Gao Gong, Fudan University, China.

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Alessandro Laio, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Italy;
• Prof. Michiel Sprik, University of Cambridge, UK;
• Prof. David J. Srolovitz, the University of Hong Kong, China;
• Prof. Mark E. Tuckerman, New York University, USA;
• Prof. Su-Huai Wei, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, China.

Note: The 2026 Award Committee comprises six members, including one anonymous member.

2026 Award Ceremony
The inaugural Michele Parrinello Award Ceremony will take place on 7 November 2026, at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China, as part of the 2026 MDPI Materials Science Conference. Further information and updates will be available on the official Michele Parrinello Award website.

About the Michele Parrinello Award
The Michele Parrinello Award was established in November 2025 to honor Professor Michele Parrinello’s enduring legacy in advancing computational science. This biennial international award recognizes senior researchers who have made outstanding contributions to computational physical sciences, encompassing physics, chemistry, and materials science. The recipient will receive a monetary prize of 50,000 EUR, a commemorative medal, and a certificate.

For further information about the award and the laureate, please visit the Michele Parrinello Award website.

Conference: 2026 Annual Conference on Quantum Cryptography of the Chinese Cryptography Society (CryptoQC 2026)
Date: 14–16 August 2026
Place: Shanghai, China

We are pleased to announce that MDPI will attend the 2026 Annual Conference on Quantum Cryptography of the Chinese Cryptography Society as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Shanghai, China, from 14 to 16 August 2026.

The purpose of CryptoQC 2026 is to bring together domestic experts, scholars, engineers, technicians, and graduate students engaged in research related to the field of quantum cryptography. It will focus on the frontier progress and integrated applications of quantum key distribution (QKD), actively facilitate exchanges on standardization and application promotion, conduct in-depth discussions on the opportunities and challenges ahead, and promote academic and technological exchange and collaboration in the field of quantum cryptography.

The following MDPI journals will be presenting at the conference:

• Cryptography;
• Entropy;
• Axioms;
• AppliedMath;
• JCP;
• Network;
• Computers;
• Information;
• Quantum Reports;
• Mathematics;
• Future Internet.

If you are planning to attend the conference, please feel free to 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://www.cacrnet.org.cn/site/content/1736.html.

MDPI is pleased to announce the Award Committee for the inaugural Michele Parrinello Award, presented alongside the announcement of the 2026 laureate.

Established in 2025 in honor of Prof. Michele Parrinello’s pioneering contributions to atomistic simulation and computational science, the Michele Parrinello Award is presented biennially to recognize distinguished senior scientists who have made significant contributions to computational physical sciences, encompassing physics, chemistry, and materials science, with particular emphasis on fundamental research.

To ensure the highest standards of evaluation, the Award Committee brings together internationally recognized experts whose expertise spans computational physical sciences, including physics, chemistry, and materials science. Chaired by a distinguished scientist in the field, the committee provides independent perspectives to evaluate nominations based on rigor, integrity, and academic excellence.

Committee Chair:

Committee Members:

Note: The 2026 Award Committee comprises six members, including one anonymous member.

We sincerely thank the committee members for their valuable contributions and dedication to the Michele Parrinello Award. Their expertise and commitment are essential to maintaining the academic excellence and integrity of this international award.

For more information about the Michele Parrinello Award, please visit the official award website: https://mparrinelloaward.org/.

Conference: The 2026 Conference on Complex Systems (CCS 2026)
Date: 9–16 October 2026
Location: Binghamton, USA

MDPI will be attending the 2026 Conference on Complex Systems (CCS 2026) as an exhibitor, from 12 to 16 October 2026, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

CCS 2026, the flagship international conference of the Complex Systems Society, will take place in Binghamton, New York, USA.

Relevant topics of CCS 2026 include (but are not limited to):

• Theoretical foundations of complex systems;
• Nonlinear dynamics and chaos;
• Systems theory, information theory, and systems science;
• Game theory, decision theory, and socio-economic applications;
• Self-organization, pattern formation, and collective behavior;
• Structure and dynamics of complex networks;
• Sustainability and adaptability of complex systems;
• Bio-inspired systems, machine learning, and evolutionary computation;
• Data-driven approaches to complex systems;
• Applications to the humanities, art, and literature;
• Historical and philosophical aspects of complex systems;
• Complex systems and education.

CCS 2026 will be held primarily in person on Binghamton University’s main campus, with an option to join online via Zoom.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Entropy;
• Systems;
• Big Data and Cognitive Computing;
• Dynamics;
• Information;
• Physics;
• Complexities;
• Mathematics.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to reach out to us online. Our conference representatives look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information, please visit https://ccs26.cssociety.org/.

Review articles play a vital role in shaping research directions via synthesizing current knowledge, identifying gaps, and laying the groundwork for future innovation. We are proud to share a selection of highly cited review papers published in Entropy (ISSN 1099-4300), reflecting the topics that resonate most deeply with the global research community.

All the articles in our journal are published in open access format; they are free and access is unlimited.

1. “Spin-Based Quantum Energy Devices: From Quantum Thermal Machines to Quantum Batteries”
by Suman Chand, Riccardo Grazi, Niccolò Traverso Ziani and Dario Ferraro
Entropy 2026, 28(4), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28040396
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/28/4/396

2. “Human-in-the-Loop Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Review of Concepts, Methods, and Applications”
by Konstantinos Lazaros, Aristidis G. Vrahatis and Sotiris Kotsiantis
Entropy 2026, 28(4), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28040377
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/28/4/377 

3. “The KPZ Equation of Kinetic Interface Roughening: A Variational Perspective”
by Horacio S. Wio, Roberto R. Deza, Jorge A. Revelli, Rafael Gallego, Reinaldo García-García and Miguel A. Rodríguez
Entropy 2026, 28(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28010055
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/28/1/55

4. “Review of Recent (2015–2024) Popular Entropy Definitions Applied to Physiological Signals”
by Dimitrios Platakis and George Manis
Entropy 2025, 27(9), 983; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27090983
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/9/983

5. “On Enthalpy–Entropy Compensation Characterizing Processes in Aqueous Solution”
by Fiorella Mancini and Giuseppe Graziano
Entropy 2025, 27(7), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27070716
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/7/716

6. “Information Theory Meets Quantum Chemistry: A Review and Perspective”
by Yilin Zhao, Dongbo Zhao, Chunying Rong, Shubin Liu and Paul W. Ayers
Entropy 2025, 27(6), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27060644
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/6/644

7. “A Survey on Semantic Communications in Internet of Vehicles”
by Sha Ye, Qiong Wu, Pingyi Fan and Qiang Fan
Entropy 2025, 27(4), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27040445
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/4/445

8. “Algorithmic Approaches for Assessing Multiscale Irreversibility in Time Series: Review and Comparison”
by Massimiliano Zanin and David Papo
Entropy 2025, 27(2), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27020126
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/2/126

9. “Entropy and Complexity Tools Across Scales in Neuroscience: A Review”
by Rodrigo Cofré and Alain Destexhe
Entropy 2025, 27(2), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27020115
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/2/115

10. “Applications of Entropy in Data Analysis and Machine Learning: A Review”
by Salomé A. Sepúlveda-Fontaine and José M. Amigó
Entropy 2024, 26(12), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26121126
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/12/1126

11. “Machine Learning Advances in High-Entropy Alloys: A Mini-Review”
by Yibo Sun and Jun Ni
Entropy 2024, 26(12), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26121119
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/12/1119

12. “A Roadmap for NF-ISAC in 6G: A Comprehensive Overview and Tutorial”
by Azar Hakimi, Diluka Galappaththige and Chintha Tellambura
Entropy 2024, 26(9), 773; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26090773
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/9/773

13. “Monte Carlo Based Techniques for Quantum Magnets with Long-Range Interactions”
by Patrick Adelhardt, Jan A. Koziol, Anja Langheld and Kai P. Schmidt
Entropy 2024, 26(5), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26050401
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/5/401

14. “To Compress or Not to Compress—Self-Supervised Learning and Information Theory: A Review”
by Ravid Shwartz Ziv and Yann LeCun
Entropy 2024, 26(3), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26030252
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/3/252

15. “Theories of Relativistic Dissipative Fluid Dynamics”
by Gabriel S. Rocha, David Wagner, Gabriel S. Denicol, Jorge Noronha and Dirk H. Rischke
Entropy 2024, 26(3), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26030189
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/3/189

For more information, please visit the Entropy journal website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/entropy.

Following numerous requests from prospective participants, the organizing committee of The 1st International Conference on Modern Mathematical Physics (ICMMP 2026) has decided to extend the abstract submission deadline to 12 September 2026 to provide additional time for researchers to prepare and submit their contributions.

ICMMP 2026 is jointly organized by the Institute for Advanced Study in Physics of Zhejiang University, the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, MDPI and MDPI’s open access journals Modern Mathematical Physics (ISSN 3024-5034), Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994, IF 2.2) and Mathematics (ISSN 2227-7390, IF 2.3). We are also grateful for the support of the Commission on Academic Exchange of the Chinese Physical Society.

This event will take place from 30 October to 3 November 2026 in Hangzhou, China, and aims to bring together leading researchers and experts from around the world to explore the latest developments in modern mathematical physics.

Honorary Chair:

• Prof. Dr. Changpu Sun, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing, China.

Executive Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Haiqing Lin, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China;
• Prof. Dr. Xiwen Guan, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China;
• Prof. Dr. Murray Batchelor, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

Topics of Interest:
S1. Quantum Field Theory, String & Brane Theory, and Gravitation;
S2. Condensed Matter Physics and Statistical Physics;
S3. Quantum Information and Quantum metrology;
S4. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics;
S5. Nonlinear Dynamics and Computational Physics.

Important Dates:
Abstract Submission Deadline: 12 September 2026;
Abstract Acceptance Notification: 19 September 2026;
Early Bird Registration Deadline: 26 September 2026;
Covering Author Registration Deadline: 10 October 2026.

Guide for Authors:
To submit your abstract, please click on the following link:  https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1507.

To register for this event, please visit the following website: https://sciforum.net/event/ICMMP2026?section=#registration.

For details regarding abstract submission, poster submission, and publication opportunities, please refer to the “Instructions for Authors” Section: https://sciforum.net/event/ICMMP2026?section=#instructions.

For any enquiries regarding this event, please contact icmmp2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at The 1st International Conference on Modern Mathematical Physics.

Entropy (ISSN 1099-4300) is an open access journal, and all published articles are freely available for reading and download.  Video abstracts are welcomed as an effective way for authors to present their research findings in a vivid and intuitive format. This approach creates a high-quality audiovisual experience that overcomes the limitations of traditional paper-based presentations. We are pleased to share the selected papers with video abstracts published between 2024 and 2026, which we hope will provide valuable insights and reliable references for your research.

1. “From Levin’s Universal Search to Policy-Guided Tree Search”
by Ming Li
Entropy 2026, 28(4), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28040434
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/28/4/434

2. “The Power of the Lorentz Quantum Computer”
by Qi Zhang and Biao Wu
Entropy 2026, 28(3), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28030266
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/28/3/266

3. “Quantum Shannon Information Theory—Design of Communication, Ciphers, and Sensors”
by Osamu Hirota
Entropy 2025, 27(11), 1158; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27111158
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/11/1158

4. “Entropy Production and Irreversibility in the Linearized Stochastic Amari Neural Model”
by Dario Lucente, Giacomo Gradenigo and Luca Salasnich
Entropy 2025, 27(11), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27111104
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/11/1104

5. “Time-of-Flow Distributions in Discrete Quantum Systems: From Operational Protocols to Quantum Speed Limits”
by Mathieu Beau
Entropy 2025, 27(10), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27100996
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/10/996

6. “Measuring the Subjective Passage of Time: A Sociophysics Modeling”
by Serge Galam
Entropy 2024, 26(6), 528; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26060528
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/6/528

7. “A Joint Communication and Computation Design for Probabilistic Semantic Communications”
by Zhouxiang Zhao, Zhaohui Yang, Mingzhe Chen, Zhaoyang Zhang and H. Vincent Poor
Entropy 2024, 26(5), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26050394
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/5/394

8. “Irruption and Absorption: A ‘Black-Box’ Framework for How Mind and Matter Make a Difference to Each Other”
by Tom Froese
Entropy 2024, 26(4), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26040288
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/4/288

For more information, please visit the Entropy journal website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/entropy.

A graphical abstract (GA) is a powerful visual tool that distills the essence of a study into a clear, engaging format, allowing readers to rapidly understand the key findings and significance at a glance. As a crucial element in enhancing visibility, accessibility, and research impact, a well-designed GA can greatly improve how a study is communicated and perceived. To support authors in creating effective and compelling visuals, Entropy (ISSN 1099-4300) has curated 10 outstanding graphical abstracts, offering both inspiration and practical guidance for best practices in scientific visualization.

1. “Emergence of the 2nd Law in an Exactly Solvable Model of a Quantum Wire”
by Marco Antonio Jimenez-Valencia and Charles Allen Stafford
Entropy 2026, 28(3), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28030316
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/28/3/316

2. “The Algorithmic Regulator”
by Giulio Ruffini
Entropy 2026, 28(3), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28030257
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/28/3/257

3. “Thermoelectric Enhancement of Series-Connected Cross-Conjugated Molecular Junctions”
by Justin P. Bergfield
Entropy 2025, 27(10), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27101040
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/10/1040

4. “No-Signaling in Steepest Entropy Ascent: A Nonlinear, Non-Local, Non-Equilibrium Quantum Dynamics of Composite Systems Strongly Compatible with the Second Law”
by Rohit Kishan Ray and Gian Paolo Beretta
Entropy 2025, 27(10), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27101018
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/10/1018

5. “Information Theory Meets Quantum Chemistry: A Review and Perspective”
by Yilin Zhao, Dongbo Zhao, Chunying Rong, Shubin Liu and Paul W. Ayers
Entropy 2025, 27(6), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27060644
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/6/644

6. “Elucidating the Role of the Mixing Entropy in Equilibrated Nanoconfined Reactions”
by Leonid Rubinovich and Micha Polak
Entropy 2025, 27(6), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27060564
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/6/564

7. “Thermodynamics of Intrinsic Reaction Coordinate (IRC) Chemical Reaction Pathways”
by Frank Weinhold
Entropy 2025, 27(4), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27040390
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/4/390

8. “Kinetic Theory of Self-Propelled Particles with Nematic Alignment”
by Horst-Holger Boltz, Benjamin Kohler and Thomas Ihle
Entropy 2024, 26(12), 1054; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26121054
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/12/1054

9. “Efficient Implementation of Discrete-Time Quantum Walks on Quantum Computers”
by Luca Razzoli, Gabriele Cenedese, Maria Bondani and Giuliano Benenti
Entropy 2024, 26(4), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26040313
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/4/313

10. “Methods to Calculate Entropy Generation”
by Jude A. Osara and Michael D. Bryant
Entropy 2024, 26(3), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26030237
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/26/3/237

For more information, please visit the Entropy journal website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/entropy.

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Best Oral Presentation Awards, sponsored by Entropy (ISSN 1099-4300), at the 2026 Relativistic Thermodynamics Workshop. This event was held from 15 to 17 June 2026 at Newcastle University, UK. Congratulations to Ilaria Dimina and Maciej T. Jarema!

“The Analogue Unruh Effect in Thin-Film Superfluid Helium-4” by Ilaria Dimina
The Unruh effect predicts that uniformly accelerating observers perceive the Minkowski vacuum as a thermal bath, in contrast to inertial observers, yet it remains experimentally unverified. Analogue gravity systems, which exploit the mathematical similarity between surface waves dynamics and field excitations in curved spacetimes, offer the possibility to test for this phenomenon in controlled laboratory settings, with direct implications to quantum field theory in curved spacetime and relativistic thermodynamics. We are currently developing an experiment to test for this effect using thin films of superfluid helium, which act as effective (2+1)-dimensional spacetimes. Their surface height fluctuations, also known as third sound, obey a Klein–Gordon equation with propagation speed analogous to the speed of light. Using a combination of heterodyne interferometry and off-axis digital holography, we are able to observe thin-film surfaces in inertial and non-inertial frames. Our aim is to measure a thermal-like spectrum, analogous to that predicted by Unruh, by introducing a laser beam in circular motion through the film to act as a localised, accelerating detector.

“Measuring and manipulating information in QFT simulators” by Maciej T. Jarema
The encoding of information-theoretic measures, such as entropy and mutual information, across space and time, characterises the structure, history, and complexity of correlations in a system. Accessing information distributions would provide a powerful lens for investigating area laws, thermalization, and non-linear, far-from-equilibrium dynamics—each a topic of interest in quantum many-body systems and quantum field theory.
Analogue QFT simulating experiments can provide the necessary observables to assess to these phenomena by emulating field degrees of freedom with high precision and dynamical control. However, a significant hurdle remains: while analogue simulators offer the platform, extracting information requires access to their full, quantum state. This experimental feat remains largely out of reach beyond small systems and/or simple states.
In this talk, I introduced thin-film superfluid helium experiments (available within the gravity laboratory at the University of Nottingham), summarised their theoretical modelling as a (2+1)-dimensional QFT simulator, and presented a tomography scheme for assessing the Gaussian information contents. I also presented experimental measurements of information area laws in thermal states of strongly interacting ultracold gases that simulate the sine-Gordon scalar field. Finally, I outlined our progress towards monitoring information flow and its active manipulation.

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In June 2026, eleven new journals released their inaugural issues and two transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of environmental & earth sciences, chemistry & materials science, public health & healthcare, engineering, medicine & pharmacology, and biology & life sciences. 

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, enabling impactful open access scholarship. 

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below. 

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).