Phase Change and Ovonic Nanomaterials: Structure, Properties, and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Chalcogenide phase-change materials are characterized by unique properties that can be exploited for data-storage applications. Phase-change memories (PCMs) work by reversibly and rapidly switching a phase-change material from an ordered crystalline state with high electrical conductivity to an amorphous disordered state with low conductivity. An electrical/optical pulse thermally induces the transition between the two states. To fully utilize the potential of the phase-change materials, a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the atomic structure before and after the switching phenomena and its solid-state properties is necessary. Moreover, multi-level memories and the realization of neuromorphic computing is achievable due to the excellent scalability, fast switching speed and low energy consumption of PCMs.

This Special Issue will publish research and review papers on the fundamentals and applications of phase-change materials. It should provide an overview of the state-of-the-art developments from experimental and theoretical points of view. It is my pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue.

Dr. Alin Velea
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.