Announcements

4 March 2026
MDPI’s 2025 Best Paper Awards—Award-Winning Papers Announced


MDPI is honored to announce the recipients of the 2025 Best Paper Awards, celebrating exceptional research for its scientific merit and broad impact. After a rigorous evaluation process conducted by Academic Editors, this year’s awards showcase papers that stand out for their innovation, relevance, and high-quality presentation.

Out of a highly competitive pool, 396 winning papers have been recognized for their exceptional contributions. We congratulate these authors for pushing the boundaries of their respective disciplines.

At MDPI, we are dedicated to broadening the reach of innovative science. To learn more about the award-winning papers and explore research projects in your field of study, please visit the following links:

About MDPI Awards:

To reward the global research community and enhance academic dialogue, MDPI journals regularly host award programs across diverse scientific disciplines. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help raise the influence of talented individuals who have been credited with outstanding achievements and whose work drives the advancement of their fields.

Explore the Best Paper Awards open for participation, please click here.

 

9 April 2026
World Quantum Day, 14 April 2026


World Quantum Day, observed annually on 14 April, celebrates the importance of quantum science and technology and raises public awareness of its role in shaping the future. The date 14 April references 4.14, the rounded first digits of Planck’s constant, a fundamental constant at the heart of quantum physics. World Quantum Day highlights how quantum research continues to expand our understanding of the universe while driving innovation across computing, communication, sensing, materials, and other emerging technologies.

In recognition of World Quantum Day, MDPI reaffirms its commitment to advancing cutting-edge and interdisciplinary research. Through open access publishing, we support the dissemination of discoveries in quantum science, applied physics, engineering, and related fields—ensuring knowledge is accessible and empowering researchers to contribute to the next generation of scientific and technological breakthroughs.

Physics Galaxies; Photonics;
Atoms; Magnetism; Physics;
Dynamics; Optics; Quantum Reports;
Entropy; Particles; Time and Space;
Foundations; Plasma; Universe.
Computer Science & Mathematics    
Symmetry.    

Session 1 Session 2 Session 3
Date: 14 April 2026
Time: 4:00 (CEST)
Webinar ID: 873 5663 7014
Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWQDW2026-1
Register for this webinar for free here.
Date: 14 April 2026
Time: 8:00 (CEST)
Webinar ID: 831 5594 6905
Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWQDW2026-2
Register for this webinar for free here.
Date: 14 April 2026
Time: 14:00 (CEST)
Webinar ID: 894 4233 6040
Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWQDW2026-3
Register for this webinar for free here.

Quantum-Spacetime Perspective on the KM3-230213A Neutrino
by Giovanni Amelino-Camelia, Giacomo D’Amico, Giuseppe Fabiano, Domenico Frattulillo, Giulia Gubitosi, Alessandro Moia and Giacomo Rosati
Time Space 2026, 2(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/timespace2010002

Dynamics of Information Quantifiers in the Damped Rabi Oscillator
by Flavia Pennini and Angelo Plastino
Foundations 2026, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/foundations6010005

Enhanced Quantum Dot Emission in Fibonacci Photonic Crystal Cavities Optimized for PECVD-Compatible Porous Silicon: A Computational Study
by J. E. Mastache-Mastache, M. C. González, H. Martínez and B. Reyes-Ramírez
Plasma 2026, 9(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma9010001

Generalized Miller Formulae for Quantum Anharmonic Oscillators
by Maximilian T. Meyer and Arno Schindlmayr
Dynamics 20255(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/dynamics5030034

Intertwined Orders and the Physics of High Temperature Superconductors
by Eduardo Fradkin
Particles 2025, 8(3), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/particles8030070

Electro-Optical Modulation of the Nonlinear Optical Response in a GaAs/AlGaAs Symmetric Multiple Quantum Well System
by Carlos Alberto Dagua-Conda, John Alexander Gil-Corrales, Rebeca Victoria Herrero-Hahn, Miguel Eduardo Mora-Ramos, Alvaro Luis Morales and Carlos Alberto Duque
Physics 2025, 7(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics7020022

Measurement-Induced Symmetry Restoration and Quantum Mpemba Effect
by Giuseppe Di Giulio, Xhek Turkeshi and Sara Murciano
Entropy 2025, 27(4), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27040407

Statistics of Quantum Numbers for Non-Equivalent Fermions in Single-j Shells
by Jean-Christophe Pain
Atoms 2025, 13(4), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms13040025

Quantum-Ordering Ambiguities in Weak Chern—Simons 4D Gravity and Metastability of the Condensate-Induced Inflation
by Panagiotis Dorlis, Nick E. Mavromatos and Sotirios-Neilos Vlachos.
Universe 2025, 11(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe11010015

A Comprehensive Review of Quantum Circuit Optimization: Current Trends and Future Directions
by Krishnageetha Karuppasamy, Varun Puram, Stevens Johnson and Johnson P. Thomas
Quantum Rep. 20257(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/quantum7010002

Magnetic Hopfions: A Review
by Konstantin Guslienko
Magnetism 2024, 4(4), 383-399; https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetism4040025

de Broglie, General Covariance and a Geometric Background to Quantum Mechanics
by Basil Hiley and Glen Dennis
Symmetry 2024, 16(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16010067

“Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation
Guest Editors: Dr. Peng Xu, Prof. Dr. Dong Wang, Dr. Wei Xiong
Deadline for submissions: 20 June 2026
“Quantum Theory 100 Years Later: Advances on Foundations and Applications
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Iver H. Brevik, Prof. Dr. Roberto Passante and Prof. Dr. Akbar Salam
Deadline for submissions: 30 June 2026
“Superconducting Spin Dynamics and Quantum Effects
Guest Editor: Dr. Yunyan Yao
Deadline for submissions: 30 June 2026
“New Horizons in Antiferromagnetic Spintronics: Exotic Ground States and Device Prospects
Guest Editors: Dr. Pingfan Gu, Dr. Yuxuan Peng and Dr. Shiqi Yang
Deadline for submissions: 31 July 2026
Quantum Technologies in Cold Atomic Systems
Guest Editor: Dr. Andrea Richaud
Deadline for submissions: 31 August 2026
Photoacoustic Imaging and Sensing: New Developments and Horizons
Guest Editors: Dr. Mario Siciliani de Cumis, Dr. Stefano Dello Russo and Dr. Jacopo Pelini
Deadline for submissions: 20 October 2026

The 2nd Electronic Conference on Universe
Organizers: MDPI and Universe
Volume Editor: Lorenzo Iorio


Highlights

Click here to read the full list of papers.

2 April 2026
2026 Tu Youyou Award—Open for Nominations


We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.

31 March 2026
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO’s Letter #33 - 2025 Annual Report, Preprints.org, IWD, Recapping Viruses 2026 & Romania Salon

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

Scaling Open Access with Integrity: MDPI Annual Report 2025

I am pleased to share the release of MDPI’s 2025 Annual Report, reflecting our continued progress as one of the world’s leading open access publishers. The report highlights not only our growth, but also the continued evolution of our publishing model and our commitment to quality, transparency, and collaboration.

You can explore the full report here: https://mdpi-res.com/data/mdpi_annual_report_2025_0401.pdf?1775045421

Or visit the interactive page: https://www.mdpi.com/annual-report-2025/

A Year of Growth and Responsibility

2025 was a year of significant growth for MDPI. We received over 669,000 manuscript submissions, the highest in our history, while maintaining a rejection rate above 60%, reinforcing our commitment to both scale and quality.

We published 261,576 peer-reviewed open access articles across a portfolio of 500 journals, supported by a global community of more than 68,000 Editorial Board Members and 209,000 reviewers.

Scaling with Integrity

Growth alone is not the objective; how we grow matters.

Our 2025 Annual Report, Scaling Open Access with Integrity, reflects our continued focus on building the systems and processes that support reliable and trustworthy publishing. As submission volumes increase globally, so too does the importance of robust editorial workflows, research integrity frameworks, and the infrastructure required to support them.

In 2025, we continued to invest in:

  • Research integrity and quality assurance processes
  • Editorial support and reviewer engagement
  • Transparency across the publishing workflow

These efforts ensure that scale does not come at the expense of rigor, but rather reinforces it.

Validation Through Indexing and Visibility

As MDPI continues to grow, validation of quality remains essential.

In 2025, the number of MDPI journals indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection increased from 298 to 329, while Scopus coverage reached 355 journals, including 45 new acceptances. Coverage in major biomedical databases (PMC/Medline/PubMed) expanded to 95 journals, and indexing in Ei Compendex increased significantly.

These milestones reflect the strength of our editorial processes and the trust placed in our journals by independent indexing bodies.

Importantly:

  • 96% of all MDPI articles are indexed in Web of Science databases
  • More than 1.75 million articles are indexed, with an average of 13 citations per article

Recognition through Journal Citation Reports also continues to grow:

  • 298 journals received Impact Factors
  • 65% ranked in the top half of their categories
  • 61 journals achieved top-quartile positions

These developments demonstrate that growth and quality are advancing together, supported by strong editorial oversight and consistent performance across our journal portfolio.

Strengthening Partnerships and Community

Open access is a collaborative endeavor.

In 2025, we expanded our institutional partnerships to more than 1,000 IOAP agreements, helping simplify publishing for researchers and institutions worldwide.

We also hosted 60 in-person conferences and virtual events, bringing together more than 28,000 participants to exchange ideas, share research, and strengthen connections across the global scientific community.

At the heart of everything we do is this community of authors, editors, reviewers, and partners who make open science possible.

Looking Ahead

Open access continues to move toward becoming the standard model for sharing research globally. With that growth comes increased responsibility.

Our focus moving forward is to continue building a publishing ecosystem that is:

  • Collaborative, to serve the research community
  • Rigorous, to ensure quality
  • Transparent, to support trust
  • Scalable, to meet global demand

We believe that open access, when combined with strong editorial standards and integrity, is the most effective way to accelerate scientific progress.

Thank you to all the scholarly community who collaborated with us and our MDPI staff for your continued dedication and contributions in making 2025 a successful year.

Impactful Research

Celebrating Ten Years of Preprints.org: Accelerating Open Research

In 2026, MDPI’s preprints server Preprints.org marked its 10th anniversary as a platform dedicated to accelerating the dissemination of research. Since its launch, Preprints.org has grown into a global platform that hosts more than 120,000 preprints contributed by hundreds of thousands of researchers worldwide, generating tens of millions of views and downloads and demonstrating the value of sharing research openly and rapidly.

At MDPI, we are proud to celebrate ten years of Preprints.org supporting the mission of open science. Over the past decade, we have seen how early sharing of research can accelerate collaboration and help ideas move more quickly from discovery to impact.

The Evolution of Preprints

While Preprints.org launched in 2016, the idea behind it has deeper roots. The concept of rapid research dissemination has existed for decades, with early preprint servers showing how open sharing can accelerate scientific progress.

Over the past decade, preprints have become an increasingly important part of scholarly communication. Researchers across disciplines are looking at faster ways to share their discoveries, exchange ideas, and receive feedback from the global scientific community.

Preprints in a Growing Research Ecosystem

The global preprint landscape has expanded significantly over the past decade, with multiple platforms serving different research communities. The figure below (sourced from James Butcher newsletter), based on data from Dimensions (Digital Science), shows the growth of preprint outputs across several major platforms over time.

Among these platforms, arXiv (the pioneering preprint server) has experienced great growth in recent years. At the same time, other platforms have continued to expand their reach across disciplines, capturing increasing global interest in early research sharing.

Preprints.org contributes to this evolving ecosystem by providing a multidisciplinary platform that works in synergy with academic journals, helping researchers bridge the gap between rapid dissemination and the formal publication process.

Celebrating the First Decade

To commemorate this milestone, Preprints.org launched a 10th Anniversary celebration hub highlighting the impact of preprints and the researchers who contribute to them.

One of the central initiatives is the Popular Preprints of the Decade Award, recognizing influential preprints published between 2016 and 2026 across multiple research fields. Through community voting, the award will recognize research that has generated high engagement and visibility within the global research community.

Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of Preprints

As research communication continues to evolve, preprints will continue to play an important role in enabling faster collaboration, improving transparency, and expanding access to knowledge. The next decade may bring further integration between preprint platforms and journals, new tools for discovery and evaluation, and greater global participation in open science.

At MDPI, we remain committed to supporting researchers through platforms that encourage the open exchange of ideas. The success of Preprints.org over the past ten years reflects the engagement and trust of the global research community – authors, readers, reviewers, and collaborators who believe in the value of sharing knowledge openly.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the development and growth of Preprints.org over the past decade!

Inside MDPI

Beyond International Women’s Day: Supporting Women in Research

International Women’s Day (IWD) offers an opportunity to recognize the achievements of women around the world and reflect on how we can continue building a more inclusive future. In research and academia, this conversation carries particular importance, as scientific progress depends on diverse perspectives, and supporting women in science is essential to strengthening the global research ecosystem.

For MDPI, IWD is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in research and highlight the initiatives, conversations, and collaborations that help support researchers across disciplines and career stages.

Highlighting Women in Science Across MDPI

This year, MDPI marked International Women’s Day with a global campaign highlighting research, awards, and perspectives that support women in science. Throughout the week, our teams shared content across MDPI’s social media channels sharing the work of women researchers and encouraging engagement across the academic community.

As part of this initiative, MDPI published several blog articles exploring important themes related to gender equity in research. One article, Give Support, Gain Progress: Retaining Women in Science, discusses the importance of mentorship, institutional support, and inclusive research environments in helping women build sustainable scientific careers.

Another featured article, Bridging the Gap in Women’s Health Research, highlights the ongoing need to address disparities in health research and ensure that women’s health receives the scientific attention and investment it deserves.

These topics capture the notion that supporting women in science benefits not only individual researchers but the entire scientific community. When researchers from diverse backgrounds can contribute their perspectives and ideas, the scope and impact of scientific discovery expand.

Creating Spaces for Dialogue

Beyond online content, MDPI is also supporting conversations about women in research through community engagement.

On 10 March, MDPI UK hosted the “Women in Research” event, bringing together researchers and professionals to share experiences and discuss the opportunities and challenges women face throughout their scientific careers. Events like these are an opportunity for open dialogue, mentorship, and networking to create more inclusive research communities.

Looking Beyond a Single Day

While IWD is an important moment of recognition, progress requires ongoing effort.

Supporting women in research involves many forms of engagement: from mentorship and collaboration to creating inclusive environments in which diverse voices are heard and valued. Publishers, institutions, and researchers all play a role in building this ecosystem.

At MDPI, we remain committed to supporting the global research community and to promoting open access publishing as a foundation for accessible and inclusive knowledge-sharing.

As we reflect on IWD this year, we recognize the many women who contribute to research as authors, reviewers, editors, mentors, and educators; we also recognize the impact they continue to have on the advancement of science. The influence of women in research extends far beyond a single day of recognition, reminding us that supporting them is a commitment that continues throughout the year.

Coming Together for Science

Highlights from Viruses 2026 – New Horizons in Virology (11–13 March)

Through 11–13 March, we successfully delivered the Viruses 2026 – New Horizons in Virology MDPI conference in Barcelona, bringing together an international community of researchers, editors, and partners dedicated to advancing the field of virology.

Conference Highlights

Viruses 2026 in numbers:

  • 198 total registrations, with 171 attendees on site
  • 233 submissions, with 122 accepted
  • 42 short talks, 9 flash talks, and 80 posters
  • 13 invited speakers and 1 keynote speaker

The strong level of participation and quality of submissions once again demonstrate the relevance of the Viruses community.

A standout moment was the keynote lecture by Dr. Ho, which also attracted an NBC documentary film crew, highlighting the broader impact of the research being presented.

Scientific Programme

The conference programme covered areas across modern virology, including viral replication, pathogenesis, immunology, and public health. Sessions explored topics on antiviral therapeutics and vaccines, innate immunity, virus–host interactions, and the structure and mechanisms of virus replication.

Together, these discussions highlighted both the fundamental biology of viruses and the translational challenges of addressing emerging infectious diseases, reflecting the breadth and continued importance of virology research in a global context. The programme also included a sponsored workshop on research data management in virology, further emphasizing the importance of data practices in advancing the field.

Thank You

Feedback from participants has been very positive, and I would like to thank the Conference team for the organization and delivery of this year’s event.

Thank you to our Viruses journal team and all colleagues involved behind the scenes in supporting the delivery of the event. As noted by Dr. Eric Freed (EiC of Viruses), the success of this edition gives us strong momentum as we look ahead to the next conference in 2028, with opportunities to further expand participation and engagement.

Closing Thoughts

Recap from MDPI Romania Salon in Cluj-Napoca (24 March)

On 24 March, we had the opportunity to meet with members of the Romanian research community in Cluj-Napoca at our MDPI Romania Salon. The event was a space for presentations, open discussion, and the exchange of perspectives on publishing and the research landscape in Romania.

We welcomed 39 participants, including 27 researchers from institutions across Romania, representing cities such as Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Reșița. Among them were Editorial Board Members, Associate Editors, and Guest Editors, all of whom play an important role in collaborating with MDPI and shaping the quality and direction of academic publishing.

A Shared Commitment to Research Excellence

These events reflect MDPI’s commitment to connecting with and supporting researchers by means of transparency, dialogue, and collaboration. During the day, MDPI colleagues shared a series of presentations covering different parts of our publishing ecosystem:

  • MDPI’s presence in Romania – Anamaria Vartolomei (Journal Relationship Specialist (JRS), Section Managing Editor (ME))
  • MDPI’s performance, growth, and impact in Romania – Stefan Tochev (CEO)
  • Academic services, initiatives, and projects supporting researchers – Ioana Preda (JRS, Section ME)
  • Best practices and standards in publication ethics – Lavinia Rogojina (Research Integrity Manager)
  • Panel session on ethics, AI, and peer review – Lavinia Rogojina, Ioana Preda, Doris Larisa Albu (JRS, Section ME), Cristina Georgiana Spelmezan (JRS, Section ME)
  • Closing remarks – Lavinia Dumitrela Cozma (Operations Manager, Section ME)

Feedback from participants was very positive, particularly regarding the quality of discussions, the relevance of the topics, and the opportunity to engage directly with MDPI colleagues. What stood out most was the openness of the discussion. These events are important not only for the purposes of presenting what we do, but also as an opportunity to listen, understand concerns, and continue to build alignment with the research community.

Romania and the Growth of Open Access Publishing

The Romanian research landscape continues to show growth in open access (OA) publishing.

In 2025:

  • 72% of all publications in Romania were published as OA
  • Of these, 74% were Gold Open Access

Over the past five years, Romania has produced more than 109,000 publications, with approximately 71% available openly, highlighting a sustained shift toward accessibility and knowledge-sharing.

Within this landscape, MDPI continues to play a significant role:

  • MDPI is the leading OA publisher in Romania, contributing 42% of all OA publications in 2025
  • More than 37,000 articles have been published with MDPI by Romanian institutions since 1996
  • This figure includes over 7,500 publications in 2025 alone
  • More than 400 Editorial Board Members from Romania collaborate with MDPI across disciplines

These trends show the growth of OA and the strength of collaboration between MDPI and the Romanian research community.

Looking Ahead

As academic publishing continues to evolve, maintaining open and transparent communication with researchers is essential. Events such as our Salons and Summits provide great opportunities to exchange perspectives and to build trust and collaboration.

Thank you to all participants who joined us in Cluj, and to our teams in Romania for delivering a successful event. A special thank-you to Alina-Florina Agafitei (Marketing Specialist) for her care and attention to detail in delivering the Salon.

Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

25 March 2026
Acknowledging the Contributions of Our Reviewers in 2025


As a pioneer in open access publishing, MDPI maintains rigorous publication standards. This mission relies on the dedication and expertise of our reviewers, who invest their time and knowledge to ensure the quality and integrity of the research we publish.

In 2025, over 209,000 reviewers contributed to the peer-review process at MDPI, providing more than 1.3 million review reports for our journals. To express our gratitude, MDPI’s Reviewer Recognition Program highlights reviewers across over 400 journals, featuring those who have assessed at least one manuscript and agreed to be acknowledged.

In addition, MDPI has identified its Top 1000 Reviewers of 2024 to recognize those whose expertise, dedication, and thoughtful evaluations were particularly outstanding.

Many journals have also established Outstanding Reviewer Awards to honor our reviewers’ commitment to publication excellence. Together with the Exceptional Reviewer List, we showcase the importance of reviewers’ work and their time and dedication.

These initiatives serve to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude towards the whole reviewer community. In recognition of their contributions, we also welcome new researchers to join this community. If you would like to contribute to open access publishing, learn more about the reviewers’ benefits and sign up to join us.

20 March 2026
Meet Us at the EUROPT(R)ODE XVII Conference, 29 March 2026–1 April 2026, Jena, Germany


MDPI will be attending the EUROPT(R)ODE XVII conference, which will be held from 29 March to 1 April 2026, in Jena, Germany.

EUROPT(R)ODE XVII will be hosted in Jena, Germany, the historic “City of Light”, and chaired by Professor Jürgen Popp, Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology. This conference is a flagship international event dedicated to the advancement of chemical and biochemical optical sensing. It will gather leading scientists, engineers, and industry professionals to explore the latest innovations, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and discuss the future direction of the field.

The four-day conference will feature six plenary lectures by world-renowned researchers such as Alexey Gorshkov (USA), Laura Na Liu (Germany), and Ralf Jungmann (Germany). These will be complemented by parallel sessions covering a wide spectrum of topics, from fundamental research in plasmonic, quantum-enhanced sensing and single-molecule detection to applied technologies in wearables, microfluidics and AI-driven data analytics. With over one hundred oral presentations and a dedicated poster session, the conference will showcase cutting-edge work from leading research groups across the globe.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you plan to attend this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth and have 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 link: https://europtrode2026.org/.

9 March 2026
MDPI’s Journal Cluster of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics


Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics is a central pillar of modern physics, devoted to understanding the structure, dynamics, and interactions of matter and light at the most fundamental and controllable scales. This broad and interconnected field explores the behavior of atoms, molecules, ions, photons, and their collective states, as well as the quantum principles governing their interactions. Research in AMO physics spans a wide range of topics, including atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy and precision measurements, quantum optics, ultracold matter, light–matter interaction, coherent control, and photonic technologies. As an inherently interdisciplinary landscape, AMO physics bridges quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, chemical physics, and materials science, while providing essential foundations and enabling technologies for quantum information science, metrology, sensing, and emerging applications across science and engineering.

MDPI’s cluster of journals in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics is dedicated to advancing research in these dynamic and rapidly evolving areas. Each journal in the cluster provides a peer-reviewed platform for original research, theoretical advances, precision measurements, and innovative experimental and conceptual approaches within atomic, molecular, and optical physics. Emphasis is placed on advanced computational and theoretical methods, state-of-the-art experimental techniques, high-precision instrumentation, and interdisciplinary research spanning quantum science, photonics, chemical physics, and materials science. By promoting open access and fostering collaboration across diverse scientific communities, the cluster supports the rapid dissemination of cutting-edge research and aims to accelerate progress in understanding and controlling matter–light interactions from fundamental physics to practical applications.

The eight participating journals are as follows:

  • Entropy (ISSN: 1099-4300) focuses on entropy and information studies. Entropy is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Kevin H. Knuth (Department of Physics, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA);
  • Photonics (ISSN: 2304-6732) focuses on the science and technology of optics and photonics. Photonics is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Nelson Tansu (School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia);
  • Atoms (ISSN: 2218-2004) focuses on all aspects of the atom. Atoms is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Pascal Quinet (1. Physique Atomique et Astrophysique, Université de Mons, B-7000 Mons, Belgium; 2. IPNAS, Université de Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium);
  • Lights (ISSN: 3042-7886) focuses on optics, light, and luminescent sciences and technology. Lights is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Roberto Morandotti (Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique—Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications (INRS), Varennes, QC J3X 1S2, Canada);
  • Optics (ISSN: 2673-3269) focuses on high-impact fundamental research and applications in optics and photonics. Optics is led by Editors-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Costantino De Angelis (Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy) and Prof. Dr. Thomas Seeger (Institut Fluid- und Thermodynamik, Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Siegen, Paul-Bonatz-Straße 9-11, 57076 Siegen, Germany);
  • Plasma (ISSN: 2571-6182) focuses on all aspects of plasma science, such as plasma physics, plasma chemistry and space plasma. Plasma is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Andrey Starikovskiy (NEQLab, Lewes, DE 19958, USA);
  • Physics (ISSN: 2624-8174) focuses on all aspects of physics ranging from fundamental studies to emerging technologies. Physics is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Edward Sarkisyan-Grinbaum (1 Experimental Physics Department, CERN, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland; 2 Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA);
  • Quantum Beam Science (ISSN: 2412-382X) focuses on the application of quantum beams for the study and characterization of materials in their widest sense, as well as developments of quantum beam sources, instrumentation, and facilities. Quantum Beam Science is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Liss (School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia).

Journal

Launch Year

Impact Factor (2024)

CiteScore (2024)

First Decision (Median Days)

Acceptance to Publication (Median Days)

APC (CHF)

1999

2.0

5.2

21.5

2.6

2600

2014

1.9

3.5

15

1.9

2400

2013

1.5

3.1

18.5

4.8

1500

2025

-

-

19

8

1000

2020

1.6

2.6

22.1

6.6

1400

2018

1.7

3.1

19.8

3.4

1400

2019

1.8

3.1

37.8

34.2

1400

2017

1.7

2.8

31.8

6.7

1600

Selected Special Issues:

Quantum Dynamics in Hybrid Systems
Guest Editors: Prof. Haobin Wang and Prof. Ofir E. Alon
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026

Photonic Integrated Circuits for Information, Computing and Sensing
Guest Editors: Dr. Andrea Salamon, Dr. Liam O’Faolain and Dr. Simone Iadanza
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2026

Current Studies and Applications of Radiative and Collisional Processes in Atoms
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Pascal Quinet
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026

Optical Sensing and Optical Communication: Technologies, Systems, and Applications
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Xizheng Ke and Dr. Feng Peng
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026

New Insights into Plasma Theory, Modeling and Predictive Simulations
Guest Editor: Dr. Tariq Rafiq
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026

“Nonlinear Waves and Patterns in Optics, Quantum Matter, and Elsewhere-Devoted to Prof. Boris Malomed’s 70th Birthday and Prof. Alexander Nepomnyashchy’s 75th Birthday
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Dimitrios J. Frantzeskakis, Prof. Dr. Michael Tribelsky, Prof. Dr. Yudong Cui and Prof. Dr. Qin Zhou
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026

Advances in Quantum Beams, Photonic Sources and Laser-Driven Systems
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Sergey Y. Yurish
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026

Selected articles:

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

A Review of Light-Emitting Diodes and Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes and Their Applications
by Trailokya Bhattarai, Abasifreke Ebong and Mohammad Yasin Akhtar Raja
Photonics 2024, 11(6), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11060491

Enhancement of the NORAD-Atomic-Data Database in Plasma
by Sultana N. Nahar and Guillermo Hinojosa-Aguirre
Atoms 2024, 12(4), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms12040022

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Techniques and the Impact of Lighting Conditions on Reconstruction Quality: A Comprehensive Review
by Dimitar Rangelov, Sierd Waanders, Kars Waanders, Maurice van Keulen and Radoslav Miltchev
Lights 2025, 1(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/lights1010001

Introducing Optical Nonlinearity in PDMS Using Organic Solvent Swelling
by Sudhakara Reddy Bongu, Maximilian Buchmüller, Daniel Neumaier and Patrick Görrn
Optics 2024, 5(1), 66–75; https://doi.org/10.3390/opt5010005

Strong, Weak and Merging Lines in Atomic Spectra
by Jean-Christophe Pain
Plasma 2025, 8(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma8020017

Towards Precision Muonic X-ray Measurements of Charge Radii of Light Nuclei
by Ben Ohayon, Andreas Abeln, Silvia Bara, Thomas Elias Cocolios, Ofir Eizenberg, Andreas Fleischmann, Loredana Gastaldo, César Godinho, Michael Heines, Daniel Hengstler et al.
Physics 2024, 6(1), 206–215; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics6010015

Quantum Correlation Enhanced Optical Imaging
by Siddhant Vernekar and Jolly Xavier
Quantum Beam Sci. 2024, 8(3), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs8030019

4 March 2026
9th International Conference on Optics, Photonics and Lasers (OPAL’ 2026), 20–22 May 2026, Ibiza, Spain


Date: 20–22 May 2026
Venue: Ibiza Twiins Hotel
Website: https://opal-conference.com/
Email: opal@sensorsportal.com

The 9th International Conference on Optics, Photonics and Lasers (OPAL’ 2026) in Ibiza (Balearic Islands), Spain, aims to convene leading researchers, engineers, innovators, and industry practitioners to present and discuss the latest advances shaping the future of light-based science and technology. Building on OPAL Conference Series mission of interdisciplinary exchange, OPAL’ 2026 places special emphasis on the new performance, scalability, sustainability, and security challenges emerging as photonics becomes a foundational enabler of quantum technologies, AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, next-generation communications, and precision healthcare.

OPAL’ 2026 is designed as a high-impact forum to accelerate translation from fundamental discovery to deployable systems—spanning optical materials, photonic and optoelectronic devices, lasers, metrology, and real-world applications. We welcome contributions that advance the generation, control, and detection of light across the spectrum (UV to THz), as well as work that integrates photonics with electronics, mechanics, biology, and computation. Particular attention is encouraged for research addressing reliability, packaging, manufacturability, energy efficiency, and lifecycle sustainability, reflecting the realities of scaling photonic technologies from laboratory prototypes to industrial and societal deployment.

OPAL’ 2026 also strengthens the conference’s focus on modeling, simulation, data-driven design, and experimental reproducibility, including multi-physics co-design, AI/ML-assisted discovery, digital twins, and benchmarked datasets for photonics. Through keynote lectures, technical sessions, and dedicated networking formats, the conference supports deep technical exchange and new collaborations—helping the community push boundaries in performance while meeting the practical constraints of cost, robustness, safety, and standards.

28 February 2026
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO’s Letter #32 - MDPI China and Thailand, China Science Daily, 1,000 Partnerships, R2R

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

Reflections from China: Year-End-Celebrations and Open Access Publishing

In February, I had the pleasure of joining over a thousand colleagues from our Tongzhou and Haidian offices at their end-of-year annual celebration in Beijing.

Spending time with our teams in China is also a powerful reminder of the scale and complexity of MDPI as a global organization. Our colleagues in Beijing, Wuhan, and across the country play a significant role in our day-to-day operations and long-term development. I’m grateful for the hospitality, collaboration, and commitment shown by our managers and teams in China, alongside colleagues worldwide, who have helped steadily build MDPI, brick by brick, over the years.

Below are some data on Open Access (OA) publishing in China and our collaboration in this important research market.

Open Access Publishing in China

China has been the world’s leading country in research and review article publication volume since 2019, exceeding one million publications in 2025. Over the past five years, the gap between China and the second-ranked country, the United States, has continued to widen.

In 2025:

  • 47% of China’s research output was published Open Access
  • Of those OA publications, 76% were Gold Open Access (approximately 382,930 articles)
  • The overall OA distribution remained stable compared with 2024, with Gold OA increasing by 1%

Over the past five years (2021–2025):

  • China published 4,398,050 research and review articles
  • Approximately 48% of this output was OA

According to Dimensions, when comparing the top 20 countries by publication volume (2021–2025):

  • China ranks 1st worldwide in publication volume
  • China ranks 9th in citation performance within this group (for comparison, the US ranks 2nd in publication volume and 10th in citation ranking)
  • Average citations per article: 12.51

Among the top 10 universities globally by publication volume, six are Chinese institutions, alongside Harvard University (USA), the University of São Paulo (Brazil), the University of Toronto (Canada), and the University of Oxford (UK).

MDPI and China

China is an important and long-standing part of MDPI’s global publishing ecosystem:

  • In 2025, MDPI was the largest fully Open Access publisher in China
  • MDPI published 22% of China’s Gold Open Access output (82,133 papers)
  • We received 290,999 submissions from China-affiliated authors and published 82,133 articles
  • There are 8,500+ active Editorial Board Members based in China
    • 64% (5,438) have an H-index above 26
  • MDPI works with:
    • 117 Editors-in-Chief
    • 103 Section Editors-in-Chief
  • 71 China-based institutions currently hold IOAP agreements with MDPI, seven of which rank among the top 10 Chinese institutions by publication volume

China's scale in research output means that the publishing platforms chosen by Chinese scholars will continue to influence the direction of scholarly publishing. At the same time, MDPI’s strength comes from its international collaboration, with colleagues, editors, reviewers, and authors working together across regions and disciplines.

Thank you to all our colleagues in China, and around the world, who support MDPI’s publishing activities across departments and help advance open access research every day.

Impactful Research

“Progress in open science is built through trust, dialogue, and relationships”

Behind the Scenes: A Conversation with China Science Daily

During my trip to Beijing, I also had the opportunity to visit China Science Daily and take part in an interview and broader exchange with their team in Beijing. Visits like this matter because progress in open science is built not only through platforms and infrastructure, but also through trust, dialogue, and relationships across research communities and regions.

China Science Daily: History Museum

As part of the visit, I was given a tour of their History Museum, which offers a thorough perspective on the evolution of China’s first science and technology newspaper, established in 1959. The exhibition highlights how the organization developed into a trusted institution connecting research with the public and policymakers. It was a helpful reminder that at the core of publishing is stewardship, credibility, and long-term public engagement with science.

An Open Exchange on Open Science

During the visit, I met with Dr. Zhao Yan, Editor-in-Chief of ScienceNet. We had an open and engaging conversation about MDPI’s role in Open Access, the evolution of open science globally, and the potential for more collaboration going forward. He especially appreciated the candid and personal nature of our exchange, noting that this kind of dialogue feels important in a landscape where trust and transparency matter.

Interview on Open Access

I also participated in an interview with Ms. Yan Jie, from the Online Media Center and Editor-in-Chief of ScienceNet, China Science Daily. Our discussion covered the growth of Open Access over the past 30 years, MDPI’s mission and values, academic integrity, collaboration with the Chinese research community, and MDPI’s own 30th anniversary milestone. It was a great opportunity to reflect on how open science has matured, and where shared responsibility across publishers, institutions, and researchers continues to matter most.

“Progress in open science is built by more than scale and infrastructure”

I’m sharing a few photos from the visit as a glimpse behind the scenes. The full interview will be published by China Science Daily in due course, and I look forward to sharing it when it is available.

More broadly, visits like this reinforce something I’ve always believed in: progress in open science is built not only through scale and infrastructure, but also through continued dialogue, mutual respect, collaboration, and a willingness to listen across regions and perspectives. That remains central to our work, especially as MDPI reflects on 30 years of publishing, built together.

Inside MDPI

Bangkok Visit: Growth, Partnership, and Local Impact

In February, I also had the opportunity to visit our Bangkok office for the second time in two years to support their local meetings and deliver a training session on how we present MDPI at a corporate level.

It’s easy to spend time with our colleagues in Thailand. From Editorial and Production to Conferences, Marketing, Design, and our Regional Journal Relations Specialist (RJRS), the team continues to grow in scale and professionalism. I’d also like to recognize our local management and admin teams, who have been steadily expanding our office and supporting more than 500 colleagues on the ground.

Academic Partnerships

During the visit, we met with the Engineering Department at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). Our discussion focused on the recent MDPI developments, Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) opportunities, Author Publishing Workshops (APW), and the potential use of JAMS to support their institutional journal.

“MDPI is the third-largest OA publisher in Thailand”

We also shared insights into the growth of Open Access (OA) in Thailand and KMITL’s own publishing trends. These conversations matter because institutions are looking for sustainable ways to support their researchers. Our IOAP agreements are one simple example of how we can provide value in this area while maintaining accessibility for authors.

Thailand and MDPI: 2025 Snapshot

Our Bangkok office, officially launched in 2022, has been growing to support over 500 staff members while continuing to expand its engagement in scholar visits, workshops, and conference collaborations. As at 2025, Thailand submissions to MDPI have increased about 21% and publications by about 25%, maintaining a rejection rate close to the company average. MDPI is the third-largest OA publisher in Thailand, publishing 15% of all Gold OA output in 2025.

Representing MDPI Externally

During the visit, I delivered a training session on how we present MDPI at external events.

This session covered topics related to:

  • Our aim and guiding principles
  • High-level company milestones and Indexing facts and figures
  • Industry partnerships and collaborations
  • Market trends in OA and subscription publishing
  • Country-specific publishing data and collaborations with MDPI
  • Insights from our Voice of Community report

I find that while many colleagues are very familiar with the specific journal for which they have responsibility, fewer have visibility into the broader MDPI ecosystem and the company’s global positioning. These sessions help build alignment, confidence, and consistency in how we represent the company.

What stands out most is that MDPI’s growth is not abstract: it’s visible in the people, the partnerships, and the professionalism developing across our offices.

Coming Together for Science

1,000 Institutional Partners: A Milestone Built on Trust

This month, we reached an important milestone: more than 1,000 institutions worldwide are now part of MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP). On paper, that is a number. In practice, it represents trust.

This milestone symbolizes thousands of conversations with libraries and institutions. It stands for negotiations, renewals, consortium expansions, and, most importantly, relationships built over time. It reflects the work of colleagues across publishing, institutional partnerships, marketing, editorial, finance, and many other teams who contribute to making these agreements operational.

In 2025 alone, more than 61,300 research articles benefited from article processing charge (APC) discounts through IOAP agreements. Tens of thousands of authors were able to publish through a simplified and structured process. At the same time, institutional administrators gained clearer oversight and streamlined workflows.

Why IOAP Matters

When we launched IOAP, the objective was straightforward: to reduce barriers for researchers while supporting institutions in navigating the evolving OA landscape. Over the past decade, the research ecosystem has changed. Funder mandates, national policies, and Plan S–aligned requirements have accelerated the transition to OA.

Institutions need publishing partners who provide transparency, scalability, and operational efficiency. IOAP was designed to support that reality.

For colleagues who would like to better understand the program, this blog-post overview of MDPI’s IOAP provides additional context, including common questions around the transition to OA and how our institutional partnerships are structured.

“Institutions need publishing partners who provide transparency, scalability, and operational efficiency”

Recent Examples

Our agreements continue to evolve across regions:

These examples show that institutions seek structured, predictable models that support their researchers at scale.

Looking Ahead

Crossing the threshold of 1,000 partners tells us that institutions see MDPI not just as a publisher but as a reliable operational partner in advancing open science. This milestone is not a finish line. It is a reminder that the work continues.

Thank you to the entire IOAP team and to all colleagues who contributed to reaching this achievement.

P.S. You can read about this milestone across industry outlets, including STM Publishing News, ALPSP, Research Information, EurekAlert, Brightsurf, among others. You can also read about the coverage in Poland (e.g., media-room, bomega) Korea (newstap), and Romania (EduLike).

Closing Thoughts

Reflections from the Researcher to Reader Conference

During 24–25 February, I attended the 2026 Researcher to Reader Conference in London, UK. Leaders from across scholarly publishing, research infrastructure, libraries, and technology gathered to discuss AI and research integrity, peer review reform, metadata and infrastructure, community engagement, open research policy, and the evolving role of publishers in a rapidly shifting ecosystem.

The conversations were open and honest, and at times uncomfortable – exactly what we need at times. Below are a few reflections that stayed with me.

The Battle for Knowledge: What Becomes Accepted as ‘True’?

One recurring theme was not whether science evolves but whether our infrastructure is resilient enough to sustain trust at scale. Science does not promise certainty: it promises process. As publishing systems grow more complex and become more technologically mediated, the question is how intentionally we design, monitor, and strengthen that process.

Peer Review: Speed, Credentials, and Structural Loops

Researchers consistently call for faster peer review. At the same time, reviewer credentials are often tied to publication records. This creates a structural loop. Publishing history opens reviewing opportunities, reviewing strengthens credentials, and those without early access remain outside the cycle.

There is a need for us to reflect on how opportunity circulates within our systems: we should ask how we create more inclusive pathways for researchers globally to participate in peer review.

Community Engagement Workshop

One of the highlights of R2R was the workshop format, whereby small groups met repeatedly over two days and moved from ideas to tangible strategies.

I joined the Community Engagement workshop led by Lou Peck (CEO at The International Bunch) and Godwyns Onwuchekwa (Principal Consultant at Global Tapestry Consulting). We explored two deceptively simple questions: What is a community? and What does engagement truly mean?

“Engagement requires shared design and shared responsibility”

Too often, organizations equate communication with engagement. The framework discussed mapped a maturity spectrum – from enablement (broadcasting, informing and consulting) to true engagement (collaborating and co-creating).

It was a useful reminder of the fact that if we want trust and loyalty, engagement must go beyond announcements and surveys. It requires shared design and shared responsibility.

AI: Democratization or Digital Colonialism?

I especially enjoyed the thought-provoking presentation from Nikesh Gosalia (Chief Partnership Officer at Cactus Communications), which highlighted an uncomfortable reality:

  • 93% of AI-generated content is in English
  • Approximately 2% is in French
  • Approximately 2% is in German
  • More than 7,000 languages are represented in less than 5% of the content within large AI systems

The implications are profound. Is AI democratizing access to scholarly publishing (making it easier for researchers everywhere to participate in global knowledge production)? Or are we encoding colonialism at scale (entrenching linguistic and structural hierarchies, and making it harder for voices from the Global South to be heard)?

AI is already reshaping how research is created, reviewed, discovered, and shared. Its potential is enormous. But its impact depends not only on capability, but on governance, design, and intentionality. Publishers, funders, and researchers all share responsibility in shaping how these systems evolve.

Ethicality in practice (Lightening Talk)

It was also great to have our colleague Dr Miloš Čučulović (Head of Technology Innovation at MDPI) present MDPI’s Ethicality platform during a lightning talk.

“Technology alone is not the answer”

Ethicality embeds AI-driven checks directly into the submission workflow, supporting editors proactively rather than reacting after publication. As we scale, tools like this help balance trust, efficiency, and research integrity.

This goes back into the underlying theme of the conference that technology alone is not the answer. However, technology embedded thoughtfully within clear governance frameworks can strengthen confidence in the editorial process.

Final thought

The question is no longer whether technology will transform research infrastructure: it is already doing so. The real question is what role each of us will play in shaping that transformation deliberately, with structural maturity, inclusive governance, and engagement that moves from informing to co-creating.

Science needs to evolve, responsibly. And that responsibility extends not only to what we publish, but also to how the systems behind publication are designed. Some important topics to continue reflecting on both internally and within our broader community.

Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

25 February 2026
Meet Us at the 73rd JSAP Spring Meeting 2026, 15–18 March 2026, Tokyo, Japan


The 73rd JSAP Spring Meeting 2026 will be held from 15 to 18 March 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. The conference will be hosted by the Japan Society of Applied Physics.

The areas of focus for the conference include the following:

  • Semiconductor and AI Convergence;
  • Quantum Science and Technologies;
  • Optics and Photonics;
  • Advanced Materials and Fabrication;
  • Biomedical and Applied Engineering;
  • Energy and Functional Electronics;
  • Interdisciplinary and Industrial Application.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to get in touch via email. Our delegates also 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 link: https://meeting.jsap.or.jp/english.

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