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Editorial Cite This: ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2018, 1, 1−2
www.acsaem.org
ACS Applied Energy Materials: A New Journal for Applied Energy Research
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energy efficient planet with sustainable energy for future generations. A lofty goal for sure. The Journal scope as mentioned in the instructions to authors is as follows:
en years ago, American Chemical Society (ACS) Publishing introduced the first chemistry journal focused on applications: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. The results have been spectacular, largely because the focus on “application” has resonated with a diverse group of scientists who seek to advance specific applications using the language particular to chemistry. Over the past nine years, the journal has grown remarkably, publishing nearly 20,000 total papers and receiving more than 300,000 total citations with an Impact Factor (IF) that has steadily risen (2016 IF = 7.504). The continuing growth in the field of applications-focused research has been so remarkable that the need for additional chemistry journals in these areas has become self-evident. Today, ACS Publishing introduces the first chemistry journal focused on energy applications: ACS Applied Energy Materials. I am delighted to have been selected as the Deputy Editor and pleased to be working with Dr. Anne Co from The Ohio State University and Chunsheng Wang from University of Maryland to make this the Journal for applied energy research (Figure 1).
“ACS Applied Energy Materials is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes original research on all aspects of materials, engineering, chemistry, physics and biology relevant to energy conversion and storage. The journal is devoted to reports of new and original experimental and theoretical research of an applied nature that integrate knowledge in the areas of materials, engineering, physics, bioscience, and chemistry into important energy applications. Sample research topics that span the Journal’s scope include batteries, supercapacitors, redox flow batteries, fuel cells, catalysis, membranes, thermoelectrics, electrochromics, and solar cells (inorganic, hybrid, and organics). Novel approaches to synthesis and/or characterization of new and existing materials that enable more rapid advancement of energy applications are also within the journal scope.” Note that the word “materials” is used in a broad context. Materials may be molecules, assemblies of molecules, or extended solids in which no molecular unit is present. Indeed, many exciting opportunities exist at the interface between molecules and extended solids that are highly relevant to our new journal. How much application is necessary for publication in ACS Applied Energy Materials? This question deserves some final comment. We are certainly all well aware that the identification of a new high temperature superconductor or a new photovoltaic material does not usually occur overnight. Instead, multiple series of experiments over time periods of years are usually necessary to optimize behavior for practical application. In this regard, the synthesis and characterization of a new material or polymorph may be a key first step necessary for eventual applications. These initial results are often critically important, and dissemination of such original research is encouraged, particularly when the results are placed in the context of application. In other words, it is not necessary that the data itself provide a new application or enhance an existing one but, rather, that the text provides a scholarly discussion of how it is expected to impact applications. Indeed, the success of this Journal will largely be determined by how effectively we as authors communicate our ideas toward practical energy applications. For this reason, I encourage authors to include a specific discussion of potential applications with reference to the gold standard in the field in all of their submissions. In this manner, ACS Applied Energy Materials will indeed become the medium for communication of the most impactful energy advances to our international scientific community as we move
Figure 1. ACS Applied Energy Materials Associate Editors (left to right): Anne Co and Chunsheng Wang.
Indeed, there is good reason to believe that ACS Applied Energy Materials will also enjoy tremendous success. First, the American Chemical Society is arguably the world’s premier publisher of chemical research. High quality publications with rapid submission-to-publication turnaround times are a hallmark of ACS Publications. In addition, the energy theme is timely and critically important. Practical advances in “energy” have emerged as one of the greatest challenges for our generation. The desire to use energy more efficiently and to identify alternative energy resources has fueled an ever-growing cadre of researchers dedicated to real world solutions to our most pressing energy needs. I believe that ACS Applied Energy Materials will serve as the medium for communication of key energy advances to our colleagues from around the world. Effective communication of impactful results that enhance existing energy applications or enable new ones is indeed the most important goal of this infant journal. In doing so we will provide a path toward an © 2018 American Chemical Society
Published: January 22, 2018 1
DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.8b00019 ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2018, 1, 1−2
ACS Applied Energy Materials
Editorial
toward more efficient and sustainable energy resources for future generations.
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Gerald J. Meyer, Deputy Editor AUTHOR INFORMATION
ORCID
Gerald J. Meyer: 0000-0002-4227-6393 Notes
Views expressed in this editorial are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the ACS.
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DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.8b00019 ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2018, 1, 1−2
