ACS Materials Au: How a New Journal and Its Editor Are Shaping the Future of Science

Discover how open access and visionary leadership are transforming materials science publishing

Open Access Materials Science Innovation

The Open Access Revolution in Materials Science

Imagine a world where groundbreaking scientific discoveries are locked away behind paywalls, inaccessible to researchers, students, and innovators who lack expensive institutional subscriptions. This has been the reality of academic publishing for decades—but a revolution is underway.

Fully Open Access

All research freely available to anyone, anywhere without subscription barriers

Leading Platform

Rapidly emerging as a premier venue for transformative interdisciplinary research

Professor Shelley D. Minteer

University of Utah

Meet the Visionary Editor

At the helm of ACS Materials Au stands Professor Shelley D. Minteer of the University of Utah, an accomplished scientist with an impressive track record in materials research and a clear vision for the journal's future.

  • Substantial expertise in materials research
  • Commitment to fostering inclusivity
  • Vision for innovation in materials science
  • Strategic journal leadership

The Journal's Mission: Where Materials Meet the World

ACS Materials Au serves as a dynamic forum for research that explores the fundamental and applied aspects of materials science at the interface with other disciplines.

7.13

Impact Score

+34.53% from previous year

22

h-index

Productivity & citation impact

1.597

SJR Ranking

Scientific influence indicator

2142

Global Rank

Among international journals

Top Quartile (Q1) Subject Areas

Biomaterials
Electronic Materials
Materials Chemistry
Polymers & Plastics

The Open Access Advantage: Science Without Barriers

Global Reach

As a fully open access journal, ACS Materials Au ensures that all published research is immediately and freely available to readers worldwide.

Regional Usage Comparison
South Asia 15% vs 6% (traditional)
Middle East & North Africa 4.5% vs 1.2% (traditional)
Africa 1.5% vs 0.4% (traditional)

Institutional Support

ACS Publications supports open access through various mechanisms to ensure financial barriers don't prevent authors from publishing.

Read and Publish Agreements

Over 1,600 institutions across 46 countries as of 2024

Special Programs

"Read and Green" agreements and arrangements for primarily undergraduate institutions

Financial Support

Special country pricing policies and funding for Article Publication Charges (APCs)

A Commitment to Inclusive Science

Beyond open access, ACS Materials Au embodies ACS Publications' broader commitment to fostering inclusion and belonging throughout the scientific enterprise.

Author Name Change Policy

Allows authors to change their names for any reason while respecting sensitivity and reducing barriers to professional mobility.

Diversity Tracking

Collection and publication of baseline demographics for journal contributors with annual progress reporting.

Bias Recognition Training

Training editors to recognize and interrupt bias in peer review and developing actionable inclusion plans for each journal.

"The multitude of people, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas lead to superior solutions to world challenges and advances chemistry as a global, multidisciplinary science."

ACS Publications Inclusion Statement

The Materials Revolution: From Lab to Life

The research published in ACS Materials Au spans a remarkable range of innovations with potential to address critical global challenges.

Biomaterials

Tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, medical implants for improved healthcare outcomes and personalized medicine.

Electronic Materials

Faster processors, efficient solar cells, advanced sensors for energy sustainability and technological advancement.

Materials Chemistry

Smart materials, responsive polymers, catalytic surfaces for environmental remediation and industrial processes.

Polymers & Plastics

Biodegradable packaging, flexible electronics, lightweight composites for sustainability and reduced environmental impact.

Experimental Approach in Materials Science

Material Synthesis

Systematic creation of novel substances with carefully designed chemical compositions

Structural Characterization

Using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and spectroscopic methods to understand material properties

Property Measurement

Assessing mechanical, thermal, and chemical characteristics under various conditions

Performance Testing

Evaluating real-world application potential through rigorous testing protocols

The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Resources for Materials Research

Success in materials science requires not only creativity and insight but also access to powerful research tools and resources.

Resource Function Access
ACS Author Lab Online course teaching manuscript preparation and submission Free
ACS Reviewer Lab Training in peer review fundamentals and best practices Free
ACS Authoring Services Professional editing, translation, and formatting support Paid
Name Change Policy Allows authors to update names while preserving publication record Policy
Read & Publish Agreements Enables open access publishing without direct author payments Institutional
Democratizing Knowledge

The ACS Author Lab and ACS Reviewer Lab—both freely available—democratize knowledge about effective scientific communication and rigorous evaluation, helping early-career researchers develop essential professional skills.

Equitable Ecosystem

Together with Read and Publish Agreements that reduce financial barriers, these resources create a more equitable ecosystem for materials research and dissemination.

Building a More Accessible Future for Science

ACS Materials Au represents more than just another scientific journal—it embodies a transformative vision for how research should be shared, who gets to participate in scientific conversations, and what values should guide scholarly publishing.

Under Professor Shelley D. Minteer's leadership, the journal has established itself as both a high-quality venue for materials research and a champion of openness, inclusion, and global collaboration.

References