Welcome to the journal of Micro Nano Science: exploring the boundaries of micro-nano materials and devices

Throughout history, from the invention of gunpowder to the development of copper smelting, the manipulation of chemical and physical transformations has profoundly shaped the trajectory of human civilization. The emergence of novel materials has rapidly enriched the landscape of modern science and technology, flourishing as bamboo shoots after spring rain. From a scientific perspective, the material world represents a second frontier of complexity and wonder, comparable to the intricacy of living systems. From macroscopic building blocks to microscopic atoms and molecules, the diversity in composition and configuration is astonishing. Current scientific exploration of the material world, particularly nanomaterials, remains at a preliminary stage, revealing only a fraction of its underlying complexity. A comprehensive understanding of material composition, structural features, and physicochemical properties is a prerequisite for unlocking novel functionalities and applications. In this pursuit, uncovering the fundamental principles, scientific implications, and underlying mechanisms at the micro- and nanoscale is of great significance. In particular, the adoption of emerging technologies, innovative principles, and novel architectures in material design can fundamentally redefine their practical value and application potential.

Functional materials at the micro-nanoscale span various disciplines, including chemistry, materials science, information technology, physics, and life sciences. From traditional silicon- and carbon-based systems to emerging semiconductors, organic framework materials, and two-dimensional materials, a continuous stream of new materials and novel structures has been developed and applied, particularly in biomedicine, intelligent sensing, aerospace, and environmental remediation. Researchers have made significant advances, progressing from rudimentary synthetic methods to precisely structural control and, more recently, to artificial intelligence-enabled synthesis. For example, by using micro-nanoscale building blocks and employing bottom-up or top-down assembly strategies, diverse functional architectures have been constructed, including porous semiconductors, two-dimensional monolayer materials, organic frameworks, and conductive polymers. Through adopting various approaches such as in-situ doping, surface modification, heterojunction construction, and noble metal loading, parameters including energy levels, band gaps, conductivity, surface wettability, flexibility, and catalytic activity can be precisely controlled, enabling tailored physicochemical properties. Customized synthesis of functional nanomaterials is expected to deliver transformative improvements in the performance of micro-nano devices, such as optoelectronic systems, sensors, energy converters, detectors, resistors, memory units, and neuromorphic devices. As a major highlight of this journal, the field of responsive intelligent materials and devices will emphasize micro-nano material synthesis, device processing, device integration, device applications, and novel mechanisms. The rise of this field will undoubtedly inject new momentum into the advent of the intelligent era.

In addition, from the perspective of micro-nano-manufacturing and assembly, a comprehensive understanding of the latest advances and scientific implications of micro-nano materials and devices is expected to promote both fundamental and application research in this field, particularly in large-scale fabrication, device arraying, miniaturization, intelligence, and wearable integration. It will offer a broad overview of current research frontiers in micro-nano science, with a focus on functional nanomaterials, intelligent responsive materials, micro-nano processing technologies, responsive devices, and emerging material applications.

Through the collective efforts of researchers, micro-nano materials and devices have become a new paradigm for interdisciplinary advancement, integrating precise material synthesis, micro-nano structural design, device processing and fabrication, as well as equipment application and development. This represents a novel research model and development orientation that will profoundly impact the future applications of functional devices and influence the commercialization of fields such as intelligent manufacturing and sensor technologies.

Whether referring to devices or materials, their short-term performance is constrained by instrumental detection thresholds and current research conditions, thereby defining boundaries such as the lowest detectable limit, minimum instrument dimensions, minimum wafer size, and maximum device array density. These scientific boundaries merit continuous exploration by researchers across disciplines. They represent not merely quantitative benchmarks but also milestones in scientific progress. We will continue to inherit and build upon this legacy, contributing to the exploration of the scientific frontiers of materials and devices.

From the perspective of micro-nano technologies, Micro Nano Science provides a comprehensive online platform for disseminating the latest technological frontiers, academic advancements, and research trends, including original data, new methodologies, mini-reviews, and perspectives. In particular, the journal encourages the publication of original research results in the field of micro-nano materials and devices.

Micro Nano Science will be published quarterly, supplemented by special issues focusing on specific topics. An initial distinguished Editorial Board of 35 international experts from six countries/regions, with expertise spanning micro-nano materials and smart devices, has been established. The first issue of Micro Nano Science is scheduled for launch in December 2025. We cordially invite you to submit your work to future issues of Micro Nano Science (https://www.oaepublish.com/mns/).