2023 Annual Report of Energy Materials
The year 2023 has witnessed an unprecedented rise in the development of Energy Materials (EM). With the invaluable assistance of the editorial team, authors, reviewers, webinar and conference participants, readers, and editorial staff, EM has accomplished incredible feats in the last year and received considerable attention from professionals and academics in relevant sectors. Here, the editorial office of EM is honored to highlight the journal's numerous accomplishments in 2023, focusing on the following six key perspectives.
1. Indexing
In 2023, the successive inclusion of EM in J-Gate, CAS, CNKI, and ESCI databases is depicted in Figure 1, coinciding with its anticipated reception of the first IF in June 2024. The journal's indexing by ESCI within just two years of its inception marks a significant breakthrough in the internationalization of the journal. This achievement signifies widespread recognition from the international academic community, further enhancing the journal's academic influence and worldwide impact. This milestone positively fosters the development and innovation in the field of sustainable materials, laying a solid foundation for the journal's goal of becoming a leading publication in its field.
Figure 1. The databases that officially included EM in 2023
2. Publications
In 2023, EM received 154 submissions and published six issues, as depicted in Figure 2, with 55 excellent articles by 346 authors. These articles spanned diverse research areas, such as sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, zinc-ion batteries, lithium-ion batteries, phase change materials, and solar cells, having an important impact on their respective field and receiving international recognition in academia. The 93 corresponding authors, including Stefano Passerini from Sapienza University of Rome, Qian Li from Nanjing Tech University, Jun-Jie Zhu from Nanjing University, Yunhui Huang from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Guanglei Cui from Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, are greatly influential in their respective fields, as illustrated in Figure 3.
Figure 2. Journal Covers Published in 2023.
Figure 3. Distribution of H-Index of Corresponding Authors for Articles Published in 2023.
A total of 288 reviewers from 33 nations or regions contributed significantly to the paper review process in 2023, as illustrated in Figure 4. The development of EM was accelerated by their thorough analysis and constructive suggestions, which substantially raised the value of the publications they reviewed. These reviewers are especially appreciated by the editors of EM for their kind contribution of time and energy.
Figure 4. Distribution of Reviewers by Country/Region.
3. Editorial Board and Junior Editorial Board
In 2023, the Editorial Board of EM expanded, welcoming three eminent Editorial members and forty Junior Editorial Board members. As shown in Figure 5, the new board members include Evgeny Antipov from Russia, Muhammet Toprak from Sweden, and Porun Liu from Australia. The forty Junior Editorial Board members, distinguished professionals from various universities across the country, each specializing in different areas of energy materials, are depicted in Figure 6. This expansion signifies EM's commitment to incorporating diverse expertise and fostering a broader academic exchange in the field of energy materials.
Figure 5. New members who joined the editorial board in 2023.
Figure 6. Members of the Junior Editorial Board.
On July 27, 2023, EM successfully held an online Editorial Board meeting, as depicted in Figure 7, focusing on strategic goals post-ESCI inclusion. This meeting was pivotal, providing a comprehensive review of the journal's progress and setting forth vital guidelines for its future developmental direction and strategic planning. Following this, on November 17, the same year, EM held its First Junior Editorial Board Meeting, as shown in Figure 8, marking an important step in valuing young scholars' contributions. The meeting primarily discussed the journal's publication scopes, manuscript processing procedures, and promotional strategies. The active participation and contributions of the junior editorial board members brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the journal. The meeting aimed to foster communication and collaboration among researchers, jointly advancing the journal's academic standing and international influence in the field of energy materials.
Figure 7. Online Editorial Board Meeting in July 2023.
Figure 8. The First Junior Editorial Board Meeting in November 2023.
4. Featured Content
Webinars:
In 2023, EM successfully held two online webinars that drew over 50,000 people from a variety of broadcasting platforms and received great praise from academics. The editorial office really appreciates the robust backing for these webinars from academics such as Professors Hong Xu, Yizhong Huang, Ho Won Jang, and Sining Yun, as illustrated in Figure 9.
Figure 9. Detailed Information about the EM Online Webinars.
Special Issues:
By collaborating with 23 exceptional scholars, EM published 16 Special Issues in 2023, as depicted in Figure 10, creating a community of authors and readers who shared views and suggested novel paths for further research.
Figure 10. Covers of Special Issues
Social Media:
EM editors maintained a dynamic presence on WeChat and Twitter throughout 2023. The WeChat official account, EnergyMaterials_2021, shared 225 articles and amassed over 2000 followers.
5. Collaboration and Conference
In December 2023, OAE Publishing Inc. and Southeast University signed a strategic cooperation agreement. This collaboration aims to establish EM as a globally top-tier authoritative publication in the global field of energy materials in the following three years. By merging the resources and expertise of both parties, the partnership seeks to enhance the journal's academic standards and research quality, increase the submission of high-quality papers, and expand its readership. Strategies include hosting international conferences and leveraging digital platforms to boost the journal's visibility and impact. This initiative is designed to advance research in energy materials and contribute to solving global energy challenges.
EM collaborated with Southeast University to hold The First Forum for New Energy Materials Innovation and Development and the In-Depth Empowerment Conference for Advancing New Energy Industry, held from November 17–20, 2023, in Xi’an, Shaanxi. The conference saw a notable attendance of 700 individuals, featuring nine thematic forums and 230 conference presentations, as illustrated in Figure 11.
Figure 11. The First Forum for New Energy Materials Innovation and Development and the In-Depth Empowerment Conference for Advancing New Energy Industry.
6. Citations
In 2023, EM has achieved notable recognition within the global academic community, evidenced by citations from scholars across 54 different countries and regions, exceeding 500 times as per data sourced from the Web of Science. Figure 12 intricately displays the distribution of these citations across various countries/regions, showcasing EM's widespread impact and academic value on a global scale. Table 1 presents a detailed list of journals with an IF above 20 that cited EM publications, along with the frequency of citations from each journal. This not only reflects the esteemed academic standing of EM in the field of energy materials but also demonstrates the wide applicability and influence of its research outputs. Moreover, Figure 13 illustrates the quartile distribution of these citing journals in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR). Notably, 83% of these journals fall within the second quartile or higher in JCR, a testament to the high quality and scholarly standard of articles published in EM. This significant proportion of citations from high-quartile JCR journals not only validates EM's academic accomplishments but also indicates its potential for ongoing development and future impact in the field of energy materials.
Figure 12. Distribution by countries/regions of citations
Table 1. Citing Journals of EM in 2023（IF>20）
Figure 13. Quartiel distribution of citing journals
As we conclude another fruitful year, we express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has steadfastly supported and contributed to our journal. To our dedicated authors, we extend our deepest thanks for entrusting us with their valuable research and insights. Your groundbreaking work and commitment to academic excellence continue to be the lifeblood of our publication. Our sincere appreciation goes out to our meticulous reviewers, whose expertise and thoughtful critiques have been essential in maintaining the high quality and scholarly rigor of our journal. Your efforts in refining and strengthening the research we publish are immeasurable. We are also immensely grateful to our Editorial Board members, whose guidance, leadership, and vision have been instrumental in shaping the direction and impact of our journal. Your dedication and wisdom have been invaluable in navigating the challenges and seizing THE opportunities of the past year. Lastly, to our loyal readers and friends, your engagement and feedback have been invaluable. Your continued interest and active participation not only motivate us but also significantly contribute to the vibrant and collaborative spirit of our academic community.
Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our foundational principles and mission to serve the academic community. Collaborating closely with Southeast University, our office plans to enhance engagement with the global research community by organizing international conferences, symposiums, and collaborative projects, thereby fostering a more inclusive and dynamic academic exchange. Besides, the editorial board will continue to further improve the quality of the publications through rigorous peer review processes and by attracting high-quality submissions from renowned researchers worldwide. Emphasis will be placed on promoting interdisciplinary research and innovation, as the office believes this approach is key to addressing complex energy challenges. Additionally, EM is committed to increasing its accessibility and visibility. This involves expanding the digital presence, optimizing our website for enhanced user engagement, and leveraging social media platforms to reach a broader audience.
In the upcoming year, the editorial office of EM aspires not only to continue the tradition of academic excellence but also to make significant strides in making EM a leading authority in the energy materials research community. With the unwavering support of all contributors, readers, and the editorial board, EM is confident in achieving these goals and contributing meaningfully to the advancement of energy research globally.
Editor: Whitney Xu; Dasia Luo; Jenna Wen; Gabriella Guo
Language Editor: Emma Chen
Production Editor: Yan Zhang
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of
Energy Materials (EM)
