Journal Guide

The aim is to publish research of the highest quality and of lasting significance on the mechanics of solids. The scope is broad, from fundamental concepts in mechanics to the analysis of novel phenomena and applications. Solids are interpreted broadly to include both hard and soft materials as well as natural and synthetic structures. The approach can be theoretical, experimental or computational.This research activity sits within engineering science and the allied areas of applied mathematics, materials science, bio-mechanics, applied physics, and geophysics.The Journal was founded in 1952 by Rodney Hill, who was its Editor-in-Chief until 1968. The topics of interest to the Journal evolve with developments in the subject but its basic ethos remains the same: to publish research of the highest quality relating to the mechanics of solids. Thus, emphasis is placed on the development of fundamental concepts of mechanics and novel applications of these concepts based on theoretical, experimental or computational approaches, drawing upon the various branches of engineering science and the allied areas within applied mathematics, materials science, structural engineering, applied physics, and geophysics.The main purpose of the Journal is to foster scientific understanding of the processes of deformation and mechanical failure of all solid materials, both technological and natural, and the connections between these processes and their underlying physical mechanisms. In this sense, the content of the Journal should reflect the current state of the discipline in analysis, experimental observation, and numerical simulation. In the interest of achieving this goal, authors are encouraged to consider the significance of their contributions for the field of mechanics and the implications of their results, in addition to describing the details of their work.Benefits to authorsWe also provide many author benefits, such as free PDFs, a liberal copyright policy, special discounts on Elsevier publications and much more. Please click here for more information on our author services.Please see our Guide for Authors for information on article submission. If you require any further information or help, please visit our support pages: http://support.elsevier.com

Mechanics Research Communications publishes as rapidly as possible manuscripts of high standards but restricted length. It aims at providing a fast means of communication and of exchange of ideas among workers in Mechanics, at offering an effective method of bringing new results quickly to the public and at establishing an informal vehicle for the discussion of ideas that may still be in the formative stages.Mechanics Research Communications will publish both scientific and applied contributions. In either category, papers may be one of three types:1. Complete: Self-contained, normally no more than about twelve manuscript pages long. The essence and motivation of the communication must be made clear in a first section, called Introduction, of length appropriate to that of the entire article and written so as to be understandable to the majority of workers in Mechanics. No further abstract is required. The remainder of the contribution may, of course, be addressed to specialists.2. Work in Progress and Preliminary Results: Accounts of current research and of tentative results even if of a conjectural but well documented nature, about three or four manuscript pages in length.3. Letters: Not over two manuscript pages long usually dealing with previously printed contributions or with matters of general interest to the Mechanics community, to be written in non-aggressive language. After acceptance of letters referring to previous communications, the authors of the original articles will be informed and allowed four weeks time to submit a written reply. The letter and the reply will be printed simultaneously.In addition, special features may be added from time to time.The field of Mechanics will be understood in a broad sense, no attempt being made to limit it or to provide it with a precise definition. It will encompass the behavior of fluids, solids, particles, continua, rigid bodies, mechanisms, systems and so forth. It will include theoretical as well as applied and experimental researches, whether aimed at fundamental scientific advances or at practical engineering results.

The International Journal of Impact Engineering, established in 1983, has as its objective the publication of original research findings related to the response of structures, bodies and materials from the exposure to impact and blast events. Pertinent areas encompass the following general topics and those associated with them:Structural impact and failureEnergy absorbing systemsTerminal ballisticsDynamic material behaviour and failureStress wavesStructural crashworthinessBlast loading and its effects on structuresHigh-speed mechanical and forming processesHazards assessments, safety and protection involving impact and blast loadingTesting/measurement techniques coupled with applicationManuscripts submitted for publication will be subjected to stringent peer review and assessed for their contribution to scientific understanding of impact phenomena or fundamental insights gained towards engineering design for high rate loading. Papers concerned primarily with the fields of mathematics, materials science or computation, with little direct relevance to impact and blast dynamics, as well as those of a purely descriptive nature will be declined.. However, well-designed and well-documented experimental studies that advance the body of knowledge are encouraged. Manuscripts that focus on parametric studies (e.g. using commercial software), unaccompanied by convincing validation and discussion of application of results generated, as well as papers on novel computational techniques without comparison with established methods or test data are also not solicited.Papers in the International Journal of Impact Engineering should generally be of interest to aeronautical engineers, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, naval architects, nuclear engineers, ocean engineers, offshore engineers, transportation engineers and workers in other branches of engineering and science who are involved in various aspects of impact and blast loading.Companion papers Authors should aim at submitting manuscripts that can be reviewed on their own, without assuming that preceding or subsequent related manuscripts will be published. Authors of companion papers should inform the Editor of the reasons for publishing their work in multiple parts.

The International Journal of Mechanical Sciences (IJMS) is an international forum for the publication and dissemination of original work which contributes to greater scientific understanding of the main disciplines underpinning the mechanical, civil and material engineering sciences.Original contributions providing insight into the use of analytical, computational (e.g. FEM, BEM, mesh-free methods and others) modelling methods for rigid-body mechanics (e.g. dynamics, vibration, stability), structural mechanics, metal forming, behaviour and application of advanced materials (metals, composite, cellular, smart etc.), impact mechanics, strain localization and other effects of nonlinearity (e.g. large deflections, plasticity, fracture etc.), fluid mechanics (external and internal flows), tribology, thermodynamics and materials processing generally form the core of the journal contents.The International Journal of Mechanical Sciences does not accept for publication material which quite specifically belongs with other established specialist journals. Papers whose concern is primarily with mathematical or computational techniques, developed within a general framework and not aimed at any specific engineering application, are not requested. Similarly, papers whose content is purely descriptive or empirical and which do not make any scientific contribution, will not be considered. Comparison with experiments/tests conducted by the authors or others to validate the main contribution of the paper are strongly encouraged, however design-based studies, based on established formulae and methods, are outside our scope and should not be submitted to the International Journal of Mechanical Sciences.Only original, innovative and novel papers will be considered for publication in the International Journal of Mechanical Sciences and before considering their work, authors are required to confirm that their paper has not been submitted to any other journal in English or any other language. Occasionally, 'Letters to the Editor' are considered.

The International Journal of Solids and Structures has as its objective the publication and dissemination of original research in Mechanics of Solids and Structures as a field of Applied Science and Engineering. It fosters thus the exchange of ideas among workers in different parts of the world and also among workers who emphasize different aspects of the foundations and applications of the field.Standing as it does at the cross-roads of Materials Science, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Engineering Design, the Mechanics of Solids and Structures is experiencing considerable growth as a result of recent technological advances. The Journal, by providing an international medium of communication, is encouraging this growth and is encompassing all aspects of the field from the more classical problems of structural analysis to mechanics of solids continually interacting with other media and including fracture, flow, wave propagation, heat transfer, thermal effects in solids, optimum design methods, model analysis, structural topology and numerical techniques. Interest extends to both inorganic and organic solids and structures.The emphasis is placed on contributions, analytical, experimental and numerical, which appear to be of permanent interest to research workers and engineers in the field. If furthering knowledge in the area of principal concern of the Journal, papers of primary interest to the constitutive disciplines of Materials Science, Mathematics, Physics and Engineering Design may be published. Papers which are merely illustrations of established principles and procedures, even though possibly containing new numerical or experimental data, will generally not be published.When outstanding advances are made in existing areas or when new areas have been developed to a definitive stage, special review articles will be considered by the Editors.No length limitations for contributions are set, but only concisely written papers are published. Brief articles are considered on the basis of technical merit. Discussions of previously published papers are welcome.

Nanoscale and Microscale Thermophysical Engineering is a journal covering the basic science and engineering of nanoscale and microscale energy and mass transport, conversion, and storage processes. In addition, the journal addresses the uses of these principles for device and system applications in the fields of energy, environment, information, medicine, and transportation.

The journal publishes both original research articles and reviews of historical accounts, latest progresses, and future directions in this rapidly advancing field. Papers deal with such topics as:

• transport and interactions of electrons, phonons, photons, and spins in solids
• interfacial energy transport and phase change processes
• microscale and nanoscale fluid and mass transport and chemical reaction
• molecular-level energy transport, storage, conversion, reaction, and phase transition
• near field thermal radiation and plasmonic effects
• ultrafast and high spatial resolution measurements
• multi length and time scale modeling and computations
• processing of nanostructured materials, including composites
• micro and nanoscale manufacturing
• energy conversion and storage devices and systems
• thermal management devices and systems
• microfluidic and nanofluidic devices and systems
• molecular analysis devices and systems

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Polymer Degradation and Stability deals with the degradation reactions and their control which are a major preoccupation of practitioners of the many and diverse aspects of modern polymer technology.Deteriorative reactions occur during processing, when polymers are subjected to heat, oxygen and mechanical stress, and during the useful life of the materials when oxygen and sunlight are the most important degradative agencies. In more specialised applications, degradation may be induced by high energy radiation, ozone, atmospheric pollutants, mechanical stress, biological action, hydrolysis and many other influences. The mechanisms of these reactions and stabilisation processes must be understood if the technology and application of polymers are to continue to advance. The reporting of investigations of this kind is therefore a major function of this journal.However there are also new developments in polymer technology in which degradation processes find positive applications. For example, photodegradable plastics are now available, the recycling of polymeric products will become increasingly important, degradation and combustion studies are involved in the definition of the fire hazards which are associated with polymeric materials and the microelectronics industry is vitally dependent upon polymer degradation in the manufacture of its circuitry. Polymer properties may also be improved by processes like curing and grafting, the chemistry of which can be closely related to that which causes physical deterioration in other circumstances.Radiation of various kinds is used to initiate many of these modern technological processes so that polymer photochemistry has come to a new prominence and finds a major place in this journal.The study of all these processes has made extensive use of modern instrumental analytical methods and the various spectrometric, chromatographic and thermal analysis techniques have been particularly prominent.There is clearly a strong common bond between investigations in various parts of the field. Polymer Degradation and Stability provides a forum for the publication of their work.

Sustainable Energy & Fuels publishes high quality scientific research that will drive the development of sustainable energy technologies, with a particular emphasis on innovative concepts and approaches. The journal is an essential resource for energy researchers and cuts across chemistry and its interfaces with materials science, physics and biology – covering evolving and emerging areas such as the following: • Solar energy conversion including photovoltaics and artificial photosynthesis • Energy storage including batteries, flow batteries and supercapacitors • Catalysis for energy technologies, including the sustainable synthesis of fuels and chemicals, and molecular/bioinspired catalysis • Electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and thermal catalysis • Fuel cells • Hydrogen production, storage and distribution • Carbon dioxide utilisation, including fuels and chemicals from carbon dioxide • Biorefining and Biofuels • Capacitive desalination and desalination batteries • Other sustainable energy conversion technologies including thermochemical, piezoelectric and thermoelectric materials and devices Energy science and technologies that avoid the use of critical raw elements or detrimental environmental effects during preparation, manufacture and end-of-life are particularly encouraged.

Nature Materials is a monthly multi-disciplinary journal aimed at bringing together cutting-edge research across the entire spectrum of materials science and engineering. Materials research is a diverse and fast-growing discipline, which has moved from a largely applied, engineering focus to a position where it has an increasing impact on other classical disciplines such as physics, chemistry and biology. Nature Materials covers all applied and fundamental aspects of the synthesis/processing, structure/composition, properties and performance of materials, where "materials" are identified as substances in the condensed states (liquid, solid, colloidal) designed or manipulated for technological ends.Nature Materials provides a forum for the development of a common identity among materials scientists while encouraging researchers to cross established subdisciplinary divides. To achieve this, and strengthen the cohesion of the community, the journal takes an interdisciplinary, integrated and balanced approach to all areas of materials research while fostering the exchange of ideas between scientists involved in the different disciplines. Nature Materials is an invaluable resource for all scientists, in both academia and industry, who are active in the process of discovering and developing materials and materials-related concepts.Nature Materials offers an engaging, informative and accessible product including papers of exceptional significance and quality in a discipline which promises to have great influence on the development of society in years to come.Research areas covered in the journal include:* Engineering and structural materials (metals, alloys, ceramics, composites)* Organic and soft materials (glasses, colloids, liquid crystals, polymers)* Bio-inspired, biomedical and biomolecular materials* Optical, photonic and optoelectronic materials* Magnetic materials* Materials for electronics* Superconducting materials* Catalytic and separation materials* Materials for energy* Nanoscale materials and processes* Computation, modelling and materials theory* Surfaces and thin films* Design, synthesis, processing and characterization techniquesIn addition to primary research, Nature Materials also publishes review articles, news and views, research highlights about important papers published in other journals, commentaries, correspondence, interviews and analysis of the broader materials picture. In this way, the journal aims to be the voice of the worldwide materials science community.Nature Materials offers readers and authors high visibility, access to a broad readership, high standards of copy editing and production, rigorous peer review, rapid publication, and independence from academic societies and other vested interests.

Modern engineered materials play a central role in enabling technological designs that underpin, advance and revolutionise engineering practice. Materials & Design seeks to publish reports of materials research that present applicable advances in the insight into structure and function, and provide useable and reproducible recipes for the synthesis, preparation, characterisation, modelling and exploitation of new metallic alloys, ceramics, polymers, coatings, composites and bio-materials systems.

Today's products and their constituent components and structures have to meet increasingly stringent requirements during operation. The economic and human costs of failure during service impose a great deal of responsibility on organisations and individuals who select and integrate materials in a final engineering design. A critical feature of successful product development is the judicious selection of the best materials based on informed awareness of the capabilities and opportunities afforded by all candidates, coupled with a design that takes full advantage of their properties. A further aim of Materials & Design is to promote a greater knowledge and understanding of the attributes and capabilities of all types of modern engineering materials in the context of engineering design.

Materials & Design publishes a range of high quality peer reviewed research articles including full papers, short communications and technical reports, and occasional special issues, that investigate the properties of materials that influence or control any practical design. All types of engineering materials are considered, and all scales of processing, analysis and design from nano- and micro-scale devices and systems to large structural components. The content is broad and widely relevant to materials researchers, engineers and designers in academia and in industry.

The emphasis is placed on developing both practice and theory relevant to the field of materials engineering and science, with appropriate links established to processing, characterisation and simulation. To reflect the multidisciplinary nature of design, submissions to Materials & Design should offer information useful to professionals working in fields related to the immediate subject of the article.

Materials & Design brings together the overriding interest in the inherent architecture of solid matter with the practical need to know and use its properties to perform certain roles in service, either structural or functional. In reflection of this title, the journal is focused on the studies of natural and engineered materials, with particular emphasis on the elucidation of their structure and properties at all scales, from nuclear and electronic to amorphous and crystalline levels of organisation, to nano-scale and micro-structuring aspects, and ultimately to the manner in which this manifests itself in the suitability and performance of materials in various natural and man-made systems and applications.

In order to help the authors, reviewers and editors identified those directions of research that match the existing and future thematic threads in Materials & Design, to compile a list of priority areas that are of particular interest to the readers of the journal. These are:

• Micro- and nano-scale multi-physics phenomena, and the analysis structure, morphology, and the role of interfaces in relation to design at all scales, e.g. electrochemical energy storage, phase transformation and associated processes
• In operando and in situ studies of processes and structural evolution
• Processing of alloys and compounds for microstructure and property control, e.g. friction stir and severe plastic deformation
• Lightweight materials, e.g. alloys containing magnesium and lithium, as well as composites of all types of matrix (polymer, metal and ceramic) and reinforcement, including continuous and discontinuous fibres, low aspect ratio inclusions and nano-structured reinforcements
• Multifunctional materials, e.g. alloys, polymers and ceramics displaying shape memory effects, as well as bio-composites, composites of green or sustainable origin, and biomimetic materials
• Intelligent materials design to optimise performance, including hierarchical microstructural optimisation, self-healing, energy absorption, for durability, against damage and environmental extremes

Authors submitting their work to the journal are encouraged to identify how their studies correspond to the priority areas above, by indicating this match in the Cover Letter and the text of their manuscript, referring to the Editorial Note on the aims and scope of the journal: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2015.09.004

Assessment Criteria

In assessing the submissions to Materials & Design, the editors are guided by a few key principles. These are:

• The editors of Materials & Design favour submissions that bring together experimental observations with modelling in a logically connected way that reflects the journal title. The combination of modelling with experiment helps elucidate the ways in which theoretical (analytical or numerical) descriptions of material behaviour can be turned into predictive tools to help design and applications.
• This does not mean that submissions to Materials & Design that contain reports of purely theoretical or experimental nature will be automatically rejected: editors reserve the right to accept submissions of either kind that report particularly novel and original approaches and results likely to make outstanding contributions to the field.
• For reasons outlined above, submissions split into multiple parts, e.g. Part I and Part II, are unlikely to be successful. Editors believe that a well-connected coherent piece of research should in fact incorporate multiple approaches and findings, and can and should be reported as one compact piece, in the form of an article. Ample provision is made by the publisher to attach supplementary material that accompanies the main text of the paper.
• To have a good chance of success, submissions to Materials & Design must identify and display clearly and prominently the aspects of novelty of findings, originality of approach, unusual treatment or experimental setup, unexpected discovery, etc. This means that the application of methods and techniques previously reported in this journal or in other published periodical(s) to similar or somewhat different materials systems or situations does not qualify for consideration. The authors should note that in this sense the frequently advanced argument of the sort "we recently published a similar paper in your journal" is distinctly counter-productive in terms of improving the likelihood of seeing their work in print.

Papers must be written in clear scientific English that is well-structured and understandable to reviewers and editors without additional copy-editing. The presence of grammatical errors in the text may lead to submission being rejected at any stage in the consideration process, on the grounds of poor language impeding the understanding by the readers.