What is this collection about?

Developing novel and advanced materials is challenging due to vast compositional spaces and synthesis or processing conditions that can subtly control a material’s electronic, optical, mechanical, or structural properties, as well as its reactivity. Traditional exploration of materials design space has often been limited by trial-and-error approaches and empirical rules. Recent developments in artificial intelligence have transformed this landscape.

Machine-learning approaches can uncover trends in existing knowledge bases that can be used to screen vast, unexplored design spaces and efficiently guide the experimental realization of new and improved materials. This Collection welcomes research that combines machine-learning-based material prediction or design with experimental realization.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Electronic materials
• Mechanical materials
• Optical and luminescent materials
• Structural materials
• Nanomaterials
• Catalytic materials

Why is this collection important?

By bringing together advances in machine-learning-driven prediction, design, synthesis, and experimental validation, this Collection aims to showcase emerging strategies that enhance the discovery and optimization of materials across a wide range of applications.

Why submit to a collection?

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by In-House Editors who are experts in their fields and supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.

Who is involved?

Nature Communications is edited by in-house professional editors.

Communications Chemistry is edited by both in-house professional editors and Editorial Board Members.

Communications Materials is edited by both in-house professional editors and Editorial Board Members.

Our editors work closely together to ensure the quality of our published papers and consistency in author experience.

How can I submit my paper?

Visit the Collection page to find out more about this collection and submit your article.