On a Good Way: The First Year of Advanced Theory and Simulations

Abstract

A year ago, we proudly announced the launch of our new interdisciplinary premium journal Advanced Theory and Simulations. We claimed that “(the journal) will expand the well-established Advanced brand of journals by providing a new platform for bringing together the underlying theoretical aspect of research areas in the general fields of materials science and natural sciences.” And we also stated that we “aim for publishing excellent results from a broad scope of research areas.” Now that nearly twelve months have passed, it does not seem too presumptuous when stating that these goals indeed have been reached. Starting in January 2018, we have published issues on a monthly basis, with an increasing number of articles (and an increasing number of submissions), covering a broad range of topics, and authored by leading experts in the respective fields. An overview of the most accessed articles from 2017/2018 can be found in Table 1, with topics including microelectronics, semiconductors, micellization, nanomechanics, CO2 reduction, resistive switching, and metamaterials—to only name a few. Another topic of growing interest is the field of machine learning and deep learning, and we have recently launched a virtual issue collecting articles published in Advanced Theory and Simulations that highlight outstanding work in these areas. More details can be found in the special features section of the journal homepage (http://www.advtheorysimul.com). “Given the advancements in simulation across all disciplines, it is almost mandatory to have a journal in which new innovative concepts and evidence-based applications can be presented and discussed. Advanced Theory and Simulations is the journal that meets these demands and I am sure it will be one of the international promoters for conceptual progress in complexity and simulation studies.” Ortwin Renn, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Potsdam “Theory and Simulation are now essential to virtually every field of scientific research. Advanced Theory and Simulations fills an important need in providing a new and excellent forum that showcases cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in these areas.” Leeor Kronik, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovoth “Having been an ardent supporter of Advanced Materials since its launch 30 years ago and having participated in its diversification early with Advanced Functional Materials, it is with great enthusiasm that I welcomed the extension of the Advanced family to Advanced Theory and Simulations. ATS is quickly establishing itself as a premier location for materials-oriented theoretical conceptual advances and computational applications.” Jean-Luc Brédas, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta “Advanced Theory and Simulations offers an innovative platform where the synergy of theoretical concepts and efficient algorithms qualifies simulation as a self-standing interdisciplinary field of high impact in modern science.” Luigi Delle Site, Freie Universität Berlin The journal also benefits from impressive cover designs provided by our authors. Of course, it's a matter of taste which of the covers you like best, but I trust that the selection provided in Figure 1 presents a nice overview of the different successful approaches to visualize scientific achievements and, thereby, also attracting additional attention for the presented research as well as for the journal. Last but not least, and on behalf of the entire editorial team, I would like to thank all those who made the impressive development of Advanced Theory and Simulations possible: a dedicated and truly interdisciplinary editorial board (some of its members were kind enough to share their thoughts via the quotes cited in this Editorial), our authors and referees who submit their research results and help to select and publish the best content—and of course our readers for their continuous interest. We hope that you have enjoyed the first year as much as we did and are looking forward to accompanying the journal on its way into an exciting future! Stefan Spiegel (Editor-in-Chief)