ACS is proud to announce the launch of a new journal, ACS Energy Letters, dedicated to showcasing the latest findings in energy conversion and storage from a variety of chemistry disciplines. Leading this exciting new journal is Dr. Prashant Kamat, principal scientist at the University of Notre Dame’s Radiation Laboratory. What are your goals as […]
ACS is proud to announce the launch of a new journal, ACS Energy Letters, dedicated to showcasing the latest findings in energy conversion and storage from a variety of chemistry disciplines. Leading this exciting new journal is Dr. Prashant Kamat, principal scientist at the University of Notre Dame’s Radiation Laboratory.
What are your goals as Editor-in-Chief?
Energy research has recently emerged as a new discipline, drawing attention from diverse areas. Given the urgency to communicate new advances within the scientific community, there is a need to publish new scientific advances rapidly and effectively. This journal will fill the void for rapid communication of significant findings in energy conversion and storage. We want to make ACS Energy Letters the go-to place for authors and readers to obtain the latest developments in the energy field. By creating a trustworthy publication platform for disseminating high-quality scientific research, we expect to build a premier journal in the discipline.
What is the intended impact of this journal?
As a vibrant new journal in the ACS family, ACS Energy Letters will attract authors and readers from many energy subdisciplines by presenting sound science and breakthrough research. By covering a broad range of topics in fundamental and applied research, the journal will appeal to theoretical chemists, experimentalists, and energy device makers who want to gain insights into new energy advances. Multimedia and social media will play an important role in publicizing these research articles, allowing our authors to further increase the impact of their published work.
What are the biggest challenges facing this field? How will this journal meet them?
As the field of energy research grows, we need to communicate quickly. Our first goal is to use a rapid publication platform to promote ACS Energy Letters to researchers across various disciplines (e.g., energy materials, photosynthesis, and energy conversion and storage).
Perspectives and Reviews of selected topics will broadcast emerging research areas. Senior editors who are practicing scientists will process manuscripts within hours of submission. Pagination of ASAP articles will allow our authors to cite their articles at first sight. Direct communication with our authors and readers will further allow our editorial team to establish well-trusted partnerships with researchers.
Who should submit? Who should read?
Researchers who have an interest in advancing the fundamental understanding of new light harvesting assemblies, solar cells, solar fuels, biofuels, fuel cells, storage batteries, and designing efficient devices will find the journal extremely useful.
Why did you want to be the EIC of this journal? What are you most looking forward to about this new position?
For more than three decades, I have been actively involved in research related to light energy conversion and the storage aspects of nanomaterials. With this experience, I am now in a position to lead ACS Energy Letters and reach out to the research community to provide them with a platform to discuss emerging topics and issues related to energy. I am excited to be part of this venture.
It is an exciting time to lead a journal that is devoted to energy research. Our goal is to raise the bar for energy journals and make our authors aware of the salient features of our new journal. Rapid communication of scientific results will remain a major attraction. I’m also looking forward to seeking Perspectives articles from prominent researchers, which will enable us to further strengthen the visibility (and hence the impact) of ACS Energy Letters. In addition, we will offer multimedia features for our authors to communicate their findings through videos and LiveSlides.
How did you first become interested in your journal’s area of focus?
Even in childhood, I was fascinated with nature’s ability to capture the sun’s rays and store energy in the form of food (carbohydrates). This passion led me to study photoelectrochemical light energy conversion during my graduate research in late 1970s. For more than three decades, I have been actively involved in various aspects of energy research, working with students, postdoctoral research associates, and collaborators.
The decision to introduce a journal devoted to new advances in energy research is timely. I hope it energizes young researchers to tackle clean energy challenges. I am thankful to the ACS governing board and ACS Publications for giving me this opportunity to lead ACS Energy Letters. I am delighted to lead this journal now and offer my services to the scientific community.
How does research in your journal’s area affect people’s everyday lives?
Today, most everyone is aware of the importance of renewable energy in meeting our demand for clean energy. The harvesting of solar and wind energy is growing globally by more than 10% annually. Such energy conversion systems need to be matched with storage devices. Advances made in storage batteries can directly improve the performance of devices we have come to rely on in our day-to-day lives, such as cell phones and automobiles.
Learn more about the journal and submit your best research.
