Surface Innovations

Types of submissions for Surface Innovations

The ICE Publishing electronic submission system accepts the following article categories for Surface Innovations:

• Invited Feature Articles
• Innovation Letters
• Original Research
• Expert Opinion
• Discussion Comments
• Themed Issue

Please visit https://ice-review.rivervalley.io/journal/jsuin to submit your paper.

Original Research (max. 5,000 words*)

An original report of primary research, detailing techniques and approaches and the work’s contribution to the field. There are two sub-categories of research articles: i) original scientific accounts that address problems and questions relevant to surfaces and interfaces; ii) original engineering innovations describing fabrication and characterization of novel, functional, and/or responsive surfaces.

Invited Feature Articles (max. 7,000 words)

State-of-the-art reviews with an up-to-date summary of knowledge on a particular subject or issue in the field of surfaces/interfaces and representing an overview of recent developments. These articles are written by experts in a field who have made important contributions to a specific topic in recent years who are invited by the Editor-in-Chief and/or Associate Editors.

Researchers who are not invited but are willing to prepare such a contribution are encouraged to email a one-page proposal for an Invited Feature Article to the Editor-in-Chief for consideration.

Innovation Letters (max. 3,000 words)

These are brief reports of significant, original and timely research results on the science and engineering of surfaces or interfaces, detailing preliminary results and warranting rapid publication. Also includes technical notes, relating to the latest technological, experimental or methodological developments within the authors field and should refer to the intended application. These letters will undergo a regular review process.

This category will also include:

Intriguing Innovation or Intriguing Phenomenon

Emphasizing papers that present intriguing observations and innovations, even if they are not complete pieces of scientific/engineering art and difficult to explain or implement.

Expert Opinion (max. 3,000 words)

Three types of contributions are considered: 1) Practical guides on experimental methods and protocols related to surface characterizations; and 2) Critical analysis of terminology used in surface/interfacial science; and 3) Critical analysis of research directions and interpretations in surface/interfacial science.

Through invited contributions, the journal offers scientific definitions combined with practical recommendations in an effort to combat misconceptions, abuses and misuses of surface chemistry terminology as well as growing misunderstanding and confusion among surface chemistry researchers working around the globe.

These articles are written by the Editorial Board members and other experts in a field who have made important contributions to a specific topic in recent years, and who are invited by the Editor-in-Chief and/or Associate Editors. These editors together with selected Editorial Board members will make a determination on fast publication of the opinion.

Researchers who are not invited but are willing to prepare such a contribution are encouraged to email a brief proposal for an Expert Opinion to the Editor-in-Chief for consideration.

Discussion comments (max. 1,000 words)

Brief responses to articles published in Surface Innovations. It should be a respectful presentation of alternative points of view, which also directs to errors in the published article(s).

The authors of the original Article will be offered the opportunity to submit a response.

Themed Issue (max. 6,000 words)

Only articles invited by the guest editors and editors of special issues can be submitted under this category.

* The word count exceeding this limit should be discussed with the journal editor.

Emerald’s Policy on AI Usage

Emerald’s overarching principles of AI usage:

1) Authors and peer reviewers are responsible and accountable for the accuracy and integrity of their work.

2) AI tools and technology must be used responsibly and transparently.

3) AI tools and technology should not replace human involvement in the publication process but instead supplement it.

Copywriting (creating, drafting, or writing) any part of a submission using generative AI tools and technology to generate new material is not permitted.

Copy-editing (correcting, editing, formatting, modifying, or refining) all or part of an author’s own original existing work using generative AI tools and technology the content to improve its structure and the clarity of the language and grammar is permitted, ensuring users adhere to the following overarching principles.

Emerald’s full policy, including examples of use cases can be found on our Publishing Ethics page.