EcoMat: Join us in the pursuit of functional materials for green energy and environment

The Doomsday Clock—a metaphoric design indicating the chances of a global catastrophe to humanity—has been set at a record close of 2 minutes from midnight since 2017 and one of the prime contributing factors is “a growing disregard for the expertise needed to address climate change”. The use of fossil fuel has propelled mankind toward cycles of industrial and technological revolutions; however, our Earth has taken a great toll with massive emission of greenhouse gases causing the rise of sea levels, deforestation as a result of insatiable demands for land and various forms of pollution from anthropogenic activities. While talks of the sixth mass extinction may be a bit far-fetched, it is clear that global warming is threatening to bring an end to humanity. Scientists nowadays must shoulder equal, if not more, responsibility as policy makers in using our expertise to ensure technological advancement does not come with a cost to our environment and ecosystems. EcoMat envisions to serve as a world-leading platform for the exchange of ideas and expertise to tackle impending complex issues on energy, environment, and pollution research with eco-friendly materials. We welcome submission of Original Research Articles, Reviews and Highlights; we will also invite prominent researchers to give their critical opinions through Editorials and Perspectives. Contributors are kindly referred to our Author Guidelines for more details on the criterion of the article types. The Editorial Board of EcoMat is comprised of prominent experts around the world spanning across multiple research fields. Our Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Zijian Zheng from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, is an up-and-coming scientist that harbors interests in the research of surface and polymer science as well as flexible and wearable materials. His experience as Guests Editors for Advanced Materials and Small are highly valuable for leading EcoMat forward. Supporting our Editor-in-Chief are Associate Editors Prof. SonBinh Nguyen (Northwestern University, USA), Prof. Sang Il Seok (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea) and Prof. Huijun Zhao (Griffith University, Australia). Prof. Nguyen is a highly cited researcher in the catalytic synthesis of living polymers and porous materials while Prof Seok is an expert in the research on perovskite solar cells. Prof Zhao's work in energy and environmental nanomaterials and water source control has led to a prolific publication record followed by successful translation into commercial uses. The Editorial Board is highly motivated and promises full commitment to developing EcoMat into a world-leading journal which makes a significant impact to the world in the direction toward green energy and a sustainable environment.