The development of Green Materials Free

The growth and development of green materials are on the upswing. Increasing economic, environmental and regulatory demands have driven determined chemists, engineers and physicists in academic and industrial research environments to transform the field of sustainable and green polymers and materials. This strength in scientific discovery is particularly apparent in an examination of the scientific literature. Figure 1 shows recent data for articles published in the past 10 years, using the search terms (green or sustainable) and (polymer or material). As is readily apparent, the field has seen steady growth in the past decade, with yearly output having nearly tripled over this period.

The importance of this field led to the development of Green Materials as a new journal published by ICE Science. As we come to our last issue in a successful first year, I recognize that the development of Green Materials as a journal needs to mirror the growth of the field itself. Two strengths of Green Materials have been the diversity of scientific discovery and determination of scientists worldwide to promote growth. The breadth of contributions we have received throughout the year highlights our journal’s diversity. We featured clay-based foils¹  and foams ² ; new polyesters,^3–5 polyurethanes,⁶  polycarbonates⁷  and polyamides⁸  derived from renewable resources; and applied green materials research investigating lignin transformations,⁹  physicothermomechanical properties,¹⁰  recycled paints¹¹  and materials degradation.¹² 

Coupled with these important contributions, I have been assisted by an excellent team. Our Editorial Board features world leaders in Green Materials. From promotion of the journal to the submission of some of our best articles, to key contributions on the direction and focus for our current efforts and future growth, to critical and consistent evaluation of submitted contributions, these experts have driven our expansion and will continue to play an integral part in Green Materials’ success. Figure 2 highlights the depth of our Editorial Board. In particular, I would like to highlight the leadership of Chuanbing Tang and Qing Wang who led our first Themed Issue on Next-Generation Renewable Polymers. Chuanbing develops renewable polymers from rosins¹³  and renewable monomers,¹⁴  with strength in both ring-opening and controlled radical polymerizations. Qing is pioneering ferroelectric nanocomposites and conjugated polymers as attractive alternatives to traditional ceramics.¹⁵  Michael Cunningham will lead our next Themed Issue on Carbon Dioxide Responsive Switchable Materials along with Philip Jessop from Queen’s University in Canada. Michael’s diverse sustainable materials expertise ranges from aqueous dispersion controlled radical polymerizations¹⁶  to switchable surfactants¹⁷  and latexes.¹⁸  Jaime Grunlan continues to play a giant role in this journal’s success. Alongside providing vocal leadership for our promotion efforts, Jaime will team with Jeff Youngblood and Lars Wågberg to develop a green nanocomposites Themed Issue in late 2014. Jaime also has a wide breadth of materials science expertise, with key contributions in exfoliated nanosheets,¹⁹  clay dispersions and nanocomposites²⁰  and layer-by-layer assembly.²¹ 

I hope you will join me in celebrating the first year of our new Green Materials journal and welcome you to consider contributing original research and review articles throughout 2014.