Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and educated in the USSR, the part now known as the Russian Federation, and started my career (after gaining my Ph.D. in 1987) at the Institute of Continuum Media Mechanics of the USSR Academy of Sciences. I spent most of the 1990s in Germany; first, as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the German Aerospace Association and then at TU München. In 2000, I was appointed to the Chair of Mechanics of Materials at the Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Loughborough University, UK, where I currently head the Mechanics of Advanced Materials Research Group with some 30+ members and am also the Director of the International Centre of Vibro-Impact Systems. I am a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Institute of Physics. I am also an Honorary Professor at Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Russia.
What is the scope of Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Modern Processes
Currently, it [Mechanics of Materials] is going through a period of revival thanks to three main factors
Generally, Mechanics of Materials is quite a mature branch of science, with its foundations laid in the 18th century. Currently, it is going through a period of revival thanks to three main factors. The first is a swift introduction of new materials (and even their classes) into various engineering applications. Typical examples here are graphene and 2d materials. The second factor is a continuing expansion of usability envelopes for parts made of traditional materials that are exposed to more and more demanding loading and environmental conditions. The last—but not the least—reason is a growing interest to in-silico solutions for medical applications, based on understanding of mechanics of biological and biomedical materials. All these areas are covered by the journal.
Additionally, it focuses on materials processes since during their manufacture materials are often exposed to more severe conditions than in their service. Typical examples are forming and machining processes. So, understanding of materials behaviours under such conditions allows their optimisation and prediction of resultant microstructures, properties and performance of manufactured components and structures.
What advice would you give a researcher before submitting to MAMMP?
The most important point to consider is the scope of my journal: we receive manuscripts about topics that are very much out of the journal’s scope. This would save our time and efforts and—importantly—accelerate the publication process for the authors.
Another point: please consider that at the moment, thanks to a sponsorship, we managed to fully waive the article-processing charge for all manuscripts. This regime will be in place until the end of 2016.
How do you see open access developing in the journal’s field and what might be your response to open access sceptics?
Some four or five years ago, there was a strong feeling that the entire publishing industry would soon switch to open access. Now the system is more nuanced, with traditional and open access journals co-existing (the former also provide some open access options). Still, the open access movement is becoming a more prominent feature, especially due to its strong support by various funding agencies (especially governmental) in different countries.
Visit the journal website to learn more about Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Modern Processes
