Here's to the future

So, here it is, the final issue of Journal of Materials Chemistry in its current form. Whilst we are very excited about the next phase in the journal's life, we would like to take this opportunity to commemorate Journal of Materials Chemistry and look back over some of the highlights of the last 22 years.

From issue 1 2013, three new journals will replace Journal of Materials Chemistry (Fig. 1). These will each focus on an area of the field as follows:

— Journal of Materials Chemistry A

Materials for energy and sustainability

— Journal of Materials Chemistry B

Materials for biology and medicine

— Journal of Materials Chemistry C

Materials for optical and electronic devices

Each of these three new journals will have the same high standards associated with their parent journal and you can read the Editorials in the first issues of these journals for more information.

Fig. 1 New for 2013 – Journal of Materials Chemistry becomes three.

It is the success of Journal of Materials Chemistry over the last two decades that has allowed this significant evolution. Since its launch in 1991 (Fig. 2), Journal of Materials Chemistry has grown in impact and size to become one of the most important journals in the field for authors to widely disseminate their materials chemistry research on an international stage.

Fig. 2 Cover of volume 1, issue 1 of Journal of Materials Chemistry.

The journal was launched amid the emergence of materials chemistry as a new discipline. The divergence of materials research from the traditional branches of metallurgy, ceramics, and commodity polymers led to an explosion of investigation which continues today into the design and control of the properties of a wide variety of different materials.

The journal has mirrored the field throughout the last 20 years, continually striving to best meet the community's needs as a journal for publishing important advances in the design, synthesis, properties and applications of materials. This has been made possible by the community's support of the journal, and particularly, the input from past and present Editorial and Advisory Board members. Our Board members have provided insight into the field, including the latest important areas of research, and advice on a host of different aspects of the journal – on behalf of the materials community and the RSC, we thank them profusely for their involvement and collaboration.

Some of Journal of Materials Chemistry's highlights include:

—In 1994, the first ever Journal of Materials Chemistry themed issue was published on the topic of Computer Modelling Studies of Condensed Matter. This paved the way for many more issues of topical subjects in the field.

—In 2005, it became the first materials journal to publish weekly issues, doubling in frequency from 2004.

—Also in 2005, sister-journal Soft Matter was launched as a back-to-back publication with Journal of Materials Chemistry.

—In 2010, we began tweeting (@JMaterChem). Our Facebook page followed earlier this year.

—In 2010, the inaugural Journal of Materials Chemistry Lectureship was awarded to Dan Luo, Cornell University, USA. This is now presented annually – look out for the call for nominations for the 2013 Lectureship to be announced shortly!

No journal can exist without the contributions of authors and referees. Journal of Materials Chemistry has benefited from an excellent author base and committed referees. We look forward to working with every one of these on our new ventures!

Finally, we would like to publicly thank those who have worked on Journal of Materials Chemistry over its lifetime, including all who have worked on the editorial and production aspects of the journal, the journal development team, all other RSC staff, our previously mentioned Editorial and Advisory Boards and our predecessors, past Editors and Chairs of Journal of Materials Chemistry – here's to the future!

Dr Liz Dunn, Editor

Professor Seth Marder, Chair of the Editorial Board

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