10th anniversary of Environmental Science: Nano

Happy New Year! It is hard to believe, but 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Environmental Science: Nano. Over the past 10 years our journal has grown substantially both in terms of our scope and our content. In 2014 we published 48 articles, while in 2023 this number has grown five-fold to almost 250. In total, over ten years we have had the privilege of publishing 2100 papers from 9632 authors and 1352 different corresponding authors. Impressively, these papers reflect contributions from 111 different countries across the world! We are continually honored that so many in the global environmental nanoscience community have chosen to publish their work with us.

Ever since its initial beginnings, Environmental Science: Nano has sought to disseminate impactful research examining the environmental implications and the environmental applications of nanomaterials. This mission continues both today and into the future.

While the relative numbers of published papers focused on the implications of nanomaterials have declined in response to changes in funding and shifting research interests, Environmental Science: Nano remains committed to publishing work that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the transport, toxicology, and fate of emerging nanomaterials.

As we approach the start of the second quarter of the 21st century, our global society has truly entered the cyber-physical age. Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are increasingly an everyday part of many people's lives. Whether it be self-driving cars, smart agriculture, or the automated process and control of water distribution networks, CPS often incorporate nanomaterials that perform vital functional roles. Quantifying the environmental benefits as well as the implications of these nanomaterial-enabled systems is increasingly of interest and we are already seeing this in the pages of Environmental Science: Nano. Further, developments in CPS as well as in other nanoscience arenas (improved battery technologies, photovoltaics, sensors, etc.) are being used to address important societal sustainability challenges, such as those delineated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As documented within Environmental Science: Nano, environmental nanoscience clearly has an important role to play in the development of equitable solutions to these wicked, yet globally critical problems.

In 2024, we will publish themed collections focused on the Nanocircular Economy, Advanced Materials, and a soon-to-be announced collection on Nanosensors. In addition, we will publish a themed issue dedicated to the memory of our friend, colleague, and former ES:Nano associate editor, Joel Pedersen. Further, throughout the year we will revisit contributions from the past ten years while looking towards our future. We hope you will continue to join us on this exciting journey.

Peter Vikesland

Nick Prillaman Professor, Virginia Tech

Editor-in-Chief, Environmental Science: Nano

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