Environmental Science: Nano – Editors' symposium, revised scope and first impact factor

I am delighted to let everyone know that we just recently learned that Environmental Science: Nano has received a first partial Impact Factor of 5.896 in the latest 2015 Journal Citation Reports® (Thomson Reuters). To put this into perspective, this places us in the top 4% of the JCR Environmental Sciences category (9/225). All of the Editors and Editorial Board members are very pleased with this first impact factor and it suggests we are on the right track. On behalf of the Editors and Editorial Board, I would like to thank Environmental Science: Nano authors, reviewers and readers for your support and for your significant contribution to this successful first milestone for the journal. Several of our authors have corresponded with us to let us know their thoughts of this partial Impact Factor. Comments we received included “That's great news!”, “This impact factor is really impressive for a new journal!”, “Congrats!!! This is really good news”, “Great news! Thank you.” We thank everyone for their enthusiastic comments.

While celebrating this initial success, we must also insure that the journal is covering the topics that are of greatest interest and impact to the scientific community. In March 2016, Environmental Science: Nano Editors and Editorial Board members had an opportunity to meet in London at the Editors' symposium hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The event provides Editors and Editorial Board members with the opportunity to learn more about the Royal Society of Chemistry publishing activities and the publishing business in general. Highlighting the role of a society publisher and the high professional standards, careful attention to detail, and commitment to excellence. As part of this meeting, Environmental Science: Nano Editors and Editorial Board members had the opportunity to review the scope of the journal. This review gave us the opportunity to focus on what articles we would like to continue to receive, and more importantly what may be missing. With this in mind, the Board puts forth the following updated scope of Environmental Science: Nano:

 

Environmental Science: Nano is a comprehensive source of information on nanomaterial interactions with biological and environmental systems, and the design and use of engineered nanomaterials for sustainability. Developing nanotechnology sustainably requires fundamental understanding of how nanomaterial properties affect their reactivity, environmental fate, and toxicity in a range of environmental and biological media/systems. Leveraging nanomaterials for sustainability requires understanding how nanomaterial properties can be controlled to optimize the benefits of a particular technology.

Environmental Science: Nano covers the benefits and implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology on environmental and human health and the sustainable design, development and use of nanotechnologies. This includes the following.

• Rational design

• Life cycle implications

• Quantifying the benefits and risks of nanomaterial applications

• Biological uptake, ecotoxicity and human-related toxicity

• Novel applications for water, air, soil, food and energy

• Characterisation in biological and environmental media

• Nano–bio interactions

• Environmental fate, reactivity and transformations

• Environmental remediation

 

One of the main differences is that we have now highlighted our interest in novel applications for water, air, soil, food and energy. As I noted in my last editorial, Associate Editor Gregory Lowry has prepared some guidance on the type of papers Environmental Science: Nano is looking for in this area, which is available in our journal guidelines.

In closing, I want to note that Environmental Science: Nano has two indicators within the last year (immediacy index and partial impact factor) that show we continue to be on a path of excellence. I look forward to working with all of you to continue on this positive trajectory.

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