Inaugural Editorial: Advancing the future of manufacturing through innovation and collaboration

It is with great enthusiasm that we introduce npj Advanced Manufacturing, a journal dedicated to pioneering research in the field of advanced manufacturing. As the Editor-in-Chief, I am honored to launch a platform that will serve as a hub for innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the dissemination of cutting-edge research. Our mission is to provide a space where researchers, engineers, and industry professionals can share their insights, drive technological advancements, and address the pressing challenges facing modern manufacturing.

The decision to launch npj Advanced Manufacturing was driven by the growing need for a journal that can bridge the diverse disciplines involved in advanced manufacturing. With the rapid integration of digital technologies, a heightened focus on sustainability, and the development of novel materials and processes, there is a clear demand for a journal that can bring together diverse perspectives and push the boundaries of what is possible in manufacturing.

npj Advanced Manufacturing covers a broad spectrum of topics essential to the advancement of the field. Our journal welcomes contributions in areas such as digital manufacturing, materials science, smart manufacturing systems, bio-manufacturing, and manufacturing for extreme environments. We also emphasize emerging technologies that hold the potential to transform the manufacturing landscape, including flexible electronics, quantum manufacturing, additive manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

A critical area of focus for the journal is the development of circular materials and the promotion of materials recycling and reuse. These topics are increasingly vital as the global manufacturing industry shifts towards more sustainable practices. By encouraging research in circular materials, we aim to highlight innovative approaches that reduce waste, enhance resource efficiency, and promote a circular economy. This includes studies on the recycling of complex materials, the development of eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and strategies for reusing materials in ways that minimize environmental impact.

Another key focus area is materials and manufacturing for energy applications. As the world increasingly turns to renewable energy sources like batteries and solar power, the need for advanced manufacturing processes that can support these technologies is more critical than ever. Research on the development of high-performance materials for energy storage, such as next-generation battery materials and efficient photovoltaic cells, is essential for advancing energy sustainability. We encourage submissions that explore these topics, offering innovative solutions to the challenges of energy production and storage.

Flexible electronics, for instance, represent a new frontier in manufacturing, enabling the development of wearable devices, smart textiles, and other applications where traditional rigid electronics fall short. Quantum manufacturing, another cutting-edge area, promises to revolutionize the way we approach material processing, computation, and the design of manufacturing systems, offering unprecedented precision and capabilities.

We accept a variety of content types, including original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and commentaries. Our goal is to publish research that not only advances theoretical understanding but also has practical implications for the manufacturing industry. For example, our ongoing collections, such as “Smart Manufacturing for Biomedical Applications”, “Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing” and “Nanomaterials printed in 3D” provide focused platforms for exploring these critical areas in greater depth.

The mission of npj Advanced Manufacturing is to foster a global community dedicated to pushing the frontiers of manufacturing science. By providing a platform for high-quality research, we aim to inspire innovation, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and contribute to the development of new knowledge and technologies that will shape the future of manufacturing.

The focus of npj Advanced Manufacturing is critical to the advancement of the field for several reasons. Manufacturing is no longer confined to traditional processes; it now intersects with various disciplines, including digital technology, materials science, and sustainability. The integration of these fields has opened up new possibilities for efficiency, precision, and customization in manufacturing.

For instance, our “Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing” collection highlights research that explores how smart technologies can be integrated with sustainable practices to optimize manufacturing processes. This aligns with the growing need for manufacturing systems that are not only efficient but also environmentally responsible.

Our ongoing collection on “Nanomaterials Printed in 3D” explores the innovative integration of nanomaterials into additive manufacturing (AM) processes, enabling the creation of functional constructs with unique optical, electrical, thermal, and biological properties. This Collection invites submissions on novel AM process development, nanomaterial design, advanced characterization methods, and applications that showcase the potential of 3D-printed nanomaterials, pushing the boundaries of traditional manufacturing technologies.

In addition to these areas, we strongly encourage submissions in emerging fields like flexible electronics, quantum manufacturing, circular materials, and energy applications. Research on materials and manufacturing processes that support energy sustainability—such as advanced battery technologies, solar energy production, and efficient energy storage—is vital for creating a sustainable future. By focusing on these areas, we aim to contribute to the development of innovative solutions that address some of the most pressing challenges in energy production and sustainability.

We warmly invite researchers, practitioners, and experts in the field to submit their work to npj Advanced Manufacturing. Your contributions are essential to our mission of driving innovation and advancing the field of manufacturing. Whether through original research, perspectives, or reviews, we encourage you to share your insights and findings with our global audience.

In addition to submitting your work, we encourage active engagement with the journal. Participate as reviewers, contribute to special issues, or collaborate with us on future collections. Our current special collections, such as “Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing” and “Nanomaterials printed in 3D,” offer excellent opportunities to showcase your research in areas that are at the forefront of the industry. We also invite you to explore and consider submitting to our upcoming collections on “Digital Twins,” “Space Manufacturing,” and “Additive Manufacturing of Ceramic Materials for Extreme Environments,” among others.

Looking ahead, npj Advanced Manufacturing has ambitious plans for growth. We are committed to expanding our editorial board to include more experts from around the world, ensuring that our journal reflects the global nature of the field. We also plan to collaborate with other Nature Portfolio journals to create cross-journal collections that explore the intersections between manufacturing and other scientific disciplines.

Our long-term vision is to establish npj Advanced Manufacturing as a leading journal in the field, recognized for its high-impact research and its role in advancing manufacturing technologies. We aim to be a driving force in the development of new knowledge, fostering innovation, and addressing the most pressing challenges in manufacturing.