Guest Editor: Prof. Mahdi Abu Omar, UCSB

An-Najah National University (www.najah.edu) is a dynamic center of learning that fosters science, knowledge, and understanding. It offers undergraduate programs in Medicine, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences, along with various graduate courses in the humanities and social sciences. Since its establishment as a full university in 1977, An-Najah has advanced modern knowledge while preserving Palestinian history, heritage, and culture. As the largest university in Palestine, it serves over 23,000 students across 11 faculties, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate specializations.

An-Najah University Journal for Research - A (Natural Sciences) (journals.najah.edu) is an interdisciplinary, hybrid, open-access journal that publishes original research in Natural and Applied Sciences. It upholds a strict peer-review policy, ensuring integrity and transparency with authors and reviewers. All materials in the journal are freely and permanently accessible online upon publication, with no subscription or registration fees.

Prof. Mahdi Abu Omar has agreed to serve as Guest Editor for this special issue. Prof.  Abu Omar holds the Endowed Mellichamp Chair in Green Chemistry and he is a Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in the departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering. His research accomplishments include selective conversion of biomass lignin to biophenols, the creation of renewable and recyclable plastics based on lignin, and the chemical recycling of plastics. He has authored/co-authored more than 200 original research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, mentored 64 Ph.D. and postdoctoral students, and held faculty appointments at Purdue University and UCLA. Mahdi is the recipient of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Affordable Green Chemistry Award in 2022 and was elected Fellow of the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2012.

This special issue focuses on recent advances in natural sciences, engineering, and agriculture, emphasizing the role of materials in enhancing sustainability and resource efficiency. Additionally, the issue will highlight innovations in nanotechnology, smart materials, green chemistry, circular economy approaches, life cycle analysis, artificial intelligence and machine learning to interpret results, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. The goal is to advance fundamental and applied research that promotes environmentally friendly and economically viable solutions.

Topics of Interest:
We encourage researchers to submit original research articles, perspectives and review articles on but not limited to the following topics:

1. Perovskite Solar Cells and Advanced Photovoltaics
2. Membrane Technologies for Desalination and Water Purification
3. AI-Driven Energy Management and Process Optimization
4. Nanomaterials for Environmental Remediation and Green Catalysis
5. Machine Learning in Materials Discovery
6. Solid-State Batteries and Next-Generation Energy Storage
7. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
8. Biodegradable and Recyclable Polymers
9. Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Utilization
10. Waste-to-Fuel Technologies
11. Chemical Recycling of plastics and Circular Economy Strategies
12. Green Synthesis of Functional Materials
13. Bio-Based Chemicals, Materials and Fertilizers

We also welcome submissions on related innovative topics contributing to sustainable chemistry and material science.

Submission Guidelines:
All articles will undergo peer review in accordance with the journal's policies. Submissions should adhere to the journal's formatting and ethical guidelines.

Deadline: July 1^st. 2025

Expected Issue publication date: November 2025

· Early Online Publication: Once a paper is accepted, it will be published immediately online as "First Online" with an official DOI number.

· Journal Access: An-Najah University Journal for Research - A (Natural Sciences) is a fully open-access and free journal.

Submission Portal: https://journals.najah.edu/journal/anujr-a/details/

We look forward to your valuable contributions to advancing science and sustainability.