MSDE
A molecular engineering journal: building and designing systems from the molecular level.
Editor-in-Chief: Claire S Adjiman
Publishing model: Hybrid
Molecular Systems Design & Engineering (MSDE) publishes work which establishes new understanding of molecular properties and behaviours, and uses this understanding to design and assemble better materials, systems, and processes to achieve specific functions.
At the interface of the chemical sciences and engineering, this unique journal is a joint venture between the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
The MSDE proposition, at the crossroads between pressing societal needs and emerging scientific innovation, is timely and compelling. The journal excels at bringing together researchers across often disparate fields of research to form a “molecular systems design community"
Claire Adjiman, Editor-in-chief
Scope
Molecular Systems Design & Engineering (MSDE) is an interdisciplinary journal reporting cutting-edge molecular engineering research.
Molecular engineering employs experimental, theoretical and computational approaches to establish new understanding of molecular properties and behaviours, and uses this understanding to design and assemble better materials, systems, and processes to achieve specific functions. MSDE provides a hub for research into new understanding of molecular systems and the use of this understanding in applications of technological significance that help address global challenges.
MSDE brings together physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and materials science to address:
- New concepts, capabilities and tools based on the study of the behaviour of molecular systems
- Screening, design, engineering, and optimisation of molecules, materials, and systems
- The conception, design, or engineering of functional devices based on molecular principles
- Development or use of statistical or machine learning methodologies for molecular design
- Integrated artificial intelligence and automated robotics in experimental science
All papers should address a molecular design or optimisation strategy. This can include the implementation of a molecular design or optimisation strategy targeting the functionality and performance of a system or process of interest. It can also include the development of a new molecular design or optimisation strategy based on fundamental insight into the parameters of a system or process of interest. Methodologies that have utility beyond the scope of the reported work, those covering multiple scales, and those discussing potential technological advances and applications, are particularly encouraged.
Examples of relevant systems and applications include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Energy: batteries, solar devices, fuel cells, thermoelectrics, electrocatalysis & photocatalysis
- Environmental: membranes, porous materials, detection & monitoring devices
- Bioengineering: imaging & diagnostics, tissue engineering & regeneration, therapeutics design & delivery, immune engineering.
- Quantum engineering: computing, cryptography, sensors, photonics
- Nano-manufacturing and control: directed self-assembly, nano-lithography, additive manufacturing
- Hard and soft materials: liquid crystals, ceramics, lubricants, polymers, glasses
- Electronics: molecular wires and switches, organic devices
- Processes: catalysis, solvents, chemical manufacturing, CO2 capture
The combination of articles focused on new methods with those focused on specific applications provides an ideal opportunity to identify cross-pollination between these two distinct, but mutually reinforcing, thrusts
Andrew Ferguson, Deputy Editor-in-chief
Journal Impact Factor
3.2 (2025)
First decision time (all)
16.5 days
First decision time (peer reviewed)
40 days
Indexing
eISSN: 2058-9689
Indexed in: Scopus, Web of Science: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE)
Publish in this journal
We encourage authors to review the information below and read our author guidelines before submitting their manuscript.
Ready to go? Submit now
There are no fees to submit to or publish in this journal.
As a hybrid journal, authors can choose to publish their article either through the journal's subscription model or as gold open access. Authors who choose the option to publish open access will be charged an APC of £3,100.
If you choose open access you may be able to publish in this journal, with no APC to pay, if your institution has an open access agreement with us. You can use our Journal Finder to find out if your institution has an agreement and which journals are included.
Read more about payments and funding for information on APCs, discounts, waivers, and open access agreements.
Get your manuscript submission ready with our new submission checker tool. You can instantly check if your manuscript meets your chosen journal's guidelines and requirements, check formatting and receive helpful hints to get you ready to submit.
MSDE publishes:
- Communications
- Full papers
- Reviews
- Minireviews
- Perspectives
- Comments
Read the author guidelines for more information on article types and how to prepare your article for submission.
Find guidance on our publishing process, editorial policies and the responsibilities of authors and reviewers throughout the publication process.
- Our publishing process and editorial policies, including our initial assessment of submissions, our journal transfer service and the publication of accepted manuscripts.
- Our guidance for authors on their responsibilities and the code of conduct they should follow when submitting to our journals.
- Our guidance for reviewers on the procedure and requirements to assess manuscripts submitted to our journals.
Author guidelines
Our author guidelines explain how to prepare and submit your article and provide useful information on the review and publication process including transfers, revisions and any article processing charges (APCs) that may apply.
Meet the team
Meet the people supporting this journal, including its leadership, editors, advisors, and the editorial office.
Contact the editorial office
We're here to help. Contact the editorial office if you have any questions about publishing your paper with us.
Sign up for journal email alerts
Get table of contents alerts and notifications about calls for papers, themed issues and more.
Calls for papers
Any open calls for papers for this journal are shown below. All submissions to our open calls will undergo an initial assessment by the journal editors and subsequent peer review as per the usual policies of RSC journals.
Prizes and recognition
MSDE outstanding reviewers
Recognising outstanding peer reviewers.
More from the RSC
Join us
Become a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Grants, bursaries and other funding options from the RSC
We offer grants to support travel, events, outreach and research, personal support and guidance
Research and innovation
The likely future of where chemistry’s greatest contributions will be – as well as the regulatory and funding environments needed to achieve them.