1 Dear colleagues

Decidedly, 2020 was a challenging year. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Following this announcement, countries around the globe implemented lockdown strategies of varying degrees. Universities and research institutions were abruptly closed, large and small businesses were shut down, and international travel was put on hold. In spite of these extraordinary challenges, the research community remained committed and safely adapted to the new environment with buoyancy and determination to continue their research. This was ably supported by administrators in universities and public and private research institutions world over to facilitate safe, socially distant working environments. In my own university, it was truly well executed by both staff and students. It is our responsibility as scientists to ensure the continuity of our research to not only overcome the challenges posed by this pandemic but also attend to societal needs.

It is appropriate now to recognize and applaud our colleagues who worked tirelessly around the clock to develop new vaccines to combat COVID-19 in a historically short time. This is a testament to their determination, ability and commitment to the greater good. We must do everything in our capacity to protect and promote the continuity of our scientific research and apply our collective knowledge to facilitate the return to normalcy. Undoubtedly, 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, but let us look forward to 2021 and continue our research efforts unabated by the challenges of COVID-19.

In spite of the pandemic, our International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design (MAMD) remains at the forefront of Mechanics of Materials Journals. MAMD is a peer reviewed journal that publishes high-impact research contributions that are innovative in nature and transformative in focus in the rapidly changing fields of mechanics and materials and their implementation in engineering design. MAMD provides a forum for the dissemination of cutting-edge research in all fields of applied mechanics and engineered multifunctional materials, and strives to report the most recent advances in these important fields. Specifically, MAMD covers the following topics:

  • Multiscale modeling at varied length scales,

  • Computational mechanics at varied length scales,

  • Multifunctional nanocomposites,

  • Smart materials and adaptive structures,

  • Optimisation techniques concerned with mechanics of materials,

  • Elastostatic and dynamic response of engineering systems,

  • Damage and fracture mechanics, and

  • Experimental techniques at varied length scales.

You would be pleased to know that in spite of the challenges of COVID-19, we continue to receive a substantial number of very high quality articles that either have been published, accepted or are currently being peer reviewed.

MAMD features a distinguished Editorial Board, which brings together a team of highly experienced specialists in all aspects of mechanics of materials. In addition to the advice and support provided by them, I’m ably assisted by three Associate Editors: Professor Chuanzeng Zhang of the University of Siegen (Germany), Professor Xiong Zhang of Tsinghua University (China) and Professor Mario Guagliano of Politecnico di Milano (Italy). I take this opportunity to thank them most sincerely for their unlimited support, timely processing of the manuscripts and for guiding the journal to greater heights. Undoubtedly, the success of MAMD is attributed to our talented authors and their scholarly contributions, our expert reviewers for devoting valuable time to review manuscripts and the guidance of our distinguished Editorial Board.

It is truly an honor to be the Editor-in-Chief of MAMD, and with my team of highly qualified and dedicated editors, we look forward to serving you and making MAMD your journal of choice.

I wish you all happy, prosperous and peaceful New Year full of discoveries and exciting innovations. Please remain safe and healthy.