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Ongoing
Academic Video Service Update: Pricing Changes, Vouchers, and New Scholar Profile
Dear Valued Customers, We are writing to inform you of upcoming changes to our video services that will take effect on February 3, 2026, at 00:00 (Swiss time). 1. Price Adjustment We will be discontinuing the discounts previously offered for our video services, and prices will revert to their original rates. Video Abstract: 600 CHF Short Take: 500 CHF Scholar Interview: 400 CHF 2. Introduction of Vouchers We are excited to announce that we will now support the use of MDPI Reviewer Vouchers and Video Production Vouchers. The relevant usage rules are as follows: Each video may be redeemed using one Reviewer Voucher or one Video Production Voucher. MDPI Reviewer Vouchers can only be used by the voucher owner, while Video Production Vouchers have no user restriction. 3. New Scholar Profile We are introducing a new type of video product: the Scholar Profile. This creates a personalized showcase for scholars by documenting their academic journeys and highlighting their achievements. The price for this service is 500 CHF. We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this transition. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team. Thank you for choosing our services. Sincerely, MDPI Author Services
Announcement 02 Feb 2026
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Impact Report 2025: How MDPI Video Abstracts Enhance Research Visibility
Highlights Video Abstracts (VAs) have evolved from experimental novelties into essential tools for research dissemination, significantly enhancing scholarly communication in a digital-first era, offering a repeatable model for maximizing impact in a competitive digital landscape. The MDPI Video Service produced 118 professional VAs in collaboration with 68 journals across 11 disciplines, serving 1,149 researchers and fostering a vibrant academic community in 2025. Video abstracts produced by MDPI's Video Service significantly boost article visibility, downloads, and citations, with case studies showing marked increases across journals such as Remote Sensing, Animals, Nutrients, and Entropy. 1. Introduction In 2011, quantum physicist Barry Sanders and his team at the University of Calgary broke new ground by publishing a video abstract (VA) alongside their pioneering research on qubits [1]. This four-minute visual summary, shared on YouTube amid viral content of cats and pop music, demonstrated a transformative idea: complex science could be communicated dynamically, reaching audiences far beyond traditional academic circles. Over a decade later, video abstracts (VAs) have evolved from experimental novelties into essential tools for research dissemination. As digital platforms dominate how knowledge is consumed and shared, the question is no longer whether video abstracts will endure, but how they redefine scholarly impact. In 2025, MDPI launched its Academic Video Service, aiming to support scholars through the production of Video Abstracts, Short Takes, Scholar Interviews, and Profile Videos. MDPI’s Video Service has witnessed a remarkable surge in interest from researchers worldwide. A growing community of scholars has progressed from discovering video abstracts for the first time to actively embracing their production, recognizing their power to transform specialized research into accessible knowledge. This report compiles and analyzes most of the data from the MDPI video service, with a focus on evaluating the role of VAs in enhancing scholarly communication. 2. Background and Market Context 2.1. The Visual Turn in Scholarly Communication The global video streaming market is projected to grow from USD 131.44 billion in 2024 to approximately USD 599.2 billion in 2033 [2], and many findings have indicated that this will be progressively accompanied by the use of social networking tools for informal scholarly communication [3], reflecting the increasing social reliance on video-based content. Within this context, scholarly communication is undergoing a “visual shift,” leading to the rise of VAs. The evolution of academic video publication—from early initiatives such as Screenworks (distributed alongside The Journal of Media Practice on DVD in 2006) to established platforms like JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments)—reflects the formal recognition of video as a legitimate form of scholarly output, now indexed in major academic databases [4]. This institutional acceptance aligns with a broader shift in research practices, as scholars increasingly utilize social media as a professional platform to amplify the reach and impact of their work [5]. 2.2. Core Value Proposition of VAs By combining dynamic visuals and narration, VAs distill and visualize the core concepts, methods, and contributions of academic papers. A growing body of research indicates that video content can contribute to an increase in various research metrics, such as citations and views [6]. They fulfill key roles in several communication scenarios: For broader research audiences (e.g., policymakers, industry R&D personnel, advanced students): VAs expand the reach and social visibility of academic work. For domain experts: VAs provide a more intuitive and information-dense overview than textual abstracts, improving literature screening efficiency. For interdisciplinary scholars: VAs reduce comprehension barriers and foster cross-disciplinary innovation. Within this expanding ecosystem, a growing number of academic service providers—including established players such as Springer Nature’s Video Abstract services, Wiley’s Research Video initiatives, and Taylor & Francis’s multimedia publishing programs—have entered the field, recognizing the potential of video to enhance research communication. 3. VA Production and Dissemination Data from MDPI's Academic Video Service, 2025 This section presents data sourced from MDPI’s Academic Video Service’s internal database and public analytics from third-party services, including YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn, reflecting the performance of the service throughout 2025. Where relevant, results are benchmarked against 2024 to illustrate year-over-year growth and trends. 3.1. Production Scale and Scholarly Coverage The inaugural year of MDPI's Academic Video Service has established a robust foundation for video abstract production and distribution. The service has successfully engaged a broad academic community while developing specialized content across multiple disciplines. The following data outlines the scope and reach achieved during the reporting period. Some of the partner journal series. The service produced 118 professional VAs and maintained 13 active VA-related video series. Collaborative partnerships with 68 leading academic journals spanned 10 major disciplines, including Medicine & Pharmacology, Biology & Life Sciences, Engineering, Environmental & Earth Sciences, Computer Science & Mathematics, Chemistry & Materials Science, Public Health & Healthcare, Social Sciences, Business & Economics, and Arts & Humanities. A total of 1,149 researchers have used the service, including 60 scholars who participated in customized VA production, with all content distributed through social media channels (Figure 1). Figure 1. Researchers who used MDPI’s Academic Video Service. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. 3.2. Multi-Platform Dissemination and Performance VAs demonstrated strong performance across multiple distribution channels, showing substantial growth in reach and engagement metrics during the reporting period. In total, the produced VAs achieved 782,478 views across the Encyclopedia platform, Facebook, and YouTube, with 48,295,814 impressions recorded on the Encyclopedia platform and YouTube. A. VA Performance on Encyclopedia Platform As one of MDPI's key academic initiatives, Encyclopedia serves as MDPI’s primary platform for delivering integrated academic services. All the VAs produced through MDPI’s Academic Video Service were published through this platform. The year-over-year data reveals a story of validated success. The video content generated a monumental 47,834,514 total impressions, 41,240 total views, and 9,988 unique viewers. The number of unique viewers grew from 5,235 to 9,988, an unprecedented 90.8% year-over-year increase, demonstrating the efficient capture of audience interest at scale. B. VA Performance on YouTube The VAs produced were simultaneously released on MDPI’s YouTube channel. MDPI’s YouTube channel serves as a critical engine for global discoverability, showing strong year-over-year growth across all key metrics (Table 1). The following are the browsing-related data for VAs hosted on the YouTube channel. Table 1. Year-over-Year (YoY) Performance—video abstract channel metrics. All data was obtained from YouTube. Given that the VAs that are produced and published are generally around 4 minutes long, a watch time of 2:57 is equivalent to viewing nearly 73.75% of a VA. 3.3. Disciplinary Distribution of VA Engagement By analyzing and structuring VA browsing data across disciplines and research fields, we identified pronounced variations in the level of interest in VAs among scholars. These variations are evident in both scholars’ propensity to create VAs and their degree of engagement in consuming VA content. As shown in Figure 1, life sciences demonstrate the strongest participation, with Biology & Life Sciences recording the highest views (10,203) and attracting the largest viewer base (2,285). Medicine & Pharmacology and Engineering offer solid mid-tier performance with 9,948 and 5,149 views, respectively. Environmental & Earth Sciences (3,940 views) and Computer Science & Mathematics (3,337 views) show established audience interest, and Chemistry & Materials Science (3,125 views) also demonstrates consistent engagement (Figure 2). The findings indicate that scholars in biological, medical, and engineering fields are most active in watching video abstracts. Figure 2. Distribution of page views by academic discipline. Medicine, Biology, and Engineering ranked among the top three. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. The following chart (Figure 3, 4) reveals clear patterns in audience distribution across academic disciplines, providing insights into which fields show the strongest engagement (comments, likes, favorites) with video abstracts. Figure 3. Distribution of viewers by academic discipline. While the top three fields were unchanged, Biology drew a larger audience despite having fewer videos. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. Figure 4. Distribution of video engagement by academic discipline. Biology and Medicine showed noticeably higher engagement compared to other disciplines. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. Biology & Life Sciences leads in audience reach with 2,285 viewers, closely followed by Medicine & Pharmacology with 2,222 viewers. These two disciplines together account for the largest share of VA viewership, reflecting strong scholarly interest in life science content. Based on the survey conducted by the MDPI Video Service regarding user satisfaction (Figure 5), approximately 50% of VA users hold professorial positions, including full professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. PHD students and Post-Doctoral researchers comprise 8.3% and 16.7% of the user base, respectively. Researchers from non-academic institutions account for 8.4%, while independent researchers represent 4.2%. The remaining users include consultants, visiting scientists, and retired researchers. Figure 5. Word cloud of user attributes. All data was obtained from the video service survey. Overall, the VA audience is predominantly composed of research professionals. The higher level of engagement observed among professors suggests that their interest in VA is likely driven by teaching and presentation requirements, stronger funding capacity, and sustained academic output. Furthermore, while the non-academic segment represents slightly more than 8% of users, it demonstrates tangible potential and should not be viewed as a market without opportunity. 3.4. Other Video Product Performance Throughout the reporting period, the MDPI Academic Video Service created 13 Scholar Interview videos, presenting conversations with prominent academics on their research and perspectives. This format holds particular appeal for audiences seeking direct insights from researchers. As shown in Table 2, this series garnered 2,034 views. It gained prominent exposure via 424,059 main page impressions and secured extensive reach through 5,658,196 recommending impressions. Table 2. Performance of Scholar Interview series. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. This finding indicates a broad acceptance among scholars of interview-based video formats as an effective medium for content delivery. The strong performance of this series across discovery channels suggests that the content aligns well with diverse audience preferences. 3.5. Academic Community Engagement Through VA Activities The MDPI video service launched a ScholarVision Creations event on the Encyclopedia platform in 2024. The event was designed to introduce users to VAs and engage them in the VA production process. The event concluded with a vote to select the most popular VA created during the event period. The event drew considerable participation from scholars, generating notable momentum and driving interest in video abstracts (Table 3). Its strong reception reflects a clear interest among researchers in VAs as a format for academic communication. Table 3. Performance metrics of ScholarVision Creations Event and platform engagement. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. The event yielded 40 videos and involved 204 participants. Four researchers garnered awards for outstanding contributions, while participants completed 2,669 engagements during the event (engagements include creating entries, submitting images, editing entries, and similar actions). Page views increased by ~930% and Visitors by ~690%, indicating highly effective audience reach. The exceptionally high conversion rate of new users into credit recipients directly reflects a strong user interest in the campaign's core value and a clear intent to engage with VA creation. 4. Impact of Video Abstracts on Enhancing Research Visibility The effect of VAs on article performance represents the primary area of concern among scholars. Accordingly, this section consolidates data collected from VAs and articles, examining both the VAs' impact on their corresponding original articles and the dissemination performance of the articles across online channels. 4.1. VA-Driven Changes in Article Reach and Metrics Over the past year, tracking the performance of the VA Series and comparing its data with that of the previous reporting cycle has revealed a clear trend: the substantial growth in the platform-wide exposure of VAs has expanded into the millions. This marks a dramatic rise from the previous statistical period (2024), when total exposure across all VA series remained below 200,000 (181,553) impressions (Table 4). Table 4. The exposure of individual series has now reached the millions. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. *The JCM VA series was established in 2025 and therefore does not have corresponding data for the previous statistical period (2024). A comparative study was conducted using articles published in four target journals—Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM), Agronomy, Remote Sensing, and Nutrients—with Impact Factors of 2.9, 3.4, 4.1, and 5.0, respectively. The analysis covers all articles released between January 1, 2023, and October 31, 2025. Articles accompanied by video abstracts (with VAs produced by MDPI’s academic video service; 30 in total) were designated as the experimental group, while the remaining 24,906 articles without VAs published during the same period formed the control group. For both cohorts, cumulative performance metrics—including article views, downloads, and citations—were collected up to the common statistical cutoff date. A comparison of group-level averages across these key indicators (Figures 6, 7, 8) enables a systematic assessment of the long-term impact of VAs on content dissemination and academic influence. Figure 6. After implementing VAs, the average view count of all journals significantly exceeded that of those without VAs. All data was obtained from MDPI. Figure 7. Comparison of average article downloads with and without VA support across four journals, showing consistent increases in downloads for video-supported articles, with relative increases ranging from 3.94% to 47.19%. All data was obtained from MDPI. Figure 8. Comparison of average article impact metrics for articles published with and without MDPI’s Academic Video support across four journals, showing consistently higher values for video-supported articles. All data was obtained from MDPI. In terms of uplift magnitude, page views increased by as much as 112.25% for Remote Sensing, citation growth reached a peak of 201.2% for JCM, and download growth spanned the range between 3.94% and 47.19%. These results highlight clear differences in the strength of the VA service across the dimensions of content dissemination and scholarly impact. Remote Sensing is the journal benefiting most strongly from VA, recording a 112.25% surge in page views—the highest among all journals—alongside a 51% increase in citations and a 3.94% rise in downloads. This profile reflects an exposure-driven, burst-style growth pattern. For newly integrated JCM articles, VAs demonstrate exceptional effectiveness in driving both academic impact (citations) and downstream conversion (downloads). This finding aligns with the earlier analysis, which indicates stronger audience engagement with biology & medicine content. By contrast, Agronomy exhibits a well-balanced response to VAs, with no pronounced weaknesses and steady improvements across the entire dissemination-to-impact pipeline. Nutrients also records positive gains across all three indicators (citations +30.61%, downloads +12.35%, views +9.22%), though the overall increase remains comparatively limited and weaker than that observed for the other three journals. Taken together, the results show that VAs effectively enhanced both dissemination efficiency (views to downloads) and academic impact (citations) across all four journals. However, its effectiveness is clearly shaped by disciplinary characteristics: technology-focused journals (e.g., Remote Sensing) tend to achieve rapid gains in visibility through VAs, whereas medical journals (e.g., JCM) perform better at translating enhanced exposure into deeper academic influence. 4.2. Impact of Video Abstracts on Research Dissemination The deployment of a VA serves as an effective catalyst for the associated research article, as evidenced by the Encyclopedia video dashboard and data from social media platforms. A. Article Visibility Amplified by VA Distribution Each VA prominently features the article’s DOI within the video content itself. This design ensures a direct navigational pathway from VA exposure to the original publication, providing a clear analytical rationale for attributing changes in article access (views) behavior to VA visibility. The impact of a VA on article visibility is assessed by continuously monitoring and comparing article access data before and after the VA is made available online. Case 1: Optimizing Lettuce Growth in Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponics: Evaluating the Impact of Elevated Oxygen Concentrations in the Root Zone under LED Illumination Case 1 was initially published on August 24, 2024. During its first month, it received 816 page views, averaging 25.5 daily views, and reached a monthly peak of 1,163 in the third month. The average daily views over the first three months totaled 30.4, after which traffic gradually declined and stabilized. Prior to the release of the VA, the article’s monthly views averaged 677.7. The associated VA was launched on July 22, 2025. Following the launch, page views rose to 906 in the first month, representing a 33.7% increase over the pre-VA monthly average. Traffic continued to grow over the subsequent three months, reaching a peak of 1,763 in November 2025—an increase of 160% compared to the pre-VA baseline. As of the report date, December traffic stood at 1,309, still 93% higher than the pre-VA average. Over the five months following the VA release, the article averaged 1,383.6 monthly views (44.6 daily views), reflecting a 104% increase in growth relative to the monthly average before the VA launch. Figure 9. Viewership trend of Case 1 after its publication. All data was obtained from MDPI. Insights from the line chart and supporting data reveal that the VA maintained a persistent impact on readership well beyond its publication date, significantly improving the article’s visibility and engagement trajectory. Case 2: A Survey of Object Detection for UAVs Based on Deep Learning The article examined in this analysis was initially published on December 29, 2023, with its associated VA content released on February 24, 2024. During the first three months after publication, the article exhibited stable and consistent performance. Average daily traffic remained at 17.7 views, while monthly views increased gradually from 535 to 639 (Figure 10), implying a normal early-stage growth pattern without external intervention. The deployment of the VA marked a clear inflection point in the traffic trajectory. In the first full month following launch (March 2024), article views increased sharply by 62.4% to 1,038. Following a brief and modest correction in April 2024—likely attributable to natural fluctuation—traffic strongly rebounded, reaching a cycle peak of 1,415 views in May 2024. This period represents the concentrated achievement of the synergistic impact generated by a VA. Following this peak, beginning in June 2024, the article’s traffic entered a gradual and anticipated normalization phase, ultimately stabilizing at a sustained level that remained structurally higher than the initial baseline. Figure 10. Viewership trend of Case 2 before and after the launch of its VA. All data was obtained from MDPI. Overall, this pattern aligns with a classic content re-amplification lifecycle, wherein the introduction of a VA catalyzes short-term pulse growth, followed by convergence toward a new steady state. B. Expanding Reach to New Audiences via Social Platforms Case 3: Attitudes Toward Managing the Fish-Eating Great Cormorant The article analyzed here was published on April 23, 2025, with its associated VA content released on July 3, 2025, and concurrently distributed via the Facebook homepage. By the statistical cutoff date of January 27, 2026, the video had generated 409,966 cumulative views while reaching 9,224 unique users (Figure 11), yielding an exceptionally high views-to-reach ratio and indicating strong visibility amplification and repeated content consumption. Figure 11. Performance overview of Case 3 on Facebook. All data was obtained from Facebook. Total viewership for this VA amounted to 12 days and 5 hours (293 hours in total), distributed as shown in the chart above. In addition, the watch time distribution (Figure 12) reveals a critical insight: the audience composition suggests that the vast majority of views originated from non-followers, highlighting the VA’s effectiveness in reaching new viewers and expanding content discoverability. Figure 12. Watch time distribution. This significant difference is largely due to the extensive exposure and the number of followers. All data was obtained from Facebook Insights. The data reveal a pronounced drop-off in viewing depth; however, 78,947 instances of 3-second views suggest that the video initially captured attention. The Watch Time Trend (Figure 13) indicates effective initial audience engagement and successful early reach. Figure 13. The Watch Time Trend Chart illustrates a robust launch phase in late July, with watch time quickly reaching a significant initial level. All data was obtained from Facebook Insights. Throughout August and September, the watch time maintained consistently high performance, reflecting stable viewer interest and strong retention. The stability during this period suggests that the content had lasting value and continued to attract views well beyond its release date. A gradual decline is visible from October onwards—a common pattern for published content over time. Furthermore, the post for the VA achieved 819 impressions and an impressive 312 views on LinkedIn. In other words, the video achieved a view-through rate (VTR) of 39.2%, calculated by dividing views by impressions (321/819). This substantially exceeds typical industry benchmarks for academic and professional content, which generally range between 15 and 25. This high VTR indicates significant content relevance and a strong appeal to the target audience. Over the past year, the average VTR of all the VAs published on LinkedIn reached an impressive 62.4%, well above the general range mentioned earlier. 5. Conclusions and Outlook The evidence presented in this report leads to an unequivocal conclusion: in an increasingly crowded digital landscape, the VA has evolved from a novel supplement into a critical component of a modern research dissemination strategy. The data confirms that VAs deliver transformative value by directly addressing the core challenge of academic visibility. For Authors: VAs capture global attention and drive engagement, translating into increased article visibility and academic impact. For Journals: VAs significantly boost content consumption metrics and expand readership through algorithmic distribution, enhancing the journal's reach and influence. Looking forward, the integration of video into scholarly communication is not a passing trend but a fundamental shift. Many researchers feel that deepening understanding is a collaborative effort. Thus, extending an invitation for others to engage with their work is a natural and rewarding step. About MDPI’s Video Service The MDPI Video Service was launched in 2025 to meet the growing demand for dynamic research dissemination. The service offers comprehensive video solutions, including Video Abstracts, Short Takes, and Profile Videos. MDPI’s video service provides a one-stop service, including one-on-one video assistance, script writing, high-quality animation, a native speaker voice, quality assurance, and social media promotion. For video examples, see Heat-Sealing Process for Chañar Brea Gum Films and ESG Reporting for Large US Airports Reference [1] Spicer, S. Exploring Video Abstracts in Science Journals: An Overview and Case Study. J. Librariansh. Sch. Commun. 2014, 2，eP1110. [2] Video Streaming Market Trends, Shares, Competition and Growth Forecast 2025-2033 - Cloud Tech and Mobile Platforms Continue to Transform the Landscape, Fueling User Engagement and Market Expansion. Available Online: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/31/3178410/28124/en/Video-Streaming-Market-Trends-Shares-Competition-and-Growth-Forecast-2025-2033-Cloud-Tech-and-Mobile-Platforms-Continue-to-Transform-the-Landscape-Fueling-User-Engagement-and-Marke.html (accessed on 11 November 2025) [3] Al-Aufi, A; Fulton, C. Impact of social networking tools on scholarly communication: a cross-institutional study. Electron. Libr. 2015, 33, 224–241. [4] Laaser, W.; Toloza, E.A. The changing role of the educational video in higher distance education. Int. Rev. Res. Open Dis. 2017, 18, 2.  [5] Gazi, M. A. I.; Rahaman, M. A.; Rabbi, M. F.; Masum, M.; Nabi, M. N.; Senathirajah, A. R. bin S. The Role of Social Media in Enhancing Communication among Individuals: Prospects and Problems. Environ. Soc. Psychol. 2024, 9, 11. [6] Bonnevie, T.; Repel, A.; Gravier, F.E.; Ladner, J.; Sibert, L.; Muir, J.F.; Cuvelier, A.; Fischer, M.O. Video abstracts are associated with an increase in research reports citations, views and social attention: a cross-sectional study. Scientometrics 2023, 128, 3001–3015.
Announcement 03 Feb 2026
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Can Tree Sap Replace Plastic? The Story of Chañar Brea Gum Films
Modern society relies heavily on plastic packaging. It protects food, extends shelf life, reduces transportation losses, and supports global supply chains. Yet the very properties that make plastics useful—durability, resistance to moisture, and low cost—also make them persistent pollutants in ecosystems. Microplastics are now found in soil, oceans, and even human bodies. As a result, scientists and engineers are actively searching for alternatives that are not only functional but also biodegradable, renewable, and environmentally compatible. A recent study published in MDPI Processes entitled "Heat-Sealing Process for Chañar Brea Gum Films" explores exactly this connection between material properties, processing methods, and sustainability by investigating chañar brea gum as a potential biodegradable and heat-sealable packaging material. The research does not simply ask whether this natural gum can form films, but how its molecular structure, thermal behavior, mechanical performance, and barrier properties interact—and how these relationships ultimately shape its practical usability in packaging applications. 1. What is Chañar Brea Gum? Chañar brea gum is a natural exudate obtained from the Chañar brea tree (Parkinsonia praecox, also known as Cercidium praecox or “palo verde”). This tree thrives in the Chaco forest of Argentina, a semi-arid region where vegetation has adapted to withstand high temperatures and limited water availability. The gum is collected either from intentional superficial cuts or from naturally occurring wounds on the trunk and branches. Production is typically highest during spring and summer, when sap flow is most active. After harvesting, the raw gum undergoes purification: it is dissolved in water, filtered to remove impurities, and then dried and milled into a fine powder suitable for material processing. This purification step is essential, as natural gums often contain bark particles, dust, or microbial residues that could otherwise compromise film quality and consistency. 2. From Gum to Packaging Film To transform chañar brea gum into a functional packaging material, the purified powder was dissolved in distilled water to form a viscous solution. A plasticizer—commonly glycerol—was then added to improve flexibility and reduce brittleness; without this step, the resulting film tends to be rigid and prone to cracking. In the study, this solution was cast into a thin layer and dried under controlled conditions to form a film. In their experimental design, the researchers treated variables such as gum concentration, plasticizer content, and relative humidity during drying as critical parameters, since these factors influence film thickness, mechanical performance, and barrier properties. Close control of these processing conditions is therefore important for tailoring the properties of the final material. 3. Heat Sealing: Making Functional Packages Beyond simply forming films, the researchers examined whether chañar brea gum could be applied in practical packaging applications. By applying heat and pressure, they successfully bonded layers of 10% chañar brea gum film to form a rectangular container (18 × 12 cm). Because chañar brea gum behaves as a hydrocolloid, precise control of temperature and sealing time was required during heat sealing. Excessive heat could degrade the material, whereas insufficient heat would result in incomplete or weak bonding. To investigate sealing behavior in more detail, additional experiments were conducted on smaller strips (2 × 10 cm) oriented horizontally and vertically, and a joint determination method was applied to analyze bonding performance. 4. A Comprehensive Materials Study Rather than focusing on a single property, the study took a holistic approach to characterizing chañar brea gum films. The researchers employed a suite of analytical techniques, including: Proximate analysis to determine composition. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to examine molecular structure. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to analyze thermal transitions. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA–DTG) to assess thermal stability. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to investigate molecular arrangement. In addition, mechanical testing was used to evaluate strength and flexibility, while measurements of antioxidant capacity, water vapor permeability, water sorption, and biodegradability were conducted to assess functional performance. By integrating these results, the study sought to clarify how molecular structure, composition, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties interact—and how these factors ultimately govern heat sealability. 5. What the Results Revealed The findings demonstrate several notable characteristics of chañar brea gum films: Thermal stability: Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the material remained stable up to approximately 200 °C, with an onset of melting behavior near 152.48 °C, suggesting compatibility with typical food packaging processing conditions. Structural consistency: X-ray diffraction indicated similar interstrand spacing in the polymer network for untreated CBG (4.88 nm) and heat-treated CBG-H (4.66 nm), reflecting overall structural consistency. Microstructure: Scanning electron microscopy of heat-sealed joints revealed rounded surface features, and cross-sectional imaging showed a homogeneous internal structure with minimal gaps—both indicative of strong bonding. Barrier performance: Water vapor permeability decreased markedly from roughly 1.7 g·mm/m²·day·kPa for untreated films to 0.37 g·mm/m²·day·kPa after heat treatment, demonstrating improved moisture barrier performance. Mechanical properties: Mechanical testing showed that Young’s modulus decreased from about 132 MPa to 96.5 MPa after heat treatment, indicating a modest increase in flexibility—an advantageous change for packaging applications. Heat sealability: The ability to form reliable seals was quantified at approximately 656 N/m, a competitive value for biodegradable films. Biodegradability: Most notably, biodegradability testing indicated that the material degraded fully in about four days under the study conditions, underscoring its environmental compatibility. Overall, heat treatment tended to enhance barrier properties while slightly reducing stiffness, highlighting a favorable trade-off for practical packaging use. 6. Why This Matters for Sustainable Packaging Conventional plastics can persist in the environment for decades or even centuries. In contrast, the biodegradable nature of chañar brea gum films means they break down rapidly under natural conditions, significantly reducing long-term ecological impact. Because the material is plant-derived, biodegradable, and potentially edible, it could be particularly valuable for food packaging applications, reducing reliance on synthetic coatings or chemical additives. Its ability to be heat-sealed also suggests compatibility with existing industrial packaging processes, which could make large-scale adoption more feasible. 7. Challenges, Future Directions, and Overall Significance Despite its promise, several challenges remain before chañar brea gum films can be widely commercialized. Scaling up sustainable gum production, ensuring consistent film quality across batches, evaluating long-term storage stability, and assessing cost competitiveness compared with conventional plastics are all important issues that require further investigation. Nevertheless, the current study provides a robust scientific foundation for future development and optimization by clarifying how processing conditions, material structure, and performance are interrelated in this novel biopolymer-based film. Overall, this research demonstrates that chañar brea gum is more than a natural tree exudate: it is a functional material with real potential for sustainable packaging. By systematically examining its thermal, mechanical, barrier, and heat-sealing properties, the study offers valuable insights for the design of next-generation biodegradable packaging systems. As industries continue to seek alternatives to conventional plastics, materials such as chañar brea gum represent an important step toward a more sustainable and circular packaging future. For more information about topic, you can view the online video entitled "Heat-Sealing Process for Chañar Brea Gum Films".
Blog 19 Jan 2026
encyclopedia>
How Do You Promote Your Research After Publication?
For many researchers, the acceptance and publication of a paper feels like the culmination of their work. However, this often leads to a critical oversight: failing to ensure the research reaches and resonates with its intended audience. The post-publication phase plays a critical role in increasing the visibility of research, improving accessibility for diverse audiences, facilitating understanding across disciplines, and extending influence beyond traditional citations to societal and interdisciplinary domains. Post-publication promotion is not simply an optional addition to the researcher's toolkit; it is a fundamental component of their scholarly responsibility and a critical driver of their work’s ultimate significance and reach 1. Here are practical tips and ideas for effectively promoting your article: 1. Multimedia and Visual Communication Multimedia formats lower cognitive barriers and make research more engaging, memorable, and widely shareable across both academic and public channels. Create a Video Abstract A video abstract is a short, two-to-five-minute visual summary of your paper that introduces the background, methods, key findings, and implications using narration, imagery, and simple text 2. User-behavior research on YouTube indicates that although Entertainment and Music dominate overall searches, Science and Technology content remains among the top trending categories 3, suggesting strong public interest in science delivered through video. Evidence also shows that papers accompanied by video abstracts tend to perform better: citation rates may increase by around 15%, article views by about 35%, and Altmetric Attention Scores by roughly 25% 4. These improvements reflect how much easier it is for broader audiences to discover, understand, and share research when a video version is available. What's more, animated video abstracts can extend this impact even further, helping authors increase visibility and reach wider communities on social media 5. Source: Encyclopedia Academic Video Service (https://encyclopedia.pub/video/1623) Develop Infographics Infographics provide clear, visual summaries of complex findings, enabling quick comprehension and making them ideal for academic communication, public outreach, presentations, and social media. Research shows that infographic articles generate significantly greater social media attention and achieve higher Altmetric scores than standard original research articles, underscoring their value in enhancing research visibility 6. Encyclopedia has launched the Scientific Infographic Service to support researchers in presenting complex scientific findings through clear and professionally prepared visual summaries. The service is now open for applications and is provided free of charge. Source: Encyclopedia Scientific Inforgraphic (https://encyclopedia.pub/image/3584​) 2. Scholarly Platform Dissemination Leveraging academic platforms strengthens the discoverability, traceability, and early visibility of your research within global scholarly ecosystems. Maintaining an active, well-curated presence across these channels ensures that your work is easy to find, share, and cite. Maintain academic profiles on platforms such as SciProfiles, ResearchGate, Academia, Google Scholar, Kudos, The Conversation, and Researchmap. These profiles allow you to upload your article or accepted manuscript and provide concise, accessible summaries that broaden academic reach and engagement. Register for an ORCID iD and link your publications to ensure accurate author identification and consistent visibility across publishers, indexing services, and research databases. Release a preprint on platforms such as Preprints to accelerate dissemination and invite early community engagement. Releasing a preprint is associated with a significant positive citation advantage of approximately 20.2% 7. Create a scientific entry on the Encyclopedia platform to present your findings in an authoritative, structured format that enhances clarity, accessibility, and long-term discoverability. 3. Social and Public Engagement Public and social networks extend your research reach beyond traditional academic communities, enabling broader conversations and greater societal impact. Share your work on social platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat, and Weibo. These channels help spark discussion, increase awareness, and attract attention from journalists, policymakers, practitioners, and interdisciplinary audiences. Make access easy by providing shareable links. Send your article directly to colleagues, add the link to your email signature, and update personal, laboratory, or institutional webpages with the article title and permanent link. Write blog posts that highlight your key findings, explain their significance, and discuss broader implications. Blogs make your research accessible to non-experts and support broader engagement. Including a link to your published article further enhances visibility and citation potential. You can also publish blog posts on the Encyclopedia platform to reach an even wider readership. 4. Conferences and Scholarly Exchange Active participation in academic conferences broadens your research visibility and helps you establish meaningful professional connections. Presenting your work—whether at in-person meetings or online sessions—allows you to share findings with informed audiences, receive constructive feedback, and spark new collaborations. Joining international events, including those hosted on platforms such as Sciforum, further expands your reach across regions and disciplines. These interactions often lead to new partnerships, fresh research ideas, and additional academic opportunities. References 1. Ratten, V.; Lux, A.; Merkle, T. Tips from management editors: Managing your academic reputation, post-publication promotion and building your network. J. Manag. Organ. 2025, 31, 1-6. 2. Spicer, S. Exploring Video Abstracts in Science Journals: An Overview and Case Study. J. Librariansh. Sch. Commun. 2014, 2, eP1110. 3. Dubovi, I.; Tabak, I. Interactions between emotional and cognitive engagement with science on YouTube. Public Underst Sci. 2021, 30, 759-776. 4. Bonnevie, T.; Repel, A.; Gravier, F.E.; et al. Video abstracts are associated with an increase in research reports citations, views and social attention: a cross-sectional study. Scientometrics 2023, 128, 3001–3015. 5. Erskine, N.; Hendricks, S. What is the effect of posting video abstracts on journal article impact? J. Vis. Commun. Med. 2024, 47, 47–55. 6. Kunze, K.N.; Vadhera, A.; Purbey, R.; Singh, H.; Kazarian, G.S.; Chahla, J. Infographics Are More Effective at Increasing Social Media Attention in Comparison With Original Research Articles: An Altmetrics-Based Analysis. Arthroscopy 2021, 37, 2591-2597. 7. Colavizza, G.; Cadwallader, L.; LaFlamme, M,; Dozot, G.; Lecorney, S.; Rappo, D. Hrynaszkiewicz I. An analysis of the effects of sharing research data, code, and preprints on citations. PLoS One. 2024, 19, e0311493.
Blog 12 Jan 2026
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Encyclopedia Journal Accepted for Coverage in Scopus
We are pleased to announce that in August 2025, Encyclopedia (ISSN 2673-8392) has been selected for coverage in the Scopus indexing database. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all the authors, reviewers, and editors who have contributed to this journal and made this achievement possible. Encyclopedia is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that mainly publishes high-quality entries, field guides, reviews, and systematic reviews in all scientific areas. Original research articles in the area of Encyclopedia Studies are also welcome. Our goal is to form a comprehensive record of scientific development and provide reference information not only for researchers but also for the general public interested in accurate and advanced knowledge on specific topics. To make the most of this opportunity, we would like to invite you to submit your research to the journal. We warmly welcome you to consider Encyclopedia as a platform for publishing your work. If you have a paper concerning any topic within the scope of the journal, please submit it via the journal’s website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/encyclopedia.
Announcement 28 Aug 2025
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Peer Reviewed
Creative Digital Platform Work and New Labour Protection in China
Encyclopedia 2026, 6(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia6020035

The digital labour economy is a system where work is mediated through digital technologies and online platforms. Work is often also called platform labour or gig work. China has brought out new labour protections to promote and support these new forms of employment (NFE) to address gaps in existing labour rights, personal data protection, and AI governance. However, a new type of work in the digital labour economy is creative digital platform work, which is distinct from other kinds of digital work and gig work that only uses AI and digital platforms to receive work, gigs, and tasks. Visual artists’ work is mediated by multiple digital software, AI programs, platforms, and apps. However, they do not have the usual ‘labour relationship’ like gig workers or platform labourers, as they are not employed by any single platform.

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Peer Reviewed
Extremes of the Edgeworth Box
Encyclopedia 2026, 6(2), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia6020029

Extremes of the Edgeworth box concern corner allocations and their relationship to the contract curve in a two-good, two-agent exchange economy. In the standard pure-exchange setting with well-behaved preferences, the contract curve comprises all Pareto-efficient allocations, including interior tangencies and boundary corners, where no mutually beneficial trade remains. When money is introduced as a numéraire (a medium of exchange only), real feasibility and preferences are unchanged, so the contract curve remains the benchmark for efficiency. When money provides liquidity services (is valued for holding), agents may rationally abstain from trade even near interior tangencies; short-run outcomes can therefore include inaction at corners. This entry defines these objects, outlines the efficiency conditions at boundaries, and summarizes how monetary interpretations affect short-run behavior in general equilibrium and monetary economics. The Edgeworth geometry remains a real-exchange depiction; when we discuss money as a store of value, we use it as a short-run, reduced-form outside option that proxies intertemporal motives. This does not “fix” the box; it clarifies why no-trade at or near corners can be individually rational when liquidity is valued.

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See what people are saying about us
Shlomi Agmon
Encyclopedia Video provides potential readers with a tool to quickly understand what the work is about. That is important for casualreaders, whose time is thus spared, and for investedreaders, for whom it makes the decision to say "yes, I want to read the paper" much simpler.
School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
Ignacio Cea
For the video abstracts, the papers and authors could gain more visibility and increase citations. Also, it means a more diverse and interesting way of communicating research, which is something valuable in itself.
Center for Research, Innovation and Creation, and Faculty of Religious Sciences and Philosophy, Temuco Catholic University
Melvin R. Pete Hayden
Thank the video production crew for making such a wonderful video. The narrations have been significantly added to the video! Congratulations on such an outstanding job of Encyclopedia Video team.
University of Missouri School of Medicine, United States
Academic Video Service
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