Mark Rutland new co-editor of influential journal

“I’m proud to have been offered the role – it’s a journal which has systematically focused on quality over the years and retained its disciplinary integrity. However, I have a certain amount of trepidation in view of the responsibility,”says Mark Rutland, professor of surface and corrosion science.

How would you describe the journal and its level of impact, what does it mean?

“As the name suggests it has the interface as its focus, but it bridges everything from soft matter and biological systems such as lipid membranes, through colloidal materials such as nanoparticles, foams and water purification, to inorganic materials where the surface is important. Energy storage systems and nanomedicine are two very different fields united by the importance of the surface and colloidal stability.”

What were your reasons for being elected?

“As a surface chemist with a long disciplinary experience I also embraced early on the study of friction at the molecular and nanoscopic level. Thus, I have a good grasp and many contacts in the field of tribology, the study of friction lubrication and wear. Increasingly surface analytical techniques employed by surface and colloid science are also being deployed in this field. Lubrication in biological systems such as saliva, and synovial fluids of joints, tactile perception and lubrication of new generation EVs has its new foundations in surface and colloid science. As these fields increasingly merge, a core competence in these two areas was considered necessary.”

What does your new role involve and what do you want to achieve?

“The role is to identify important breakthroughs in the field, and distinguish them from more incremental studies. My primary goal is to ensure that high quality and innovative research in my discipline gets the attention and exposure it deserves, irrespective of its origin.”

Text: Sabina Fabrizi