Although we aimed at improving the citations, we did not expect such a drastic improvement in a short period. Thus, it is a pleasant surprise to us and a reward for our work on the journal.

We always try to publish special issues on a currently attractive subject to readers. Or more importantly, we aim to organize issues slightly ahead of time. So, by the time the issues are published and readers recognize the publication, the time is just right for being cited.

Yes. We used to publish regular issues for unsolicited papers and conference issues. However, in the past few years, we have actively been seeking special issues targeting certain subject matters or issues honoring a certain person whose specialty is well known to people.

We also recruited excellent Guest Editors who are active in the area. This approach allowed us to identify high-quality researchers through those contacts—researchers who are willing to contribute to the journal. Personal relationships of the Guest Editors with those authors are particularly helpful.

Historically, there were no forums for researchers in this research area to exchange ideas and results. As a start, an international conference on composite interfaces was established in the early 1980s. This development activated researchers in their desire to communicate with other researchers in a formal journal. Composite Interfaces was established as a result of this interest. Therefore, the journal has always been supported by the people who are dedicated to this specialty field.

In addition to the continued interest by the researchers in the field in early days of the journal, the surge in interest in nanotechnology has further increased the population of researchers in the field, since the interfacial aspects are dominant in nanocomposites. Many emerging areas relate to interfacial aspects of materials. Thus, the increased population of researchers and heightened interests have both positively impacted the journal.

Composite Interfaces serves those who are interested in heterogeneous materials such as composites, coatings, and blends. There are nearly 20 composite-related journals that are surveyed by the Science Citation Index. However, many of them emphasize either the mechanical properties or technological aspects of composites. Composite Interfaces, on the other hand, focuses on the fundamental understanding of the interfacial aspects of heterogeneous materials, in particular composites. Thus, the theory of interfaces, the atomic, molecular, and chemical aspects of interfaces, and the microstructure of interfaces are of particular interest. These features make Composite Interfaces unique among many composite-related journals.

We will continue to see nanomaterials coming into the composite field and the traditionally clear separation of interface (or interphase) and bulk will be blurred in these new materials. Functional nanomaterials will be even more popular in the near future. There will be more active reporting on green composites, both in historical macro(or micro) composites and nanocomposites.

We are publishing special issues in the areas that are active today. In this capacity, Composite Interfaces is the forum of current research activity. However, Composite Interfaces can take a unique role by organizing special issues that will stimulate the imagination of the researchers in the field that will soon become important. We see the latter role to be particularly challenging and important as a journal that emphasizes the fundamental understanding of the interfacial aspects of composites.