World Online Ranking of Best Materials Scientists – 2023 Report

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd
Chief Data Scientist & Head of Content

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On April 23, Research.com published the 2nd edition of the annual report for the best scientists in the area of materials science. The list of leading scientists serves to increase the online visibility of academics and researchers making significant contributions to materials science.

Additionally, we hope the rankings can make it easier for other researchers, decision-makers, and organizations to discover the scientists researching specific topics in this discipline. Everyone can see the foremost experts in materials science across different nations, as well as in various academic institutions and research centers.

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For the 2023 report, our research team went through more than 10,500 scientist profiles obtained from various bibliometric data sources. To be considered for the ranking, we used a variety of metrics and criteria. For example, The D-index threshold for approving a scholar was set to 40 if most of their publications were in the field of materials science. A scientist’s proportion of contributions made within the discipline, plus their awards and achievements, was also considered.

Latest discoveries in materials science research

Advances in materials science have significantly impacted human society by continually pushing technology forward. Together with other fields of study, such as engineering, the humanities, and social sciences, materials scientists work towards a more sustainable future.

For example, the improved production of materials has led to the development of new technologies that have changed how we live, work, and communicate. The development of high-performance materials, the discovery of graphene, and the creation of new materials for energy storage are just a few examples. Polymers such as plastics, thermoplastics, and polycarbons are also used in a wide range of applications, from the aerospace and automotive industries to construction and manufacturing.

Moreover, the discoveries of scientists have significantly impacted transportation technology by enabling the development of new materials that are lighter, stronger, and more efficient. These include lightweight alloys, composites, and ceramics that have led to the creation of more fuel-efficient vehicles. The School of Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Tech, for instance, established a research program focused on transportation materials to further improve transportation efficiency and safety through the development of innovative materials and technologies.

The Key findings for the 2nd edition of the best materials science scientists ranking

• Scientists affiliated with institutions in the United States dominate the list, with 369 scientists representing 36.9% of all leading materials scientists.
• The other leading countries in this year’s top 5 are China ( 235), Germany (67), the United Kingdom (48), and Japan (43).
• Six out of 10 scientists in the top 1% are from the United States, with the other countries represented being China, Singapore, Germany, and Switzerland.
• Zhong Lin Wang from Georgia Institute of Technology, U.S.,  retains his top position in this report. Professor Wang has a D-index of 283.
• In the 2023 edition of our report, the Chinese Academy of Sciences is once again the leading institution. It has 45 scientists included in the ranking.
• The average D-index for the top 1% of scientists is 231 against an average of 103 for all scientists included in the ranking.

The full ranking for the 2023 list of the best materials science scientists can be found here:

BEST MATERIALS SCIENCE SCIENTISTS RANKING

Countries with the highest number of leading materials science scientists

The United States has the most number of leading materials scientists in 2023. It has a total of 369, or eight more from last year, which is a significant lead compared to other countries in the top 10 this year.

China comes in at number two with 235 scientists, a drop from 241 scientists last year, while Germany has 67 scientists, enough for it to have kept the third spot for two years now.

The fourth and fifth positions are similar to last year, with the United Kingdom and Japan occupying these spots with 43 and 40 scientists, respectively.

The other leading countries in the top 10 are Australia (40), Singapore (39), South Korea (26), Canada (17), and Switzerland (16).

Please note that the country associated with a scientist is based on their affiliated research institution, according to MAG, not on their actual nationality.

Institutions with the highest number of leading scientists

The institution with the most number of materials scientists in 2023 is the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It has 45 scientists, which is enough to maintain its top ranking from the previous year but is seven scientists lower than the number last year.

Meanwhile, another Chinese institution, Tsinghua University, has maintained its second position in 2022. Based in Beijing, the research university has 25 scientists affiliated with the institution this year.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ranks third in 2023 with 21 scientists, as it did last year but with one less scientist. It is followed by another American university, Northwestern University, with 18 scientists. It is tied with the National University of Singapore, also with 18 scientists.

The fifth spot goes to another university in Singapore, Nanyang Technological University. This year, the second-oldest autonomous university in the country has 17 materials scientists affiliated with its institution.

Other leading universities in the list are the University of California, Santa Barbara (16 scientists), which dropped from the fifth spot in 2022, the Georgia Institute of Technology (15), the University of Science and Technology of China (15), and the University of California, Berkeley (14).

Strengthening research in online universities

With the best online colleges and universities offering online programs in materials science, students and researchers also have more support when it comes to research activities. Online collaboration is faster and not limited by one’s location. Advanced technology like AR and VR in virtual platforms may provide opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate on materials science research projects. This can enable researchers to work together from different locations, sharing their knowledge and expertise, and developing innovative solutions to complex research problems.

Moreover, through their investments in IT infrastructure and software, online universities provide access to online libraries, databases, and other resources that contain relevant materials science research articles, journals, and data. This could be especially valuable to students and professors that may have limited physical access to research materials in their universities or libraries.

Online universities can also offer virtual research support services, such as online writing centers, tutoring, and academic advising. These services can help students and faculty to improve their research skills, refine their research questions, and develop their research proposals.

D-index ranking–leaders, averages, and distribution

In North America, Professor Zhong Lin Wang, from Georgia Institute of Technology, United States is the leading scientist. He is also the top globally, with a D-index of 283.

In Europe, Professor Michael Grätzel affiliated with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland is ranked first in the region and second globally, with a D-index of 279.

In Asia, Professor Jiaguo Yu from the Wuhan University of Technology, China leads other scientists in the region. Professor Yu’s D-index is 203, and he ranks 9th in our report.

Shi-Zhang Qiao from the University of Adelaide, Australia is the top scientist in Oceania. He ranks 46th in our report and has a D-index of 164.

José Arana Varela from the Sao Paulo State University, Brazil is the highest-ranking scientist from South America with a D-index of 94.

The average D-index for the top 1% of scientists is 239 against an average of 111 for all scientists included in the ranking.

The scholar with the lowest index value who made it to the ranking in 2023 has a D-index of 87.

The average number of published articles for the top 1% of scientists in the ranking is 1236.3 against an average of 623.82 for all ranking scholars.

The average number of citations for the top 1% of scientists is 238,344.7 against an average of 54, 466.56 for all ranking scholars.

You can learn more about the methodology used to create this report here.

About Research.com

All research was coordinated by Imed Bouchrika, PhD, a computer scientist with a well-established record of collaboration on a number of international research projects with different partners from the academic community. His role is to make sure all data remains unbiased, accurate, and up-to-date.

Research.com is the number one research portal for science rankings. Our mission is to make it easier for professors, research fellows, and those studying for a PhD or a master’s degree to progress with their research and to ensure they are always up-to-date with the latest conferences around the world and publications related to their work. Research.com is also involved in the publication of an annual ranking of leading scientists in a wide range of scientific disciplines.