The two works, "On the Study of Ca and Mg Deintercalation from Ternary Tantalum Nitrides" and "Role of Polymorphism and Thin-Film Morphology in Organic Semiconductors Processed by Solution Shearing" have been highligted along with other stars of chemistry (and its interfacing areas) in the Virtual Issue "Women at the Forefront of Chemistry" with the aim of challenging stereotypes, advancing progress towards full gender equality in the future, and encouraging more women to pursue a career in STEM.

The year 2020 is special since it marks the 25th anniversary of The Beijing Platform for Action, the most advanced blueprint for achieving gender equality in the world. It also marks ten years since the establishment of UN Women, and the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security.

Please read Luisa Torsi’s Editorial published along with the Virtual Issue: “Let Us Together Shine a Light on Women in STEM.”

"We hope to inspire other women, and men as well, to think of Chemistry and STEM subjects as fields where everyone can contribute fruitfully and encourage those in decision-making positions to implement concrete actions aimed at speeding up the closing of the gender gap in research and innovation." says Luisa Torsi, guest editor of this Virtual Issue

"We hope that other women, especially those seeking a career in science or those considering studying a science degree, will draw inspiration from and aspire to these women success." says the ACS Omega Managing Editor, Dinesh C. Soares. 

About "On the Study of Ca and Mg Deintercalation from Ternary Tantalum Nitrides"

The featured article presents the feasibility of Ca and Mg ion extraction from ternary tantalum nitrides (CaTaN₂, MgTa₂N₃, and Mg_xTa₂N₄) both chemically and electrochemically. The feasibility of Ca deintercalation form CaTaN₂ is also investigated using first principles calculations within the density functional theory (DFT) approximation. The work represents an additional step in multivalent cathode exploration. Ternary nitrides might constitute an interesting alternative to oxides for high energy densities batteries. 

On the Study of Ca and Mg Deintercalation from Ternary Tantalum Nitrides. Roberta Verrelli, Ashley Philip Black, Carlos Frontera,Judith Oró-Solé, Maria Elena Arroyo-de Dompablo,Amparo Fuertes* and M. Rosa Palacín*. ACS Omega 2019, 4, 5, 8943-8952. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00770

About "Role of Polymorphism and Thin-Film Morphology in Organic Semiconductors Processed by Solution Shearing"

In this perspective article, we focus on controlling polymorphism and morphology in small-molecule organic semiconducting thin films deposited by solution-shearing techniques compatible with roll-to-roll systems. Special attention is paid to the influence that the different experimental deposition parameters can have on thin films. Further, the main characterization techniques for thin-film structures are reviewed, highlighting the in situ characterization tools that can provide crucial insights into the crystallization mechanisms.

Role of Polymorphism and Thin-Film Morphology in Organic Semiconductors Processed by Solution Shearing. Sergi Riera-Galindo, Adrián Tamayo and Marta Mas-Torrent*. ACS Omega 2018, 3, 2, 2329-2339. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00043

More information:

• Tweet from the ACS Omega official Twitter account highlighting the Virtual Issue: https://twitter.com/ACS_Omega/status/1243260029530181632
• Tweets from the ICMAB official Twitter account: https://twitter.com/icmabCSIC/status/1243456359661744129
• Virtual Issue "Women at the Forefront of Chemistry": https://pubs.acs.org/page/acsodf/vi/women-in-stem2020 
• Article Featured "On the Study of Ca and Mg Deintercalation from Ternary Tantalum Nitrides": https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.9b00770
• Article Featured "Role of Polymorphism and Thin-Film Morphology in Organic Semiconductors Processed by Solution Shearing": https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.8b00043 
• Editorial "Let Us Together Shine a Light on Women in STEM": https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.0c01236