Manuscripts are invited on Rheology-related advances inspired, directly or indirectly, by the work of the late Arthur B. Metzner in experiments, theories, modeling and computation involving rheology and the behavior of complex fluids under flow.

Topics include:

• Polymer melts and solutions
• Liquid crystals
• Particulate and fiber suspensions
• Polymer processing
• Extensional flow
• Composite materials
• Flow through porous media

Guest editors: Antony N. Beris, Rakesh K. Gupta, Norman J. Wagner

Contribute to this Commemorative Issue

During submission, you will be asked if your submission is related to a special issue. Select “Yes” then select “Arthur B. Metzner Centennial Commemorative Issue” from the subsequent dropdown menu.

Deadline for article submissions: October 31, 2026

This issue aims to bring the rheology and biology communities into closer contact, highlighting how theoretical, computational, experimental, and data-driven approaches advance our understanding of living systems as active, adaptive, and out-of-equilibrium materials.

Scope & Key Topics

• Experimental, theoretical, computational, and AI/data-driven approaches to biological systems
• Mechanics of intracellular dynamics, cell biology, and tissue remodeling
• Deformation, transport, and force transmission across scales
• Collective mechanics in biofilms, microbial communities, and synthetic biology
• Non-equilibrium, history-dependent, and active material responses

Important Information

• Submission Deadline: June 1, 2027
• Special Event: Issue contents will be discussed at the 2027 International Soft Matter Conference in San Diego, CA (August 8–13, 2027).
• Guest Editors: Mazi Jalaal, Rae Robertson-Anderson, and Roseanna Zia
  

Contribute to this Issue

During submission, you will be asked if your submission is related to a special issue. Select “Yes” then select “The Rheology of Living Matter” from the subsequent dropdown menu.

Rationale : The proposed special issue aims to foster the connection between the academic and the industrial rheology communities. Industrial scientists and engineers have historically played a key-role in advancing rheological science by developing new measurement techniques, constitutive models, and application-driven understanding across different fields including polymers, food, pharmaceuticals, coatings, consumer products, energy, additive manufacturing, and advanced materials.

In recent years, however, industrial participation within the rheology community has declined, despite the continued importance of rheology in research and product development. This special issue wants to help reverse that trend by highlighting outstanding industrially motivated research and by showcasing the scientific challenges that arise from real-world applications. By bringing together contributions from academia, industry, and national laboratories, the issue will confirm that industrial rheology continues to drive fundamental scientific advances while addressing practical industrial needs.

The special issue is envisioned as a vehicle for increasing engagement of industrial members within the rheology community, encouraging new collaborations, and reinforcing the Journal of Rheology as the premier venue for publishing impactful research that bridges fundamental rheology and industrial innovation.

Abstract: Throughout its history, industrial challenges have inspired many of the theoretical, experimental, and computational advances that now define modern rheology. This special issue on Industrial and Applied Rheology seeks to celebrate and reinforce this connection by highlighting the role of rheology in solving real-world problems across a broad range of industries. Contributions will span fundamental studies inspired by industrial challenges, innovative characterization techniques, constitutive modeling, data-driven approaches, and application-focused research involving polymers, suspensions, emulsions, foams, biological materials, consumer products, food, pharmaceuticals, energy materials, sustainability and emerging manufacturing technologies. By reconnecting the discipline with its industrial roots while maintaining the highest scientific standards, this special issue will demonstrate how industrially inspired research continues to generate fundamental discoveries, foster collaboration between academia and industry, and shape the future directions of rheological science.

Guest Editors: Saad Khan (NC State University), Srinivasa Raghavan (U. Maryland), Antonio Perazzo (SilvaVera)

Deadline: June 30, 2027