Author Archive

Call for Papers: “Nonadiabatic events and conical intersections: in memory of David R. Yarkony”

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP) is delighted to announce a call for papers for its latest themed collection on Nonadiabatic events and conical intersections: in memory of David R. Yarkony, Guest Edited by Paul Dagdigian (Johns Hopkins University), Hua Guo (University of New Mexico), Spiridoula Matsika (Temple University), Henry F. Schaefer (University of Georgia) and Michael Schuurman (National Research Council Canada).

About this Themed Collection: 

Nonadiabatic processes, defined by the breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and the strong coupling of nuclear and electronic motion, are ubiquitous in physics and chemistry. They govern ultrafast dynamics in molecules and materials, photochemistry, molecular spectroscopy, electron transfer, and a range of other phenomena in gas and condensed phases. Central to the description of nonadiabatic processes are conical intersections: molecular geometries where two (or more) electronic potential energy surfaces become degenerate. The significance of nonadiabatic processes and conical intersections in various phenomena in physical chemistry has become increasingly apparent in recent decades.

In this themed collection we honor the memory of David R. Yarkony, one of the leaders in this field. David R. Yarkony was instrumental in the initial development of methods to locate conical intersections in polyatomic molecules, highlight their prevalence in electronic excited states, and calculate nonadiabatic couplings using developments in ab initio theory. Taken as a whole, his body of research has resulted in new insights into the effects of conical intersections in spectroscopy and dynamics, including photoelectron spectra and photodissociation. This themed collection will highlight recent theoretical and experimental advancements in nonadiabatic processes, conical intersections, and their effects in all areas of physical chemistry.

Open for Submissions until 1st June 2026

This call for papers is open for the following article types:

  • Communications
  • Full papers
  • Reviews
  • Tutorial Reviews
  • Perspectives

How to Submit:

Articles can be submitted via our website: mc.manuscriptcentral.com/pccp. We would be grateful if upon submission you would mention that your submission is in response to the Open call for the Nonadiabatic events and conical intersections: in memory of David R. Yarkony Themed Collection.

Please note that for publication, manuscripts must meet the usual rigorous and high standards for acceptance in the journal, and all submissions will be subject to initial assessment for suitability for a full peer review before a final decision is made. Accepted articles will be published online in a citeable form, included in the web collection and published in an issue as soon as they are ready. We aim to promote the completed collection in 2026.

When you submit to PCCP you may wish to consider the option of publishing your research open access. Publishing open access with RSC journals can bring increased visibility, wider readership and higher citation potential to your work. More details about open access publishing can be found here. You can also use our journal finder tool to check if your institution currently has an agreement with the RSC that may entitle you to a discount of the article processing charge (APC).

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2025’s PCCP Emerging Investigator Lectureship Award Winner announced: Prof. Kai S. Exner

It is our great pleasure to announce that the Editorial Board have selected the 2025 PCCP Emerging Investigator Lectureship Award recipient. This award recognises and supports emerging scientists working in physical chemistry, chemical physics or biophysical chemistry, who are making outstanding contributions to their field, at an early stage of their careers.

The 2025 PCCP Emerging Investigator Lectureship is awarded to Prof. Kai S. Exner!

In 2024, nominations were open to all and were submitted by leading researchers from around the world. After careful deliberation, Prof. Kai S. Exner (University of Duisburg-Essen) was selected as the 2025 recipient by the PCCP Editorial Board. In addition, a number of the outstanding shortlisted nominees were selected and have been invited to contribute to an Emerging Investigators themed collection, which will be published in 2025/26.
About Prof. Kai S. Exner

Kai S. Exner received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany. He conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Ulm, Germany and Sofia University, Bulgaria before he was appointed Professor for Theoretical Catalysis and Electrochemistry at University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed research articles, most of them as corresponding author.

Exner’s group is working on the theoretical description of electrified solid/ liquid interfaces with a particular focus on catalytic processes in electrolyzers, fuel cells, or batteries. He is applying density functional theory calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, microkinetic approaches, or descriptor-based analyses to model proton-coupled electron transfer steps with application in energy conversion and storage. His work has advanced the scientific discipline of electrocatalysis by developing new concepts and approaches with a focus on the atomic level.

For more information about the Exner Group, please visit: https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/RuqhC71BXFZZn3oH8fkhoCvRB?domain=exner-group.com.

Many congratulations to Prof. Kai S. Exner on this exciting achievement!

Follow the latest news on the PCCP blog, on BlueSky @pccp.rsc.org and on LinkedIn Physical Chemistry Showcase and browse the latest HOT research in our 2025 PCCP HOT articles collection

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