The journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM) has reportedly converted to a no-fee open access (OA) model with its January-March issue. The journal is being published by Japan's National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in partnership with IOP Publishing.
STAM, sponsored by NIMS, is a web-based, OA source of information on international developments in materials science. According to the editorial in the first issue, the contents are free to read, there is an 'author friendly' copyright policy, and there are no publication charges. By employing this publication model, NIMS hopes to contribute to the research activities of materials scientists worldwide.
Further, to give greater worldwide visibility to authors, copies of the journal will be distributed free of charge at international conferences. In addition, the STAM website will feature regularly updated news and research summaries of important developments.
