Aims & Scope

Defining the Frontier of Interdisciplinary Applied Research

Our Mission

SOLAV Journal is a peer-reviewed open access publication dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research that bridges theoretical innovation with tangible real-world applications. We prioritize scholarship demonstrating clear societal relevance, methodological rigor, and meaningful connections across disciplinary boundaries.

Core Aims of the Journal

SOLAV is founded on the following key principles and objectives:

Bridge Disciplines

Actively foster and highlight research at the intersection of established fields (e.g., bio-engineering, computational social science, sustainable materials chemistry) where breakthrough innovations occur.

Accelerate Application

Prioritize studies with clear pathways to application, technology transfer, or policy impact. We value research that addresses concrete challenges and proposes viable solutions.

Champion Open Science

Remove all access barriers by publishing under a permissive CC BY license. We support open methodologies, data, and code to ensure reproducibility and maximize collective progress.

Ensure Rigor & Speed

Maintain the highest standards of peer review while leveraging a continuous publication model to reduce submission-to-publication time dramatically, giving research timely relevance.

Build a Community

Create a dynamic intellectual hub for researchers, engineers, and practitioners committed to applied problem-solving, facilitating dialogue and collaboration through our published content.

Anticipate Future Challenges

Encourage forward-looking research that anticipates future technological needs and societal challenges, shaping the trajectory of applied science rather than merely following it.

Topical Scope & Research Areas

SOLAV publishes interdisciplinary applied research that bridges computational methods, engineering systems, and digital infrastructure. We prioritize work that can be conducted with accessible resources (standard computing equipment, open datasets, literature-based analysis) and demonstrates clear real-world applicability.

Applied Artificial Intelligence

Practical implementations of machine learning and AI systems with demonstrated real-world utility and ethical consideration.

  • Explainable AI (XAI) for high-stakes domains
  • AI safety, reliability, and failure mode analysis
  • Small language models and efficient inference
  • Algorithmic fairness and bias mitigation
Sustainable Energy Systems

Engineering analysis and optimization of renewable energy technologies and resource-efficient systems.

  • Hybrid renewable energy systems modeling
  • Energy storage lifecycle analysis
  • Circular economy technologies and resource flows
  • Sustainable materials informatics
Digital Scholarly Infrastructure

Computational approaches to understanding technology's societal impact using open data and literature-based methods.

  • AI ethics and algorithmic governance frameworks
  • Digital policy analysis and regulatory assessment
  • Computational social science using open datasets
  • Science and technology studies (literature-based)
  • Scholarly communication models and open science practices
Computational Methods & Tools

Novel algorithms, software tools, and analytical frameworks with interdisciplinary applicability.

  • Reproducible computational workflows
  • Open-source research software development
  • Data visualization for complex systems
  • Simulation and modeling techniques

Scope Boundaries

To ensure review feasibility and author clarity, we explicitly do not publish:

  • Wet lab experiments requiring specialized equipment
  • Pure theoretical mathematics or computer science without applied demonstration
  • Large-scale surveys or ethnographic studies requiring primary data collection
  • Pure humanities scholarship (literary analysis, philosophy without technological focus)

We publish research involving human subjects only when appropriate ethical approvals are documented. Independent researchers without institutional IRB access may provide alternative ethics review documentation or detailed justification following Declaration of Helsinki principles.

When in doubt: If your research demonstrates clear interdisciplinary application and real-world relevance, it likely fits our scope. Contact [email protected] for scope confirmation before submission.

Note: This list represents our core areas of interest but is not exhaustive. We encourage authors working on novel applications at the confluence of these or other fields to contact the editorial office if they are uncertain about the fit of their manuscript. SOLAV particularly values interdisciplinary research that bridges technical, social, and humanistic dimensions to address real-world challenges.

Types of Contributions

SOLAV publishes the following categories of articles:

Article Type Description Max. Words*
Research Article Original reports of significant research findings, presenting new data and analysis. Must include explicit discussion of applied implications and interdisciplinary relevance. 8,000
Review Article Comprehensive, critical synthesis of existing literature. Should identify interdisciplinary connections and future research directions. 10,000
Short Communication Brief reports of urgent, preliminary, or highly significant findings requiring rapid dissemination. 3,000
Case Study Detailed analysis of a specific real-world application, implementation, or project. 5,000
Perspective / Vision Forward-looking articles presenting new viewpoints, hypotheses, or speculative forward-looking research on future directions. 4,000
Methodology / Protocol Detailed descriptions of novel experimental or computational methods, tools, or protocols. 6,000

*Word limits are inclusive of abstract, main text, references, and figure/table legends. Please consult the complete Author Guidelines for detailed formatting instructions.

Ready to Contribute to the Frontier?

If your research aligns with our mission and scope, we invite you to prepare your manuscript according to our guidelines and submit it for consideration.

Submit Your Manuscript View Author Guidelines