Physics of Fluids (PoF) was founded in 1958 on the recognition that fluid motion lies at the heart of countless natural phenomena and technological innovations and the deepest understanding of fluid motion emerges from a physics-based perspective. 

From the flow of blood in the human body to atmospheric and oceanic circulation, from energy production and advanced manufacturing to aerospace transportation and environmental sustainability, fluid mechanics continues to shape our understanding of the world and our ability to improve it.

Physics first

For nearly seven decades, PoF has remained committed to publishing research that advances the fundamental understanding of fluid phenomena. Although many engineering applications are rooted in fluid mechanics, the journal maintains its distinctive focus on the underlying physics.

This focus is more important than ever. As fluid systems and the methods used to study them become increasingly complex, physical principles provide the foundation needed to interpret results, distinguish discoveries from purely computational or empirical observations, and transform application-specific findings into broadly applicable knowledge. We therefore seek contributions that disclose not only how fluid systems behave, but also why they behave the way they do.

Today, fluid mechanics is undergoing a remarkable revolution. Advances in high-performance computing, machine learning and AI, soft matter physics and multiphase flows are opening new avenues of discovery. PoF has responded by refocusing its scope and introducing special collections in emerging areas, while ensuring that new methods, simulations, and applications produce meaningful physical insight that readers can apply to new applications.

As its editors-in-chief, our vision for PoF is simple: physics-first, faster and fairer. We believe that scientific publishing should emphasize new physical insights and fundamental understanding, provide fair, constructive and transparent peer review based solely on scientific merit. Our objective is not only to identify and publish the highest-quality research, but also to help authors communicate the significance of their scientific contributions as clearly and effectively as possible.

Cross-community collaboration

Many significant advances now emerge from research conducted jointly across disciplines, institutions, and national borders, bringing together complementary expertise to address complex problems. PoF serves this global community of researchers, reviewers, and editors, united by a shared commitment to understanding fluid physics and its applications.

Chinese researchers have made strong contributions to fluid mechanics, providing the rigorous, innovative and physics-based studies that PoF aims to publish. Their work has become an important part of the journal's continued development and the broader advancement of modern fluid mechanics.

During our recent two-week visit to eight leading Chinese universities and research institutions, we saw these priorities reflected in the excellence, creativity, and engagement of researchers and students. They have contributed strongly in physics of fluid areas through papers, peer review, special collections and conference organization.

Response to emerging societal challenges

The challenges facing society, ranging from sustainable energy and climate change to advanced healthcare, transportation and manufacturing, will increasingly require breakthroughs rooted in fluid mechanics.

For example, turbulence control can improve the energy efficiency of aircraft, vehicles, pipelines, and industrial processes, while multiphase-flow research can advance carbon capture and clean-energy technologies. Progress in these areas will depend on the collective efforts of researchers working across disciplines and national borders.

Our newly formed international editorial leadership brings together expertise from leading institutions across Asia, Europe, North America and beyond, enabling the journal to identify emerging research directions and foster collaboration.

We are fortunate to live in an era of unprecedented scientific connectivity. PoF invites researchers worldwide to strengthen our community by contributing their finest work, serving as dedicated and fair reviewers, and helping advance fluid mechanics for the benefit of science and society.

The authors are Savvas G. Hatzikiriakos & Gerald G. Fuller, the co-editors-in-chief of Physics of Fluids.

Journal Review

Since the 20th century, fluid mechanics has developed into one of the foundational disciplines of modern science and technology. As the field increasingly intersects with AI, data-driven modeling, soft matter, biofluids and microfluidics, it will continue to play a vital role in addressing major scientific and societal challenges.

PoF provides authoritative insight into the latest advances in fluid mechanics. Guided by its "physics-first" vision, it publishes theoretical, computational and experimental research that not only describes how fluid systems behave but also reveals the physical mechanisms governing that behavior.

Looking ahead, PoF is expected to continue its tradition of excellence as a premier journal for research on fluid phenomena.  By embracing emerging tools such as AI while addressing critical challenges in energy, sustainability and healthcare, PoF will help lead fluid physics into a new era of discovery and innovation.

—— Dimitris Vlassopoulos, professor at the University of Crete, and affiliated faculty at the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Greece