Prof. Nicholas Sammut receives Outstanding Special Issue Award as Guest Editor

Prof. Ing. Nicholas Sammut, Head of the Department of Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics in the Faculty of ICT at the University of Malta, has been awarded the "Outstanding Special Issue Award" by the international journal Sensors (MDPI) in his role as Guest Editor.

The award recognises the significant impact and academic quality of the Special Issue titled "Advances in Magnetic Sensors and Their Applications," which Prof. Sammut guest-edited alongside Dr Marco Calvi from the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland.

The Scope of the Special Issue

Magnetic sensors are foundational components in modern technology, acting as the "eyes and ears" for systems ranging from industrial robotics to medical imaging. The Special Issue was curated to address the growing demand for high-precision, low-power sensing solutions in an increasingly automated world.

The collection features a range of peer-reviewed articles that explore both the fundamental physics of sensing and its practical engineering applications highlighting the versatility of magnetic sensors in solving complex real-world problems. Key areas of focus within the issue include:

• High-Sensitivity Magnetometry: Several papers focus on the development of next-generation sensors for weak-field detection. This includes research into superconducting quantum magnetometers utilizing flux-focusing effects and the performance enhancement of fluxgate magnetometers through the use of novel Cu-doped amorphous microwire cores.
  
  
• Biomedical Innovations & Healthcare: The issue highlights the transformative role of magnetic sensing in medicine. Key papers discuss the magnetostatic simulation and design of novel radiofrequency (RF) coils for MRI to improve signal-to-noise ratios, as well as in silico studies on Frequency Mixing Magnetic Detection (FMMD) for highly sensitive biosensing using magnetic nanoparticles. Additionally, the collection features work on wireless implantable sensors for long-term monitoring of conditions like abdominal aortic aneurysms.
  
  
• Industrial Monitoring & Non-Destructive Testing: The Special Issue addresses critical safety and performance needs in industry. This includes the development of multistage excitation magnetic circuits for detecting wire rope breakage in high-speed operations and tactile sensing systems that utilize magnetorheological structures to provide haptic feedback in human-machine interfaces.
  
  
• Power Systems & Instrumentation: Contributors also presented non-invasive methods for the online monitoring of current transformer performance in power grids, using Norton’s theorem to measure excitation impedance and ensure grid stability.

The MDPI Outstanding Special Issue Award is granted based on several criteria, including the scientific rigor of the papers, the number of citations, and the overall contribution to the field of sensors. By bringing together a diverse group of international researchers, the Special Issue is a reference point for engineers and physicists working on the next generation of magnetic devices.

This award recognises the role of the guest editors and stands as a testament to the contributions and collective expertise of over 50 contributing authors and more than 100 peer reviewers, whose rigorous technical evaluations upheld the journal’s high scientific standards. Such an achievement underscores the University of Malta’s active engagement within the global research community. Through this editorial work, Prof. Sammut has facilitated the thorough vetting and dissemination of cutting-edge advancements to the wider scientific public. Sensors (MDPI) has an Impact Factor of 3.5, a CiteScore of 8.2 and is indexed in PubMed, Scopus and Clarivate’s Web of Science Citation Index Expanded.

The full Special Issue, including all open-access articles, can be viewed online.