- Focus and Scope
- Section Policies
- Peer Review Process
- Open Access Policy
- Archiving
- Editorial Board
- Ethics
- License and Copyright terms
- Articles publishing charge (APC)
- Abstracting & Indexing
- Journal DOI
- Policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Topics covered by discipline
Focus and Scope
Sciences des Structures et de la Matière (SSM) is one of the nine series of “Revue Africaine et Malgache de Recherche Scientifique” (RAMReS) sponsored by “Conseil Africain et Malgache pour l’Enseignement Supérieur” (CAMES) which is the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education.
SSM is a blind peer reviewed, open access (see section 4.4) and multidisciplinary scientific journal covering various fields: Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Materials Sciences, Environmental Sciences. However, Sciences des Structures et de la Matière shows particular interest in research works on the relationships between structure (nano, micro, meso or macro), production processes, material properties (electrical, mechanical, electronic, chemical, magnetic, thermal, optical, biochemical, etc.) and their applications.
SSM welcomes various types of articles that have never been published: Original full-length research papers, Reviews, Case study and Short communications.
- Original full-length research papers present results of new and original research, including methodology, results and discussion.
- Reviews articles synthesize and analyze (critically) existing works on a given subject, providing an overview of current knowledge.
- Case study papers present specific case studies illustrating particular situations. They may also describe new research methods or techniques with examples of application.
- Short communications are shorter than the original research articles. They present works that may be of a preliminary nature but merit publication.
Section Policies
Articles
 Open Submissions |
Indexed |
Peer Reviewed |
Peer Review Process
1. Editorial philosophy
Sciences des Structures et de la Matière (SSM) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific quality and integrity through a rigorous and transparent evaluation process. As a SCOPUS-indexed, multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Conseil Africain et Malgache pour l'Enseignement Supérieur (CAMES), we ensure that all submissions are assessed fairly, constructively, and efficiently.
The journal covers research in Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Materials Sciences, and Environmental Sciences, with particular interest in studies exploring the relationships between structure (nano, micro, meso, or macro), production processes, material properties, and applications.
2. Two-stage review process
SSM employs a two-stage review process to ensure rigorous manuscript assessment.
2.1 Stage 1: Pre-review (Editorial Board)
Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes a pre-review by the Editorial Committee. This phase does not exceed two weeks from the date of submission.
The pre-review assesses manuscripts based on ten criteria, with a maximum total score of 10 points:
N° | Criterion | Points |
1 | Plagiarism Check (<15% similarity) | 2.0 |
2 | Originality / Novelty | 2.0 |
3 | Scope and Aims | 1.5 |
4 | Quality of Writing | 1.5 |
5 | Bibliographic List | 1.0 |
6 | Manuscript Format | 0.7 |
7 | Abstract (≤250 words) | 0.5 |
8 | Title (relevance, conciseness) | 0.4 |
9 | Keywords (≤6 keywords) | 0.2 |
10 | AI Content Checker | 0.2 |
Total maximum | 10.0 | |
Pre-review verdicts:
Score | Verdict | Decision |
≥ 9.5 | Pass | Proceeds to peer review |
5.0–9.4 | Revision required | Authors invited to revise and resubmit |
< 5.0 | Reject | Rejected at pre-review stage |
2.2 Stage 2: Peer review (External Reviewers)
Manuscripts that pass pre-review are sent to external reviewers for double-blind peer review.
- Review model: Double-blind (reviewers and authors are anonymous to each other)
- Review Timeline: Average of 8 weeks from submission to publication (including pre-review)
3. Peer review process
3.1 Reviewer selection
Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, publication record, and absence of conflicts of interest with the authors or their institutions. The editorial team maintains a diverse database of qualified reviewers from the international scientific community.
3.2 Reviewer responsibilities
Reviewers are expected to:
- Maintain confidentiality throughout the review process
- Decline invitations if they have conflicts of interest or lack expertise
- Provide objective, constructive, and timely evaluations (typically within 4-6 weeks)
- Not use AI tools (such as ChatGPT or large language models) to analyze or summarize manuscripts
- Alert editors to any suspected ethical violations
3.3 Review criteria
Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on:
Criterion | Key Questions |
Scientific Quality & Originality | Does the work present original research? Does it contribute new knowledge? |
Relevance to Scope | Does it address relationships between structure, processes, properties, and applications? |
Methodology | Are methods appropriate, clearly described, and reproducible? |
Presentation, Validity & Discussion | Are results clear and well-supported? Is interpretation relevant? Are conclusions justified? |
Literature & Referencing | Are prior works appropriately cited? |
3.4 Review recommendations
Reviewers select one of the following recommendations:
Recommendation | Description |
Accept | Suitable for publication in current form |
Minor Revisions | Small corrections needed; no further review likely |
Major Revisions | Substantial changes required; re-review recommended |
Reject | Does not meet journal standards or is outside scope |
3.5 Confidential comments
Reviewers may provide confidential comments to editors regarding ethical concerns, suspected plagiarism, or other issues requiring editorial attention.
4. Ethical guidelines
4.1 Plagiarism and integrity
All submissions undergo plagiarism detection during pre-review, with a strict <15% similarity threshold. Reviewers must report any suspected:
- Plagiarism or self-plagiarism
- Data fabrication or falsification
- Duplicate submission
- Undisclosed AI-generated content
4.2 Disclosure
Manuscripts must disclose:
- Funding sources
- Potential conflicts of interest
- Ethics approval (for human/animal research)
- Use of AI-assisted technologies
5. Language policy
The journal accepts manuscripts in French and English. Reviews may be submitted in either language. Evaluation focuses on scientific content, though significant language issues affecting comprehension should be noted.
6. Review timeline summary
Stage | Duration |
Pre-review | ≤ 2 weeks |
Peer review (first round) | 4-6 weeks |
Revisions (author) | Variable |
Re-review (if required) | 2-4 weeks |
Total (average) | 10 weeks to publication |
7. Final decision and post-publication integrity
The decision on a manuscript rests solely with the Editorial Board of Sciences des Structures et de la Matière. After peer review and any required revisions, the Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the Editorial Board, makes the final decision regarding acceptance or rejection. This decision is final and binding.
The journal's responsibility for upholding academic integrity extends beyond the date of publication. If plagiarism or any other form of scientific misconduct is discovered after an article has been published, the following protocol will be enacted:
- Investigation: The Editorial Board will immediately launch a formal investigation in accordance with COPE guidelines .
- Outcome: Based on the extent, severity, and impact of the plagiarized content, the response will range from a correction (for minor issues) to a full retraction (for major ethical breaches).
- Notification: The authors' institutions and relevant funding bodies will be notified of the finding of misconduct.
8. Reviewer recognition
SSM acknowledges the valuable contribution of reviewers through:
- An Reviewer certificate is granted upon request
- Possible inclusion in the Editorial board for consistently high-quality reviews
9. Contact information
Editorial Office
Sciences des Structures et de la Matière
Email: support@ramresmat.org
Editor-in-Chief:
David BOA
Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire
Email: boadavid.sfa@univ-na.ci / boadavidfr@yahoo.fr
Version 3.0 | Last updated: March 2026
Open Access Policy
Sciences des Structures et de la Matière is a scholarly journal fully committed to the principles of Open Access. We believe that research should be accessible to everyone, without financial or technical barriers, to accelerate discovery and maximize the societal impact of science.
All articles published in Sciences des Structures et de la Matière are made immediately and permanently available online, free of charge for everyone, upon publication. There are no subscription fees for readers or institutions (Gold Open Access).
To support this model, our journal is funded by Article Processing Charges (APCs). These charges cover the costs associated with the entire publication process, including peer-review management, professional copyediting and typesetting, and indexing.
In line with our mission of accessibility, our Article Processing Charges (APCs) are set at a deliberately modest rate. This approach ensures that publishing in Sciences des Structures et de la Matière remains a viable option for researchers worldwide, regardless of their funding levels.
Archiving
LOCKSS system
Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief
D. Boa, Laboratoire de Thermodynamique et de Physico-Chimie du Milieu, UFR Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire. Email : david.boa@una-ufrsfa.ci; boadavidfr@yahoo.fr
Advisory Board
Y.B. Bonzi-Coulibaly, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, UFR-SEA, Burkina Faso
G. Tchangbedji, University of Lomé, Togo
E.E. Megnassan, Nangui Abrogoua University, Côte d’Ivoire
Y.-A. Békro, Nangui Abrogoua University, Côte d’Ivoire
Associate Editors
M.D. Ndiaye, Gaston Berger University, Sénégal
P.A. Drogui, National Institute of Scientific Research, University of Québec, Canada
J. Sei, Félix Houphouët Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire
D.K. Mani, University of Lomé, Togo
M. Gomina, ENSI-Caen, France
C. Lamboni, University of Lomé, Togo
M. Banna, Université of Lomé, Togo
J.J. Anguile, University of Science and Technology of Masuku, Gabon
D. Hellali, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
O. Therasme, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
S.A. Osseni, UNSTIM, Bénin
Editorial Secretary
S.D. Zézé, Nangui Abrogoua University, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Ethics
Submission of a manuscript to Sciences des Structures et de la Matière implies that the work presented has never been published before and is not submitted concurrently for publication in another journal. Manuscripts submitted for publication must present unpublished experimental or theoretical results.
Once accepted, the article in whole or in part shall no longer be published in any other journal in any form whatsoever.
The contributions published by Sciences des Structures et de la Matière represent the opinion of the authors and not that of the Editorial Board or the journal Editor named CRUFAOCI, much less of CAMES. All authors are responsible for the entire content of their contributions. To this end, it is the responsibility of the corresponding author to ensure that all co-authors have approved the manuscript in its submitted form.
For transparency, when a manuscript is carried by at least two co-authors, it is strongly encouraged to indicate the individual contributions of each co-author: conceptualization; writing (original draft or review); supervision; investigation; data curation; formal analysis, validation; methodology; funding acquisition; visualization, etc. This part will not appear on the published article but is compiled in the journal database.
The order in which names appear on an article cannot be changed after it has been published. Any addition or deletion of author names on an accepted or published can only be done with the approval of the journal Editor.License and Copyright terms
Sciences des Structures et de la Matière is a Gold Open Access journal. Reflecting the principle that unrestricted access to knowledge is essential for accelerating scientific progress, all articles published by Sciences des Structures et de la Matière are under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
This license is considered the international standard for true Open Access. It maximizes the visibility, impact, and reuse of research while ensuring that authors receive proper credit for their work.
You can read the full legal code of the license here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Author rights
Once the publication fees have been paid in full, the article is accessible to all without any embargo period, restriction or charge. The authors remain the sole and full copyright holder of their work They may share their article on other platforms, in institutional databases, or use their work for personal or academic purposes.
User rights
Users have permission to read, download, and print articles for free. They may also share and redistribute the material in any medium or format. Furthermore, they are free to adapt, remix, transform, and build upon the article, which includes actions such as translating it into another language, using a figure or table in a new work, compiling it into a collection, or performing text and data mining. These permissions extend to any purpose, including commercial use. The only obligation is to provide appropriate credit to the original authors. This attribution must clearly state the author's name(s) and the article's title. It should also reference the journal (Sciences des Structures et de la Matière) with a link to the original source (ideally the DOI), and include a mention of the CC BY 4.0 license with a link to it. Finally, if the work has been modified, a statement indicating this is required.
Articles publishing charge (APC)
Any accepted article can only be published if the entire amount of 100,000 F CFA (XOF) (not including transaction costs) corresponding to 160 €, is paid by the authors. This amount includes the review and the publication fees. The full APC is paid directly to the bank account of CRUFAOCI (UBA Burkina).
For further information, please contact the Editor-in-Chief (Email address: boadavid.sfa@univ-na.ci/ boadavidfr@yahoo.fr; WhatsApp: +2250151064942).
Policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Authors may use AI tools to improve the language and clarity of their text. However, authors are fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the content. Any use of generative AI tools in the writing of the manuscript must be declared in the "Methods" or "Acknowledgments" section.
Topics covered by discipline
Sciences des Structures et de la Matière welcomes submissions across its core disciplines, with a particular emphasis on research that explores the intricate relationships between structure (nano, micro, meso, or macro), production processes, material properties, and applications.
To assist authors in identifying the most appropriate category for their work, the journal provides detailed topic lists for each discipline. These lists reflect the journal's scope and highlight the thematic priorities within each field. Every effort has been made to ensure that these lists are as comprehensive as possible, covering the principal research directions within each discipline. However, given the inherently evolving and interdisciplinary nature of the field, these lists should not be considered exhaustive. For any questions regarding the suitability of a specific topic, or if the desired subject is not explicitly mentioned, authors are encouraged to contact the Editor-in-Chief for further clarification.
1. Chemistry
Chemistry submissions should focus on the synthesis, characterization, and understanding of materials and molecular structures.
Topics covered include:
- Synthesis of functional materials: Design and development of new materials with controlled structures and properties
- Molecular and macromolecular chemistry: Synthesis of polymers, organic compounds, and hybrid materials
- Coordination chemistry and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): Porous materials for gas storage, separation, and catalysis
- Green chemistry and sustainable synthesis: Environmentally friendly pathways, bio-based precursors, and reduced energy consumption processes
- Photochemistry and polymerization: Advanced photopolymerization systems, photoinitiators, and light-induced synthesis
- Surface and interface chemistry: Functionalization, coatings, and chemical modifications of surfaces
- Catalysis: Development of catalytic materials for energy conversion, environmental remediation, and chemical production
- Electrochemistry: Materials for batteries, supercapacitors, and electrochemical sensors
2. Physics
Physics submissions should explore the fundamental principles governing the behavior of matter and its structural organization.
Topics covered include:
- Structure, dynamics, and phase transitions: Understanding how atomic and molecular arrangements dictate material behavior
- Soft matter and complex systems: Glasses, polymers, colloids, and liquid crystals
- Statistical physics and multi-scale phenomena: Non-equilibrium processes, self-organization, and emergent behavior
- Electronic and magnetic properties: Transport phenomena, magnetism, and electronic structure of materials
- Optical and photonic properties: Light-matter interactions, spectroscopy, and photonic materials
- Low-dimensional systems: Physics of 2D materials (graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides), nanowires, and quantum dots
- Semiconductor physics: Materials for microelectronics, sensors, and energy applications
- Fluid dynamics and turbulence: Flow phenomena, rheology, and hydrodynamic instabilities
3. Biochemistry
Biochemistry submissions should focus on the molecular basis of biological processes and the interaction between biological molecules and materials.
Topics covered include:
- Biomolecular structure and function: Proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, and their structural organization
- Macromolecular interactions: Protein-protein, protein-DNA, and ligand-receptor interactions
- Bioenergetics and metabolic pathways: Energy conversion and biochemical reaction mechanisms
- Structural biochemistry: Crystallography, NMR, and cryo-EM studies of biomolecules
- Enzyme mechanisms and kinetics: Catalytic mechanisms and inhibition studies
- Biochemical aspects of materials: Understanding how biological molecules interact with synthetic materials
4. Biophysics
Biophysics submissions should investigate the physical principles governing biological systems and the interface between biology and materials science.
Topics covered include:
- Biomolecular structure and dynamics: Physical characterization of proteins, DNA, and membranes
- Single-molecule biophysics: Mechanical and dynamic properties of individual biomolecules
- Membrane biophysics: Structure, mechanics, and transport phenomena in lipid bilayers
- Biomolecular interactions with surfaces: How proteins and cells respond to topographical and chemical signals
- Mechanobiology: Cellular responses to mechanical stimuli and forces
- Biophysics of nanomaterials: Interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems, including toxicity studies
- Spectroscopy and imaging: Advanced techniques for studying biological systems at molecular resolution
5. Mathematics
Mathematics submissions should contribute to the modeling, simulation, and theoretical understanding of structures and material behavior.
Topics covered include:
- Mathematical modeling of material properties: Constitutive equations, transport phenomena, and mechanical behavior
- Multi-scale modeling: Mathematical frameworks linking atomic to continuum scales
- Numerical analysis and simulation: Finite element methods, molecular dynamics, and computational techniques
- Statistical methods for materials science: Data analysis, uncertainty quantification, and design of experiments
- Optimization and inverse problems: Design of materials with target properties
- Geometric modeling of structures: Representation and analysis of complex material architectures
- Dynamical systems and pattern formation: Mathematical description of self-organization and growth phenomena
- Algebraic and number-theoretic methods for material structure analysis: Application of algebra, geometry of numbers, and combinatorics to crystallography, lattice determination, and the study of symmetries and structural invariants.
6. Computer science
Computer science submissions should focus on computational approaches to materials discovery, characterization, and process optimization.
Topics covered include:
- Computational materials science: Atomistic simulations, density functional theory (DFT), and molecular dynamics
- Machine learning in materials science: Data-driven discovery of new materials, property prediction, and inverse design
- Multi-scale simulations: Coupling methods spanning electronic to continuum scales
- High-throughput computing: Automated screening of materials and properties
- Scientific computing and visualization: Algorithms for processing and interpreting experimental data
- Digital twins: Virtual representations of materials and processes for optimization
- Software development for materials science: Open-source tools, databases, and platforms
- AI for process control: Intelligent systems for optimizing production processes
7. Materials sciences
Materials Science is at the heart of the journal's scope. Submissions should explore the relationships between structure, processing, properties, and applications across all material classes .
Topics covered include:
Material Class | Specific Topics |
Metals and alloys | Phase transformations, mechanical properties, corrosion, creep, structural hardening, irradiation effects |
Ceramics and glasses | Structural ceramics, fracture toughness, functional ceramics, ionic conductors |
Polymers and composites | Structural properties, polymer synthesis, biodegradable polymers, lightweight composites |
Functional materials | Semiconductors, magnetic materials, optoelectronic materials, thermoelectrics |
Nanomaterials | Nanoparticles, nanowires, 2D materials, quantum dots, and their size-dependent properties |
Porous materials | Zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), mesoporous materials for adsorption and catalysis |
Energy materials | Battery materials, supercapacitors, photovoltaics, fuel cells, hydrogen storage |
Carbon-based materials | Graphene, carbon nanotubes, activated carbons, carbon composites |
Biomaterials | Biohybrid tissues, implants, drug delivery systems, biocompatible coatings |
Key focus areas:
- Structure-property relationships: Understanding how microstructure dictates properties
- Processing-microstructure linkages: How synthesis and processing conditions influence structure
- Materials characterization: Advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, and diffraction techniques
- Materials for sustainability: Green materials, recyclability, and reduced environmental impact
- Materials under extreme conditions: High temperature, pressure, radiation, or corrosive environments
8. Environmental sciences
Environmental science submissions should address the role of materials in environmental monitoring, protection, and sustainable development.
Topics covered include:
- Environmental remediation materials: Adsorbents, catalysts, and membranes for pollutant removal
- Water treatment technologies: Filtration, adsorption, and photocatalytic degradation of contaminants
- Air purification: Materials for capturing volatile organic compounds, CO₂, and particulates
- Sustainable materials: Bio-based polymers, green steel, and materials from renewable resources
- Waste valorization: Converting waste streams into valuable materials and energy
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) : Environmental impact analysis of materials and processes
- Circular economy and recycling: Material recovery, closed-loop systems, and recyclable material design
- Green energy technologies: Materials for renewable energy production and storage
- Environmental monitoring: Sensors and detection systems for pollutants and environmental parameters
9. Cross-disciplinary emphasis
In line with the journal's scope, authors are encouraged to highlight how their work addresses the relationships between structure, processes, properties, and applications. Submissions that bridge multiple disciplines - for example, computational materials science, bio-inspired materials, or materials for environmental sustainability - are particularly welcome.
10. Contact information
For questions regarding the topics covered, please contact:
Editorial Office
Sciences des Structures et de la Matière
Email: support@ramresmat.org
Editor-in-Chief:
David BOA
Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire
Email: boadavid.sfa@univ-na.ci / boadavidfr@yahoo.fr
Version 3.0 | Last updated: March 2026
Sciences des Structures et de la Matière published by CRUFAOCI is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.