CJCE recently published its latest virtual issue: Amplifying Global Research. Within this virtual issue, you will find the 5 top-viewed articles published between 2025 and 2026 from each of the following continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Over the next several months, we will be highlighting the articles from each of these sections in a series of CIC News stories as a means of spotlighting the excellent research being conducted across the globe in chemical engineering.
This month, we will be highlighting the articles in this virtual issue with corresponding authors from Africa. As many of the co-authors of these articles are from various regions, countries, and continents, this reflects the truly international collaboration that is taking place in chemical engineering research.
The first article in this virtual issue is a research article titled “Optimization and predictive modelling of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil catalyzed by blast furnace slag geopolymer using RSM and machine learning” from Pascal Mwenge, Djemima Bulanga, Hilary Rutto, and Tumisang Seodigeng. Here, the authors aim to “optimize and predict biodiesel yield using a numerical approach, response surface methodology (RSM), and two ML algorithms: artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS).”
Next is an article from Iman Nowrouzi, Amir H. Mohammadi, and Abbas Khaksar Manshad titled “Crude oil viscosity reduction using TiO2, MgO, and Al2O3 nanoparticles”. This study “investigates the effects of three metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO2, MgO, and Al2O3) on the viscosity of six crude oil samples with API gravities ranging from 11.04 to 34.50 and initial viscosities between 613 and 24 cP at different temperatures.”
The third article in this section is a review article by Thembekile Hoyi, Masikana Milan Mdleleni, Ntalane Sello Seroka, and Lindiwe Khotseng: “Production of middle distillates through olefin oligomerization using ZSM-5 as a catalyst”. This review “examines advancements in diesel production through olefin oligomerization, highlighting the efficacy of hierarchical ZSM-5 catalysts, which enhance fuel production efficiency through improved pore structures” and “explores sustainable feedstocks, such as light cracked naphtha, which reduce environmental impact, and discusses refinery strategies like FCC unit optimization to boost olefin yields.”
Next is an article titled “Experimental investigation of surface activity, micellization behaviour, and enhanced oil recovery performance of saponin-based green surfactants” from Iman Nowrouzi, Amir H. Mohammadi, and Abbas Khaksar Manshad. In this study “three forms of saponin surfactants extracted from the Camellia sinensis plant (CS1, CS2, and CS3) were investigated” and “related experiments were conducted to determine their characteristics and performance in the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) parameters like interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability.”
Finally, this section of the virtual issue features another review article, this time titled “Geopolymeric membranes: A comprehensive review of emerging wastewater treatment solutions” by Amani Boushila, Samir Ismaili, Adel Zrelli, Souad Najar, Qusay Alsalhy, M. Olga Guerrero-Pérez, Enrique Rodríguez-Castellón, Daniela Gier DellaRocca, Mariana Schneider, and Regina F. Peralta Muniz Moreira. This review “presents a comprehensive overview of the geopolymerization mechanism, key factors influencing membrane performance, and diverse applications in wastewater treatment” and “special emphasis is placed on addressing current challenges such as scalability, fouling resistance, and long-term durability, highlighting how geopolymer membranes can offer innovative solutions for sustainable water management and pollution control.”
One of the many benefits of publishing with CJCE is the availability of funding to authors for open access publication due to Wiley’s Transformational Agreements with funders and institutions across the globe. This includes institutions across Africa, including in South Africa and Namibia with the agreement with SANLiC Member Institutions and Tunisia with the agreement with CNUDST Member Institutions. For information on open access funding by country, see Wiley’s Open Access Accounts by Country or Location page.