Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing (MSSP) is an interdisciplinary journal in Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering with the purpose of reporting scientific advancements of the highest quality arising from new techniques in sensing, instrumentation, signal processing, modelling and control of dynamic systems. MSSP papers are expected to make a demonstrable original contribution to engineering knowledge, which should be significant in terms of advancement over established methods. Especially sought are papers that include both theoretical and experimental aspects, or that include theoretical material of high relevance to practical applications. MSSP is a leader in its field and research areas covered include:

1. Actuation, Sensing and Control

• Vibration & noise control
• Travelling waves
• Smart-material systems
• Piezoelectrics
• Adaptivity
• Integrated systems

2. Measurement & Signal Processing

• Signal processing for the understanding of mechanical systems
• Full-field vibration/acoustic measurements
• Big data problems

3. Nonlinearity

• Nonlinear vibration problems
• Nonlinear normal modes
• Energy harvesting

4. Rotating Machines, Machinery Diagnostics & SHM

• Diagnostics and prognostics
• Rotor dynamics
• Cracks in rotors
• Bearings and gears

5. Uncertainty Quantification

• Probabilistic, interval & fuzzy analysis
• Reliability and robustness
• Bayesian methods

6. Vibrations, Modal Analysis & Structures

• Structural modelling & identification
• Inverse problems
• Operational modal analysis
• Ambient vibration testing

Authors of papers with Machine-Learning or Signal Processing content should see the MSSP guidelines on these subjects: http://media.journals.elsevier.com/content/files/machine-learning-04180327.pdf
https://www.elsevier.com/__data/promis_misc/SignalProcessing.pdf 

Special Issue on Next-generation vibration control exploiting nonlinearity
Submission Date: 2022-01-31

Nonlinearities are inevitable in engineered systems and have historically contributed to analysis and design challenges associated with uncertain and unexpected behavior. However, recent advances in analysis, design and control of vibration systems demonstrate that nonlinear behavior can be well accounted for and consequently employed in vibration control. This has led to improved vibration isolation and/or suppression performance as compared to traditional linear counterparts. Nonlinear stiffness, nonlinear damping and nonlinear inertia (or equivalent mass) can all be exploited for vibration control, individually or simultaneously, to achieve advantageous and reliable performance. Beneficial nonlinear behaviors can be realized in equivalent stiffness, damping and/or inertia (mass) for a vibration isolation system via simple structure or mechanism designs. The resulting beneficial nonlinear dynamics can also be intentionally introduced into active vibration control systems, such as in vehicle suspensions, to achieve improved vibration suppression and energy-saving control. The potential benefits can be further extended to many other multi-disciplinary areas including sensor systems, energy harvesting, novel actuators, and robots. However, critical challenges and open problems still exist, to include: which nonlinearities are beneficial to specific vibration control problems, in what situations are they beneficial and reliable, and how to implement them in the simplest and most cost-effective way. This special issue is thus devoted to collecting new advances and/or pioneering studies which will reshape our understanding and knowledge of the application of nonlinear dynamics in vibration control, isolation, and related engineering disciplines.

Potential topics both in theory and/or experiments related to exploiting nonlinear benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Passive nonlinear vibration isolation or suppression
- Nonlinear tuned mass dampers
- Nonlinear energy sinks
- Nonlinear energy transfer
- Shock, blast, or chattering control
- X-shaped structure/mechanism-based vibration control
- Novel structure/mechanism designs for vibration control
- Nonlinear metamaterials for vibration control
- Nonlinear active vibration control
- Semi-active nonlinear vibration control
- Nonlinear dynamic vibration absorption
- Nonlinear vehicle suspension systems
- Bio-inspired nonlinear vibration control
- Nonlinear energy harvesting
- Beneficial nonlinear phenomena in acoustics or noise control
- Understanding of beneficial nonlinear features/effects in vibration control
- Analysis and design methods for understanding and exploiting nonlinear effects
- Nonlinear vibration control in engineering practice
- Applications of nonlinear stiffness, nonlinear damping and/or nonlinear inertia