Microstructure Characterization and Mechanical Properties of Coal and Coal-Like Materials

<p>In view of the general trend that the development of the global energy industry is oriented toward green low-carbon and efficient utilization scientific research teams in various fields dominated by the coal industry have conducted much research on coal and coal-like materials by borrowing the technologies and concepts of modern materials science and rock mass mechanics hoping to explore new directions for the high value-added utilization of structural coal resources and the development of new coal-like materials. On behalf of <em>Materials</em> we invited you to contribute an original research article to a Special Issue on the microstructure characterization and mechanical properties of coal and coal-like materials. This Special Issue aimed to showcase the latest scientific and technological achievements and cutting-edge test technologies in the study of coal and coal-like materials with exploration of their structural change characteristics and mechanical properties under various influencing factors. Hot topics to be covered include: Analysis of mechanical properties of coal and coal-like materials;</p><p>Multiscale characterization of coal and coal-like materials;</p><p>Development and utilization of coal resources with high added value;</p><p>Void structure and seepage characteristics of coal and coal-like materials;</p><p>Establishment of constitutive relationships.</p>