Most of the processes based on supercritical fluids (SCFs) take advantage of the near-critical region where substances exhibit gas-like transport properties (viscosity, diffusivity) but they can assume densities from gas-like to liquid-like depending on the pressure. For this reason, SCFs are sometimes called “variable geometry” solvents. This unique property, coupled with the environmental friendly characteristics of some common SCFs, such as carbon dioxide and water, makes them attractive for a large variety of processes.

During the last four decades, extensive research has been carried out worldwide about a large variety of applications of SCFs. Some fields have been abandoned while others have been developed up to industrial production. The main focus of this special issue is the recent advancements in supercritical fluid technology from both theoretical and experimental perspectives. Special attention will be given to emerging and sound technologies for industrial applications.

This special issue will highlight the discovery, development, and production aspects inherent with a broad range of research fields based on the unique properties of supercritical fluids. We are inviting investigators from academia and industry to submit original research and review articles. Manuscripts must satisfy the criteria of novelty, quality, and current interest. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Pharmaceutical and medical applications
• Food processing and biotechnology
• Reactions in critical fluids
• Supercritical water and hydrothermal reactions
• Polymers, materials, and membranes processing
• Extraction, fractionation, and adsorption
• Micro/nanoparticles
• Inorganic materials
• Green chemistry and CO₂ remediation
• Fundamentals, modeling, design, and economic analysis

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/chem/physical.chemistry/sft/ according to the following timetable: