How a bold publishing experiment revolutionized access to scientific knowledge
For decades, access to cutting-edge scientific discoveries has been a privilege. The latest research is often locked away in expensive academic journals, hidden behind paywalls that require hefty subscriptions. This system creates a barrier for many—students, researchers at smaller institutions, and the curious public—who cannot afford the high cost of knowledge 1 .
But what if there was a different way? In 2007, one scientific journal dared to flip the script. Acta Crystallographica Section E, a journal dedicated to the intricate architecture of crystals, decided to tear down the paywall and bet on a radical idea: that science should be free for everyone to read.
The journey that followed was one of anxiety, a flood of papers, and ultimately, a resounding success that helped pave the way for a more open scientific future 1 6 .
Traditional subscription models limit scientific knowledge to those who can afford expensive journal fees, creating barriers for students and researchers at smaller institutions.
The open-access model removes financial barriers, allowing anyone with an internet connection to read and benefit from scientific research.
The International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), the publisher of Acta Crystallographica Section E, made a daring decision. They would move the journal's operation from a subscription model to a full open-access model 1 .
USD 150
A fraction of typical open-access fees, with generous discounts to ensure affordability for all researchers.
The transition was anything but smooth. The chart below shows the dramatic swings in manuscript submissions in the years surrounding the change, highlighting the "panic submit" phenomenon and the subsequent recovery 1 6 .
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 318 | 185 | 309 | 310 | 279 | 320 | 291 | 266 | 377 | 401 | 376 | 247 |
| 2006 | 330 | 293 | 379 | 346 | 419 | 416 | 463 | 475 | 507 | 539 | 562 | 378 |
| 2007 | 458 | 350 | 681 | 445 | 521 | 518 | 487 | 465 | 450 | 785 | 1,066 | 228 |
| 2008 | 231 | 155 | 286 | 352 | 298 | 326 | 377 | 282 | 383 | 392 | 417 | 347 |
Table 1: Monthly Submissions to Acta Crystallographica Section E (2005-2008)
A staggering 1,066 papers were submitted in a single month—a flood so large the editors were forced to temporarily close the submission system because it was becoming impossible to handle 1 .
Following the initial surge, submissions dropped as authors adjusted to the new system, showing a predictable slump in early 2008.
Submission numbers gradually climbed back up, proving that the scientific community was willing to support the new model 6 .
The open-access model did more than just change how the journal was funded; it changed who was publishing. By making it affordable, it democratized scientific publishing. The data on the geographical origin of the authors tells a powerful story.
| Country | Percentage of Papers |
|---|---|
| China |
|
| India |
|
| USA |
|
| Germany |
|
| Malaysia |
|
| Iran |
|
| Pakistan |
|
| Other Countries |
|
Table 2: Corresponding Author Countries for Papers Published in 2008 6
This global spread shows how lowering financial barriers empowers researchers worldwide to participate in the international scientific conversation.
This global participation was a success that allayed the initial fears of skeptics and proved that a low-cost, high-quality open-access model was not only possible but could thrive 6 .
The journey from growing a crystal to a published structure report relies on a suite of specialized software tools. These programs are the unsung heroes of structural science. The table below details some of the key "reagents" in the computational toolkit of a crystallographer 1 .
| Software Tool | Primary Function |
|---|---|
| APEX2 / CrysAlis RED | Data collection and reduction; processes the raw diffraction data from the diffractometer. |
| SHELXT / JANA2000 | Structure solution; uses the diffraction data to calculate the initial positions of atoms in the crystal. |
| SHELXL / CRYSTALS | Structure refinement; fine-tunes the atomic model to best fit the experimental data. |
| PLATON / OLEX2 | Validation and visualization; checks the structure for errors and creates 3D images for publication. |
| publCIF / enCIFer | Preparation for publication; helps authors format their data into a CIF file for submission to the journal. |
Table 3: Essential Software for Crystal Structure Analysis 1
These tools ensure that the complex data from an experiment is processed accurately and presented clearly, forming the technical backbone of every structure report published in the journal 1 .
Crystal Growth
Data Collection
Structure Solution
Refinement
Validation
Publication
The success of Acta Crystallographica Section E was about more than just surviving a business model change. It demonstrated that the scientific community values accessibility and is willing to adapt to achieve it.
The combination of free access for all readers and a low charge to authors proved to be a winning and attractive formula 1 .
The fears that open access would mean a decline in quality or quantity were proven wrong. The journal maintained its high standards, and submissions recovered steadily 6 .
This successful transition has served as a powerful example for other scientific fields, showing that a future where knowledge is free for everyone to read and contribute to is not just an ideal, but an achievable reality 6 . It was a major change, born not from crisis, but from a huge success and a steadfast belief that science belongs to the world.
References will be added here manually.