Commentary on Journal Rejections: The Liu et al. Microwave Absorption Theory Case

This commentary examines the editorial decisions surrounding the rejection of manuscripts by Liu et al. that sought to correct pervasive theoretical errors in the field of microwave absorption, particularly regarding the distinction between film and material concepts. Despite presenting a novel wave mechanics theory and identifying longstanding mistakes in widely cited impedance matching and absorption mechanisms, the authors' submissions were desk-rejected by the journal Carbon, both as a comment and as a review, primarily on grounds of format and perceived lack of importance. The case highlights systemic issues in scientific publishing, including editorial resistance to paradigm-challenging corrections, the limitations of desk review processes, and the broader implications for scientific self-correction and integrity. The eventual acceptance of the work by another peer-reviewed journal underscores the value of diverse publication pathways and raises questions about the responsibilities of journals in maintaining the accuracy of the scientific record.