Dear Teguh Hady Ariwibowo ,

The journal “Clean Energy Science and Technology (CEST)” (https://cae.usp-pl.com/index.php/cest ) is (although they try to hide this) indeed published by “Universe Scientific Publishers”, this publisher is listed in the Beall’s list of potential predatory publishers (https://beallslist.net ). This is a red flag and there are more:

They are not discussed positively here https://harzing.com/blog/2017/09/even-my-errata-are-valued-publications and here http://flakyj.blogspot.com/2019/02/vision-science-research-and-universe.html

Using the contact info mentioned in the CEST journal you end up with USP and “Academic Publishing Pte Ltd” https://ojs.acad-pub.com/index.php/CAI/about/contact another dubious name

They are in a web of well… dubious players, see for example my comment here https://retractionwatch.com/2021/10/12/journal-distances-itself-from-cash-for-citations-scheme-after-retraction-watch-report/ and my reply of July 18th, 2019 here https://www.researchgate.net/post/Innoscience-Research-Sdn-Bhd/1

-Looking at the CEST journal they proudly mention Prof. Enrico Drioli, but despite the photo of a young(er) version, he is already more than 80 years old (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/membranes/special_issues/drioli_80 )

-He used to be editorial board member of a journal from Scientific & Academic Publishing Co. USA (a publisher mentioned in the Beall’s list) and is currently an editorial board member of “International Journal of Innovative Studies in Sciences and Engineering Technology” and mentioned in the stand-alone version of the Beall’s list (https://beallslist.net/standalone-journals/ ) and a journal published by Scientific Research Publishing again a publisher listed in the Beall’s list (https://beallslist.net )

Although nowadays some players in the scientific publishing world becoming better and better in presenting themselves misleadingly professionally, I personally would avoid this one.

Best regards.

Dear Rob Keller

Thank you for your details explanation. It could save many people to keep stay away from predatory publishers.