diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index d2aca73316..f474bbc0ad 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ possible.
 Development Site
 ================
 
-The current development version is 3.1.0a4. The current stable version is
+The current development version is 3.1.0b1. The current stable version is
 3.0.0. The `latest Cantera source code <https://github.com/Cantera/cantera>`_,
 the `issue tracker <https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues>`_ for bugs and
 enhancement requests, `downloads of Cantera releases and binary installers
diff --git a/SConstruct b/SConstruct
index 80b193455b..353e26c243 100644
--- a/SConstruct
+++ b/SConstruct
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ logger.info(
     f"SCons {SCons.__version__} is using the following Python interpreter:\n"
     f"    {sys.executable} (Python {python_version})", print_level=False)
 
-cantera_version = "3.1.0a4"
+cantera_version = "3.1.0b1"
 # For use where pre-release tags are not permitted (MSI, sonames)
 cantera_pure_version = re.match(r'(\d+\.\d+\.\d+)', cantera_version).group(0)
 cantera_short_version = re.match(r'(\d+\.\d+)', cantera_version).group(0)
diff --git a/doc/doxygen/Doxyfile b/doc/doxygen/Doxyfile
index b68399a50b..021086d202 100644
--- a/doc/doxygen/Doxyfile
+++ b/doc/doxygen/Doxyfile
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ PROJECT_NAME           = Cantera
 # could be handy for archiving the generated documentation or if some version
 # control system is used.
 
-PROJECT_NUMBER         = 3.1.0a4
+PROJECT_NUMBER         = 3.1.0b1
 
 # Using the PROJECT_BRIEF tag one can provide an optional one line description
 # for a project that appears at the top of each page and should give viewer a
diff --git a/doc/sphinx/reference/releasenotes/index.md b/doc/sphinx/reference/releasenotes/index.md
index 7e69eba5ad..786f3489e2 100644
--- a/doc/sphinx/reference/releasenotes/index.md
+++ b/doc/sphinx/reference/releasenotes/index.md
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 ```{toctree}
 :maxdepth: 1
 
+v3.1
 v3.0
 v2.6
 v2.5
diff --git a/doc/sphinx/reference/releasenotes/v3.1.md b/doc/sphinx/reference/releasenotes/v3.1.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5a91226488
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/sphinx/reference/releasenotes/v3.1.md
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+# Cantera 3.1.0b1
+
+Published on November 10, 2024 | [Full release on GitHub](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/releases/tag/v3.1.0b1)
+
+The Cantera development team is pleased to announce the availability of Cantera 3.1.0. There have been over [1400 commits](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/wiki/Cantera-3.1.0-Changelog) to Cantera since the last version, 3.0.0, which was released in August 2023. We have closed or merged [112 pull requests](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pulls?q=is%3Apr+merged%3A2023-08-23..2024-11-10+is%3Aclosed) and closed [75 issues](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues?q=is%3Aissue+closed%3A2023-08-23..2024-11-10+is%3Aclosed) and [23 enhancement proposals](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues?q=is:issue+closed:2023-08-23..2024-11-10+is:closed). Instructions for installing Cantera 3.1 are available on the [Cantera website](/install/index).
+
+## Highlights
+- Render [examples](/examples/python/index) using Sphinx-gallery ([#1621](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1621), [#1681](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1681), [#1724](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1724), [E#88](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/88))
+- Added visualizations of reactor networks; see [`mix1.py`](/examples/python/reactors/mix1) and [`reactor2.py`](/examples/python/reactors/reactor2) ([E#180](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/180), [#1624](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1624), [#1714](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1714), [#1792](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1792), [E#212](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/212))
+- Added ability to solve diffusion flames on the unstable branch using control of the temperature at two interior points; see [`diffusion_flame_continuation.py`](/examples/python/onedim/diffusion_flame_continuation) ([#1622](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1622), [#1779](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1779))
+- Added the [`linear-Burke`](sec-linear-Burke) reaction rate parameterization which models pressure-dependent reactions with collider-specific behavior; see [`shock_tube.py`](/examples/python/kinetics/shock_tube), [`jet_stirred_reactor.py`](/examples/python/kinetics/jet_stirred_reactor), and [`flame_speed.py`](/examples/python/onedim/flame_speed) ([E#157](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/157), [#1710](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1710), [#1801](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1801))
+- Major expansion of documentation for [contributing to Cantera](/develop/index) and [understanding its internal workings](/reference/onedim/index) ([E#25](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/25), [#1700](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1700), [#1757](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1757), [#1786](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1786))
+- Update website structure to keep all version-specific documentation together and simplify URLs ([E#145](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/145), [E#146](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/146), [#1631](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1631), [#1638](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1638), [#1647](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1647), [#1657](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1657), [#1657](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1657), [#1737](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1737), [#1766](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1766), [#1790](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1790))
+- Significant refactoring of the `clib` interface, which is now declared *experimental* and subject to API changes without receiving deprecation warnings. ([E#211](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/211), [E#199](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/199), [#1741](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1741), [#1752](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1752), [#1760](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1760), [#1769](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1769), [#1773](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1773), [#1780](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1780))
+
+## New features
+- Add electron collision reactions (C++ class {ct}`ElectronCollisionPlasmaRate`) based on cross section data from the LXCat database; see [`plasma.py`](/examples/python/reactors/plasma) ([#1262](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1262))
+- Added an example demonstrating a 1D packed-bed reactor; see [`1D_packed_bed.py`](/examples/python/reactors/1D_packed_bed) ([E#43](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/43))
+- Added option to compute diffusive fluxes using mass fraction gradients in the 1D solver ([E#195](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/195), [#1668](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1668))
+- Expose Peng-Robinson EoS parameters to Python interface ([#1664](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1664))
+- Created a new repository to clearly identify example input data and allow use of larger, more detailed mechanisms ([E#22](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/22), [#1689](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1689))
+- Add HDF5 support to PyPI packages ([E#205](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/205), ([#1727](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1727))
+- Add stack trace option to `CanteraError` for enhanced debugging ([#1730](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1730))
+- Enable cross compiling support without patches to simplify some package builds ([E#210](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/210), [#1749](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1749))
+- Add support for Python 3.12 ([#1604](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1604), [#1648](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1648), [#1716](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1716))
+- Add compatibility with SUNDIALS 7.0 ([#1672](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1672))
+- Add compatibility with NumPy 2.0 ([#1706](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1706), [#1713](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1713))
+- Support compilation in C++20 mode ([#1739](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1739))
+- Automatically adjust temperature bounds for low-temperature flames ([#1684](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues/1684), [#1705](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1705))
+
+## Changes to existing capabilities
+- Refactored implementation of 1D flame governing equations ([#1595](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1595), [#1619](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1619))
+- Improvements to 1D solver logging ([#1660](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1660), [#1759](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1759))
+- Significant improvements to error messages reported when converting mechanisms using `ck2yaml` ([#1669](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1669), [#1736](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1736))
+- Improved handling of edge cases involving third body colliders and "duplicate" reactions ([#1696](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1696))
+- Improve distinction between selecting `none` and `default` transport models ([#1680](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues/1680), [#1705](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1705))
+- Improve error message for flames initialized with bad boundary conditions ([#1694](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues/1694), [#1705](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1705))
+- Disallow redundant flame grid specification ([#1693](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues/1693), [#1705](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1705))
+- Simplify YAML input for extensible interface reactions ([#1709](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1709))
+- Improve consistency of `Func1` API between Matlab and Python interfaces ([#1758](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1758), [#1798](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1798))
+- Use `Solution` objects to store reactor contents ([#1663](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1663), [#1685](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1685))
+- Move locks that prevent adding species to `ThermoPhase` objects that are in use from Python to C++ ([#1686](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1686))
+- Use Jinja templates in C# `sourcegen` ([#1785](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1785))
+- Update `ck2yaml` to use `argparse` ([#1616](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1616))
+- Make names generated for reactor network objects reproducible ([#1765](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1765))
+- Make generated sources and error messages deterministic ([#1804](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1804))
+- Remove features deprecated in Cantera 3.0. ([#1605](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1605))
+- Remove legacy Matlab toolbox ([E#196](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/196), [#1670](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1670), [#1688](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1688))
+- Remove `python_minimal` interface ([E#208](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/208), [#1745](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1745))
+- Expanded automated CI testing and other CI maintenance ([#1608](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1608), [#1612](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1612), [#1630](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1630), [#1652](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1652), [#1662](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1662), [#1671](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1671), [#1677](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1677), [#1703](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1703), [#1738](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1738), [#1752](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1752))
+- Various documentation updates ([#1618](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1618), [#1659](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1659), [#1702](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1702), [#1795](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1795), [#1803](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1803))
+- Various build system updates ([#1723](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1723), [#1746](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1746), [#1750](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1750), [#1755](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1755), [#1768](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1768), [#1782](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1782), [#1791](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1791), [E#209](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/209))
+- Fix some compiler warnings ([#1729](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1729))
+- Maintenance of the sdist / PyPI packages ([#1625](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1625), [#1708](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1708), [#1796](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1796))
+- Address some website accessibility issues ([E#41](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/41), [#1753](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1753))
+- Complete transition of the Python test suite to use `pytest` instead of the `unittest` module ([#1793](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1793))
+- Update generated `CMakeLists.txt` files ([#1742](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues/1742), [#1744](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1744))
+
+## Bugs fixed
+- Fix missing porosity in `PorousMediaBurner.py` ([#1617](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1617))
+- Fix various issues in the experimental Matlab toolbox and add missing functions ([#1586](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1586), [#1701](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1701), [#1761](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1761))
+- Fix converting surface mechanisms that use a separate thermo data file ([#1637](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1637))
+- Use midpoint properties for diffusion fluxes in 1D solver ([E#187](https://github.com/Cantera/enhancements/issues/187), [#1626](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1626))
+- Fix access to `Solution` report when using `with_units` ([#1650](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1650))
+- Prevent segfaults from accessing partially-constructed reactor objects ([#1661](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1661))
+- Fix setting diffusion flame initial guess from known data ([#1674](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues/1674), [#1705](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1705))
+- Fix issues with slicing `SolutionArray` ([#1725](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1725), [#1726](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1726))
+- Fix `yaml2ck` handling of multiline `note` fields and phases with no reactions ([#1733](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1733))
+- Fix a memory leak when reinitializing a reactor using the GMRES sparse solver ([#1732](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1732))
+- Fix YAML serialization of changes to reaction/species flags with default values that are normally omitted ([#1629](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues/1629), [#1740](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1740))
+- Fix serialization of `note` fields that can be erroneously interpreted as integers ([#1610](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues/1610), [#1740](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1740))
+- Fix YAML serialization of multiline strings ([#1695](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/issues/1695), [#1740](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1740))
+- Fix garbage collection-related segfault with `CustomRate` ([#1763](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1763))
+- Fix compatibility with SUNDIALS 6.0 and 6.1 ([#1774](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1774))
+- Fix overwriting and ordering of components when outputting `SolutionArray` to YAML ([#1775](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1775), [#1781](https://github.com/Cantera/cantera/pull/1781))
+
+## Contributors
diff --git a/interfaces/cython/cantera/ck2yaml.py b/interfaces/cython/cantera/ck2yaml.py
index c0f649399f..c3a754f72e 100644
--- a/interfaces/cython/cantera/ck2yaml.py
+++ b/interfaces/cython/cantera/ck2yaml.py
@@ -2055,7 +2055,7 @@ def write_yaml(self, name='gas', out_name='mech.yaml'):
             metadata = BlockMap([
                 ("generator", "ck2yaml"),
                 ("input-files", FlowList(self.files)),
-                ("cantera-version", "3.1.0a4"),
+                ("cantera-version", "3.1.0b1"),
                 ("date", formatdate(localtime=True)),
             ])
             if desc.strip():
diff --git a/interfaces/cython/cantera/cti2yaml.py b/interfaces/cython/cantera/cti2yaml.py
index 9c7d3703d9..f3f0e1c886 100644
--- a/interfaces/cython/cantera/cti2yaml.py
+++ b/interfaces/cython/cantera/cti2yaml.py
@@ -1661,7 +1661,7 @@ def convert(filename=None, output_name=None, text=None, encoding="latin-1"):
         # information regarding conversion
         metadata = BlockMap([
             ("generator", "cti2yaml"),
-            ("cantera-version", "3.1.0a4"),
+            ("cantera-version", "3.1.0b1"),
             ("date", formatdate(localtime=True)),
         ])
         if filename != "<string>":
diff --git a/interfaces/cython/cantera/ctml2yaml.py b/interfaces/cython/cantera/ctml2yaml.py
index bb9bd9ca3a..bd47d8de5a 100644
--- a/interfaces/cython/cantera/ctml2yaml.py
+++ b/interfaces/cython/cantera/ctml2yaml.py
@@ -2637,7 +2637,7 @@ def convert(
     metadata = BlockMap(
         {
             "generator": "ctml2yaml",
-            "cantera-version": "3.1.0a4",
+            "cantera-version": "3.1.0b1",
             "date": formatdate(localtime=True),
         }
     )