Integrated Biosensors in Flexible Electronics, Wearables, and Beyond

Dear Colleagues,

Integrated biosensors, a synergistic integration of biosensing principles, flexible electronics, and advanced material science, have emerged as a transformative force in modern healthcare, environmental monitoring, and human–machine interaction. These next-generation biosensing systems break free from the constraints of traditional rigid devices, featuring exceptional flexibility, skin conformability, and seamless integration with wearable platforms—enabling real-time, non-invasive, and continuous detection of biological signals and analytes in dynamic scenarios. Their unique ability to merge high sensing accuracy with mechanical adaptability has positioned them at the forefront of interdisciplinary research, bridging the gap between fundamental science and practical applications.

In recent years, the field of integrated biosensors in flexible electronics and wearables has witnessed unprecedented advancements, driven by cross-disciplinary innovations in materials engineering, microfabrication, and data processing. Novel flexible substrate materials, such as conductive hydrogels, stretchable polymers, and smart textiles, have been developed to enhance device biocompatibility and mechanical robustness, allowing for long-term, unobtrusive wearability. Breakthroughs in microfabrication techniques have enabled the miniaturization and integration of biosensing modules, signal transduction units, and wireless communication components into ultra-thin, lightweight devices—such as skin-like "electronic tattoos" and fabric-based sensors—that can conform to irregular body surfaces or complex environments. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms has further optimized signal processing, improving the sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexing capability of these biosensors, particularly in point-of-care diagnostics and personalized health monitoring.

The application potential of integrated biosensors spans a wide range of emerging fields, with wearables being the most prominent and rapidly evolving domain. In personalized healthcare, these biosensors enable real-time monitoring of physiological indicators—including glucose, lactate, cortisol, and heart rate variability—facilitating proactive health management and early disease warning in areas from diabetes care to stress assessment. In environmental sensing, flexible integrated biosensors offer portable, on-site detection of harmful analytes, heavy metals, and pathogens, addressing critical needs in environmental protection and public health surveillance. Beyond wearables, these biosensors are also being explored for use in implantable medical devices, soft robotics, and smart textiles, where their flexibility and integration capabilities unlock new possibilities for human–machine interaction and adaptive monitoring systems. Notably, recent innovations such as autonomous sweat-induction biosensing textiles and drift-free stretchable sensors have further expanded their practical utility in real-world scenarios.

Despite these remarkable advancements, significant challenges remain that hinder the widespread commercialization and clinical adoption of integrated biosensors. Current devices often face trade-offs between mechanical flexibility, sensing stability, and long-term biocompatibility; for example, signal drift under mechanical strain or temperature fluctuations remains a critical bottleneck for wearable applications. Additionally, issues such as data security and privacy protection, high production costs, and inconsistent industry standards limit their scalability and interoperability across different platforms. There is an urgent demand for innovative solutions that address these limitations, including novel material designs, advanced integration strategies, and robust data management systems, to unlock the full potential of integrated biosensors in flexible electronics and beyond.

For this Special Issue, we invite you to contribute original research articles, comprehensive review papers, and perspective pieces that advance the state of the art in integrated biosensors. We encourage submissions that focus on areas including, but not limited to, novel material development for flexible biosensors (e.g., conductive hydrogels, nanocomposites, smart textiles), innovative microfabrication and integration techniques, advanced signal transduction and data processing methods (including AI integration), and cutting-edge applications in wearables, implantable devices, environmental sensing, and soft robotics. We also welcome submissions that address key challenges such as sensing stability, biocompatibility, scalability, and data privacy, as well as future trends and emerging directions in the field.

Our goal is to showcase a diverse collection of high-quality research from around the world, covering the entire spectrum of integrated biosensors in flexible electronics and wearables. By bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives and cutting-edge findings, this Special Issue aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the current advancements, remaining challenges, and future opportunities in the field. We believe this collection will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovations that push the boundaries of integrated biosensing technology.

We eagerly anticipate your valuable contributions, which will undoubtedly enrich this Special Issue and drive the continued advancement of integrated biosensors in flexible electronics, wearables, and beyond.

Prof. Dr. Jie Du
Dr. Huawen Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biosensors is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• integrated biosensors
• flexible electronics
• wearable biosensors
• flexible substrate materials
• microfabrication techniques
• signal transduction
• artificial intelligence integration
• personalized healthcare monitoring
• environmental sensing
• smart textiles