Innovations in Smart Materials for Soft Robotics and Adaptive Systems
A special issue of Eng (ISSN 2673-4117). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 14
Special Issue Editor
Interests: smart materials; conductive gels; soft robotics and electronics; surgical simulation; polymer-metal nanocomposites
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Recent advances in smart materials are driving innovation in soft robotics and adaptive systems, enabling technologies that can sense, respond, and reconfigure in dynamic environments. This Special Issue invites contributions on the design, fabrication, and integration of advanced functional materials, with emphasis on their role in adaptability, multifunctionality, and human–machine interaction.
Topics of interest include conductive polymers and gels, nanocomposites, electroactive polymers, and stimuli-responsive materials, as well as their application in soft robots, adaptive actuators, wearable and assistive technologies, and biomedical devices. Regarding healthcare, we also welcome studies on patient-specific phantoms, anatomically realistic models, and smart materials for implantable devices, tissue engineering, and wearable health monitoring.
Key challenges remain in combining multifunctionality, sustainability, and scalability without compromising performance. We particularly encourage contributions on eco-friendly materials, biodegradable composites, green manufacturing, and additive manufacturing—including 3D and emerging 4D printing.
Future directions involve multi-stimulus perception, self-powered and self-healing systems, and the AI-driven discovery and optimization of materials; these will pave the way for digital twins, intelligent control, and next-generation adaptive robotic and biomedical platforms.
Dr. Lorenzo Migliorini
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- smart materials
- adaptive systems
- soft robotics
- wearable electronics
- multifunctional sensors
- human–machine interfaces
- biomedical devices
- anatomical phantoms
- 3D and 4D printing
- artificial intelligence
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