Gel-Based Materials for Sensing and Monitoring
A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1063
Special Issue Editor
Interests: novel two-dimensional materials; point-of-care detection; energy conversion; electrochemistry; aerogels; smart gels
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Gel-based materials, characterized by their high-water content and cross-linked polymer networks, offer a combination of flexibility, responsiveness, and biocompatibility that makes them ideal candidates for a range of sensing and monitoring applications. Their soft, stretchable, and often self-healing nature enables their integration into wearable devices, implantable sensors, and environmental monitoring systems, addressing critical challenges in healthcare, robotics, and sustainability.
Despite their significant potential, gel-based materials for sensing and monitoring face several challenges that hinder their widespread adoption. One major issue is the trade-off between mechanical strength and functionality, as many gels struggle to maintain structural integrity under repeated stress while retaining their sensing capabilities. Additionally, achieving long-term stability and durability over extended periods or in varying conditions remains a critical hurdle. Furthermore, the integration of gel-based sensors with advanced technologies such as AI and IoT for real-time monitoring and data analysis presents technical challenges.
Addressing the above-mentioned challenges requires innovative material design, advanced manufacturing methods, and interdisciplinary collaboration to unlock the full potential of gel-based sensing technologies. Within this topic, we aim to share up-to-date strategies in the design, structure control, and large-scale synthesis of innovative gel materials, with tailored properties for specific applications. Topics cover gel-based sensors for physiological and environmental monitoring, including wearable health devices, implantable sensors, and smart detectors. It explores stimuli-responsive gels (e.g., to temperature, pH, and stress), self-healing and stretchable gels for durability, and addresses challenges in fabrication, electronics integration, biocompatibility, and scalability, offering a comprehensive overview of the field’s progress and future directions.
Dr. Xiao Li
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- gel-based materials
- wearable sensors
- stimuli-responsive gels
- self-healing materials
- biocompatibility
- real-time monitoring
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