Innovations in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Integrating Smart Systems, Advanced Materials, and Ergonomics for Next-Generation PPE
A special issue of Inventions (ISSN 2411-5134). This special issue belongs to the section "Inventions and Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2026 | Viewed by 27
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We would like to invite submissions to this Special Issue on the subject of “Innovations in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Integrating Smart Systems, Advanced Materials, and Ergonomics for Next-Generation PPE”.
The landscape of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is undergoing a profound transformation, evolving from conventional protective barriers to embrace intelligent, interconnected, and sustainable solutions. This evolution is not merely a response to emerging hazards, but is actively shaped by the symbiotic relationship between technological breakthroughs and stringent regulatory frameworks.
The impetus for rapid innovation stems from the need to address increasingly complex and multi-faceted hazards prevalent in modern work environments, such as the exposure to novel pathogens, extreme temperatures, or dynamic mechanical risks. Cutting-edge technologies, including smart fabrics, integrated wearable sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and nanotechnology, are fundamentally redefining the capabilities of protective equipment. These innovations are not only improving safety and functionality, but are also significantly enhancing situational awareness for wearers.
From this perspective, the target of this Special Issue is to contribute to advancements in PPE technology by showcasing innovative technical developments, reviews, case studies, and analytics, as well as assessments and manuscripts, targeting different disciplines relevant to next-generation PPE.
This Special Issue is particularly interested in the following research directions and PPE types:
- Smart and connected PPE systems: Environmental monitoring, predictive analytics, and enhanced situational awareness, specifically focusing on smart helmets, specialized gloves with integrated sensors, and smart protective garments.
- Advanced functional materials: Papers detailing breakthroughs in nanotechnology applications (especially graphene for multi-functional textiles, and nanofibers for filtration), Shear Thickening Fluids (STFs) for impact protection, and Phase Change Materials (PCMs) for thermal regulation in protective clothing.
- Sustainable PPE solutions: Research on biodegradable polymers, reusable PPE designs, self-decontaminating fabrics, and innovative recycling/upcycling methods for PPE waste. This research will address the critical need for environmentally responsible protective gear.
- Ergonomics and human-centered design: Studies on virtual ergonomics, digital human models for PPE design optimization, and technologies enabling personalized and custom-fit PPE, including research on how improved comfort and fit directly influence worker compliance and safety outcomes.
- Next-generation respiratory protection: Submissions focusing on advanced filter media, novel fit testing technologies (especially real-time feedback systems), and enhanced CBRN respirators.
- Patent landscape analysis: Submissions exploring the patent landscape of PPE innovation, providing a robust, data-driven understanding of technological hotspots and white spaces, R&D priorities and strategies, global innovation trends, and the evolution of foundational PPE inventions.
Dr. Regan Watts
Guest Editor
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Inventions is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 1800 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.
Keywords
- personal protective equipment
- smart and connected systems
- advanced functional materials
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