Functional Surfaces and Interfaces for Flexible Electronics
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Smart Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 April 2026 | Viewed by 57
Special Issue Editors
Interests: superhydrophobic surface; semiconductor materials and devices; flexible electronics
Interests: superhydrophobic surface; semiconductor materials and devices; flexible electronics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Flexible electronics are rapidly advancing fields like wearable devices, healthcare monitoring, and soft robotics. The performance and reliability of these devices are critically dependent on the structure and properties of their functional surfaces and interfaces. The primary aim of research in this field is to develop novel surfaces and interfaces with tailored electrical, mechanical, and biological properties to enhance the functionality and reliability of flexible electronic systems.
Research has evolved from developing basic flexible substrates to creating sophisticated, multifunctional surfaces, driven by progress in micro/nanofabrication, surface chemistry, and advanced material integration. Recent breakthroughs in functional surfaces for flexible electronics include the development of self-healing and highly stretchable conductive surfaces, bio-inspired adhesives, and seamlessly integrated bio-interfaces for long-term physiological monitoring and human–machine interaction.
This Special Issue aims to gather and showcase the latest cutting-edge research on functional surfaces for flexible electronics, from fundamental material design and synthesis to device application and system integration. We welcome contributions that elucidate how functional surfaces in flexible electronics—through novel mechanisms, fabrication routes, advanced characterization, and application level demonstrations—dictate performance, reliability, and multifunctionality across wearable, biomedical, energy, and soft robotic platforms.
We invite submissions of original research articles and comprehensive reviews that advance the science and engineering of functional surfaces for flexible electronics. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Stretchable and conformable conductors;
- Micro- and nanoscale surface-structure design and patterning;
- Electronic skin and multidimensional wearable sensors;
- Surface-driven energy harvesting and on-site energy-storage interfaces;
- Bio-inspired, self-healing, or stimuli-responsive coatings;
- Interfacial adhesion, encapsulation, and long-term reliability under mechanical load;
- Scalable surface-patterning and additive manufacturing techniques;
- Optically active, photonic, or light-modulating surfaces for flexible optoelectronics.
Dr. Ziyi Dai
Dr. Ming Lei
Dr. Feng Xia
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 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. Materials 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 2600 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
- stretchable conductors
- wearable sensors
- interfacial adhesion
- scalable surface
- flexible optoelectronics
- surface-structure design and patterning
- energy harvesting
- on-site energy-storage interfaces
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
