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Micro/Nano Sensors and Actuators for Biomedical Applications: Novel Materials, Innovative...
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Micro/Nano Sensors and Actuators for Biomedical Applications: Novel Materials, Innovative Designs, and Emerging Functions

A Special Issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X) belonging to the section "B: Biology and Biomedicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 3048

Editors

Dr. Zhongjing Ren

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Interests: smart materials and structures; shape memory alloys; soft robotics; chip scale spacecraft; solar sails
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ziran Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture, Ministry of Education, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
Interests: flexible wearable electronic devices in sensing detection, medical diagnosis, and other fields; biosensors based on two-dimensional material field effect transistors in the direction of disease diagnosis; micro-nanostructure and device (MEMS) processing and manufacturing technology; functional micro-nanostructure surface technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the forefront of micro/nano sensors and actuators, with an emphasis on three key dimensions: novel materials (e.g., 2D nanomaterials, bio‑inspired composites, and functional polymers), innovative designs (including flexible and integrated architectures for wearable and implantable systems), and emerging functions (such as self‑powered sensing, AI‑enhanced intelligence, and multifunctional integration). These advances target a broad spectrum of applications spanning healthcare, aerospace, environmental monitoring, and smart systems. By bridging fundamental research with practical innovation, this issue aims to accelerate the translation of micro/nano technologies from laboratory breakthroughs to societal impact.

We welcome submissions of full papers, reviews, and communications covering the design, modeling, fabrication, and experimental characterization of micro/nano sensors and actuators. Through this collection, the issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress and to foster the next generation of advancements in medical devices, micro robotics, flexible electronics, and related micro/nano systems.

Dr. Zhongjing Ren
Dr. Ziran Wang
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. Micromachines 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 2100 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

  • sensors
  • biosensors
  • micro/nano actuators
  • bio-inspired composites
  • field-effect transistor
  • gas sensors
  • integrated systems
  • flexible electronics
  • nanomaterials
  • aptamer-based biosensors
  • self-powered sensing
  • multifunctional integration

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 10850 KB  
Article
BAM-STR: A Bio-Inspired Soft Tensegrity Robot Driven by McKibben Pneumatic Artificial Muscles
by Yang Jiang, Xinyuan Yang, Zihao Zuo, Yunkai Chen, Shizhuo Zhang, Hong Jiang, Shaojie Gu and Yanhong Peng
Micromachines 2026, 17(7), 857; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17070857 - 17 Jul 2026
Viewed by 913
Abstract
Tensegrity structures have lightweight, compliant, impact-resistant, and large-deformation characteristics, providing a deformable structural solution for mobile robots in complex environments. Inspired by earthworm peristaltic locomotion, this study proposes BAM-STR, a soft tensegrity robot driven by McKibben pneumatic artificial muscles. The robot adopts a [...] Read more.
Tensegrity structures have lightweight, compliant, impact-resistant, and large-deformation characteristics, providing a deformable structural solution for mobile robots in complex environments. Inspired by earthworm peristaltic locomotion, this study proposes BAM-STR, a soft tensegrity robot driven by McKibben pneumatic artificial muscles. The robot adopts a three-layer, three-strut tensegrity structure, and the McKibben pneumatic artificial muscles are arranged at the diagonal and additional tendon positions to generate axial–radial coupled deformation under low-pressure actuation. A bio-inspired segmented peristaltic waveform control strategy is further designed. By sequentially activating and releasing the artificial muscles in the three tensegrity units, the robot generates an axially propagating deformation wave and achieves continuous forward crawling. Experimental results show that BAM-STR can achieve approximately 31% axial contraction and 21% radial expansion at an input pressure of 100kPa. When the control time interval is ΔT=1.0–1.25s, the robot reaches its maximum average crawling speed of approximately 6.5mm/s. Multi-scenario experiments further show that BAM-STR can adapt to channel widths ranging from 190 to 235mm, complete continuous crawling while carrying an additional payload of 200g, and maintain forward locomotion on a rough artificial grass surface. These results indicate that BAM-STR has path-width adaptability, load-carrying crawling capability, and rough-ground adaptability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro/Nano Sensors and Actuators for Biomedical Applications: Novel Materials, Innovative Designs, and Emerging Functions)
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19 pages, 7195 KB  
Article
Phototaxis and Motility of Euglena gracilis in Physiological Saline via Stepwise Acclimation for Biohybrid Microrobotics
by Kaiya Endo, Soshi Morimoto, Hayato Obayashi, Takayuki Shibata, Shunya Okamoto, Tuhin Subhra Santra and Moeto Nagai
Micromachines 2026, 17(7), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17070815 - 6 Jul 2026
Viewed by 518
Abstract
Microrobots navigating the human body require biocompatible actuators capable of functioning in physiological fluids. The microalga Euglena gracilis offers precise phototactic control; however, its operational stability in simulated physiological environments remains unproven. Here, we report that a stepwise acclimation process preserves the robotic [...] Read more.
Microrobots navigating the human body require biocompatible actuators capable of functioning in physiological fluids. The microalga Euglena gracilis offers precise phototactic control; however, its operational stability in simulated physiological environments remains unproven. Here, we report that a stepwise acclimation process preserves the robotic functionality of E. gracilis in 100% phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 100% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and a NaCl solution at a concentration equivalent to PBS (137 mM). We compared direct transfer against a graduated adaptation protocol, evaluating morphology, swimming speed, motility rate, and phototaxis. Direct transfer to each medium caused near-total immobilization, whereas stepwise acclimation retained motility. Acclimated cells exhibited size reduction (miniaturization) while maintaining their characteristic eccentricity. These adapted cells sustained a negative phototactic response among the remaining motile population, supporting optical controllability despite reduced swimming speed. These results indicate that stepwise acclimation allows E. gracilis to retain partial motility and phototactic controllability under simulated physiological saline conditions, and that the observed miniaturization and preserved photo-responsiveness may be useful features for future biohybrid microrobotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro/Nano Sensors and Actuators for Biomedical Applications: Novel Materials, Innovative Designs, and Emerging Functions)
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Review

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25 pages, 3691 KB  
Review
Toward the Advancement of Soft Pneumatic Rotary Actuators: A Comprehensive Design Review
by Ehsan Kiani Harchegani and Joško Valentinčič
Micromachines 2026, 17(5), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17050608 - 15 May 2026
Viewed by 1136
Abstract
The development of robotic systems that can operate safely and adaptively alongside humans requires actuators that combine compliance with reliable performance. Soft pneumatic rotary actuators (SPRAs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their inherent compliance, lightweight design, and capability to generate smooth [...] Read more.
The development of robotic systems that can operate safely and adaptively alongside humans requires actuators that combine compliance with reliable performance. Soft pneumatic rotary actuators (SPRAs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their inherent compliance, lightweight design, and capability to generate smooth rotational motion through elastic deformation. However, the diverse designs and performance characteristics of SPRAs make it challenging to identify optimal configurations for specific applications. This review comprehensively surveys current SPRAs, focusing on structural designs, materials, and fabrication methods. While SPRAs offer advantages such as reduced risk of injury and enhanced adaptability, significant challenges remain in optimizing torque output, rotational range, and durability. By comparing existing designs and highlighting open research challenges, this paper aims to guide the advancement of SPRAs, facilitating their integration into safe, effective robotic systems for industrial, medical, and wearable applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro/Nano Sensors and Actuators for Biomedical Applications: Novel Materials, Innovative Designs, and Emerging Functions)
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