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Next-Generation Flexible and Tactile Sensors: Materials, Mechanisms, and Applications

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensors and Robotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 757

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Information Science and Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China
Interests: micro-/nanodevices; opto-electronic devices; nanophotonic devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Flexible and tactile sensors are among the most vital constituents in the field of soft electronics and intelligent systems. They allow machines to distinguish and respond to external stimuli, be it touch, strain, or vibrations, and facilitate interaction between machines and people. Compared to their rigid counterparts, flexible and tactile sensors are more advantageous because of their flexibility, stretchability, and conformability, allowing integration with complex or dynamic surfaces. These characteristics have enabled them to be used in the soft robotics industry and wearable technology for health monitoring and human–robot interaction. Recently, designed next-generation flexible sensors have garnered the most attention and focus due to their increase in high sensitivity, broad sensing ranges, and increased mechanical flexibility. Furthermore, the field has expanded in scope due to the design and integration of new devices, advanced composites, novel sensing strategies, and innovative approaches to passive and active sensing.

This Special Issue considers the development of next-generation flexible tactile sensors in materials, mechanisms, and applications to be of great importance to the cross-disciplinary integration of ideas in the current phase of this evolving research field. Both original research and review articles are highly welcome.

Prof. Dr. Song Gao
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • flexible sensors
  • tactile sensors
  • soft electronics
  • soft robotics
  • wearable electronics
  • health monitoring
  • human–robot interaction

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 3422 KB  
Article
Improved Pressure Sensing Performance of Self-Powered Electrochemical Pressure Sensor Using a Simple Electrode Coplanar Structure
by Yixue Han, Zaihua Duan, Yi Wang, Weidong Chen, Di Liu, Zhen Yuan, Yadong Jiang and Huiling Tai
Sensors 2026, 26(2), 699; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26020699 - 21 Jan 2026
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 513
Abstract
In recent years, electrochemical pressure (ECP) sensors with self-powered and both dynamic and static pressure detection capabilities have received widespread attention. To improve pressure sensing performances while reducing the thickness of conventional sandwich structure ECP sensors, we propose an ECP sensor with a [...] Read more.
In recent years, electrochemical pressure (ECP) sensors with self-powered and both dynamic and static pressure detection capabilities have received widespread attention. To improve pressure sensing performances while reducing the thickness of conventional sandwich structure ECP sensors, we propose an ECP sensor with a simple electrode coplanar structure. Specifically, it consists of Cu/Zn foil electrodes and LiCl/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) modified filter paper. Among them, the Cu/Zn coplanar electrodes are used for redox reactions, the LiCl provides conductive ions, and the PVA is used to provide a humid environment to promote the ionization and conduction of LiCl. The rough surface microstructure of the filter paper is used to enhance the pressure sensing performances of the sensor. The results show that the ECP sensor with an electrode coplanar structure can spontaneously output current in the pressure range of 0.4–100 kPa, with sensitivities of 0.273 kPa−1 (0.6–20 kPa) and 0.036 kPa−1 (20–100 kPa). Specifically, compared to ECP sensors with a sandwich structure, it has a wider response range and higher sensitivity. Through the current response, morphological characterizations, and redox reactions, the pressure sensing mechanism is elucidated. Furthermore, the proposed ECP sensor can be used for respiratory state recognition combined with machine learning. This research provides a new approach for developing a high-performance ECP sensor with a simple electrode coplanar structure. Full article
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