Photoresponsive Molecules and Materials for Sensing: Design and Applications
A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Sensors".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 7
Special Issue Editors
Interests: supramolecular science; modeling; molecular machines; quantum beams; biomaterials; optical switches; guest-host interactions; DNA; nanomaterials; optical properties
Interests: photo
Interests: medicine
Interests: molecular dynamics; quantum chemistry; solution thermodynamics; chemical physics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Photoresponsive functional molecules and materials are rapidly gaining attention as versatile components for next-generation sensors. By exploiting reversible photochemical reactions, such as isomerization, ring-opening/closing, or electron transfer, these systems can convert light stimuli into tunable optical, electrical, or structural responses. Molecules including azobenzenes, diarylethenes, spiropyrans, and related photochromic materials enable non-invasive, spatially and temporally controllable sensing mechanisms. Recent advances in molecular design, supramolecular assembly, and hybrid nanomaterials have expanded their potential in optical, electrochemical, and mechanoresponsive sensor platforms. This Special Issue aims to highlight interdisciplinary progress connecting molecular photochemistry, materials engineering, and device physics toward the development of intelligent, adaptive, and energy-efficient sensors. Topics include photo-switchable interfaces; light-activated coatings; bioinspired sensing architectures; and integrated photonic systems for environmental, biomedical, and wearable applications. By bridging chemistry and device technology, this issue seeks to inspire new directions in light-controlled sensing science.
Prof. Dr. Shinichiro Nakamura
Prof. Dr. Kingo Uchida
Prof. Dr. Satoshi Yokojima
Guest Editors
Dr. Junwei Shen
Guest Editor Assistant
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Keywords
- photoresponsive materials
- molecular photoswitches
- near-field optics
- photochromic sensors
- light-activated sensing
- smart coatings and interfaces
- optical and electrochemical transduction
- biomedical and biosensing applications
- photo-controlled drug monitoring
- environmental and security sensing
- adaptive and wearable sensors
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