Recent Advances in Electronic Skins and Self-Powered Flexible Sensors for Wearable Applications
A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Electronic Sensors".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2025 | Viewed by 14
Special Issue Editors
Interests: flexible electronics; e-skin; novel sensing mechanisms; advanced fabrication techniques for flexible circuits; health monitoring; robotic sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: fiber/fabric-based sensors; patch-based sensors; gas sensors; electrochemical sensors; pressure/vibration sensors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: wearable electronics; soft energy; ionogel; stretchable electronics; textile electronics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The rapid evolution of wearable technology has driven groundbreaking innovations in various flexible sensors, enabling their transformative applications in healthcare, robotics, human–machine interfaces, etc. Recent advances in materials science, nano/micro-fabrication, and energy conversion technologies have provided these devices with unprecedented sensitivity, durability, and intelligence, making them highly effective for next-generation wearable devices.
A key breakthrough lies in the development of sensitive materials and mechanisms that mimic the mechanical and sensory characteristics of human skin. This has led to the production of skin-like wearable sensors capable of monitoring the evolution of pressure, temperature, strain, and various health-related biomarkers in real time. Innovations such as the development of graphene-based nanocomposites, conductive hydrogels, and stretchable polymer matrices have enhanced flexibility while maintaining effective electrical responses. Additionally, custom designed sensing mechanisms, e.g., biomimetic microstructures, crack-enhanced sensitivities, and specially engineered material interfaces, provide such devices with significantly enhanced sensitivities to imperceptible signal changes.
Further, this field has attracted increasing scholarly attention via introducing various self-powered sensing mechanisms, which eliminate the need for external batteries and power supplies. For example, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) and piezoelectric materials, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), convert mechanical energy from body movements or environmental vibrations into electrical signals, powering sensors in real time. Additionally, photovoltaic and thermoelectric mechanisms can be applied, targeting solar energy and heat and ensuring continuous operation under diverse conditions. Furthermore, increasing scientific attention has been paid to developing galvanic cell-type self-powered sensory devices.
Advances in system integration have further enhanced wearability and functionality. Flexible printed circuits and wireless communication modules now enable seamless data transmission to smartphones or cloud platforms, facilitating real-time health monitoring. AI algorithms are increasingly embedded to process complex sensor data, enabling the early diagnosis, prediction, and therapeutic treatment of diseases, e.g., diabetes. This has facilitated the advancement of flexible and wearable sensors with high integrity and intelligence.
In this Special Issue, we will publish original research and review articles on the recent development of electronic skins and self-powered sensors. Manuscripts addressing innovations in the application of novel materials, custom sensing mechanisms, the design of sensor architectures, breakthroughs in performance, and device functionalities are all welcome.
Dr. Wen Cheng
Dr. Zifeng Wang
Dr. Mengmeng Liu
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- flexible electronics
- electronic Skins (e-skin)
- self-powered sensors
- wearable technology
- flexible Sensors
- nano/micro-fabrication
- novel materials
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