Recent Advances in Sensing Technologies for Automation, Process and Structural Health Monitoring

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advancements in sensing technologies are reshaping automation, process and structural health monitoring, making the integration of intelligent sensing networks practical, feasible and scalable. These developments have far-reaching applications, enabling unprecedented levels of adaptability across industries.

These sensing technologies have made possible advancements in automation that would otherwise be impossible, leading to the development of autonomous systems such as drones for infrastructure inspection, robotics for precision tasks in hazardous environments, and wearable devices that provide real-time data on human performance. Sensing solutions are also revolutionizing how industrial processes are managed, monitored, and optimized, allowing for greater efficiency and reliability. Process monitoring has made it possible to achieve continuous, real-time oversight of complex operations. In manufacturing, they have facilitated the shift toward zero-defect production, enabling early detection of anomalies and reducing waste through data-driven decision-making. Beyond manufacturing, process monitoring solutions have become critical in sectors such as wastewater treatment, oil refineries, and energy production. It is now possible to accurately monitor flow rates, temperature fluctuations, and chemical compositions in real time, allowing operators to optimize processes, improve resource efficiency, and minimize environmental impacts. At the same time, the safety and resilience of aging infrastructure remains a pressing challenge, particularly in critical sectors such as aerospace, civil engineering, and transportation. Emerging sensing technologies, such as fiber optic sensors and guided wave systems, enable on-demand reliability assessments of structures, allowing stakeholders to detect damage early, optimize maintenance intervals, and extend asset remaining life. It is therefore possible to transition away from traditional manual inspection practices that are costly and time-consuming and promoting sustainability in infrastructure management (material optimization, reduced downtime, and improved safety).

Implementation of such approaches significantly contribute to recent sustainability goals by reducing environmental footprints (e.g., through lighter structures and energy-efficient systems), optimizing costs (e.g., maintenance scheduling, energy use, material waste minimization), and improving societal resilience and reliability. Sensors—ranging from fiber optic and micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)-based devices to smart materials that act as integrated sensors—offer higher sensitivity, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

This Special Issue invites contributions on the latest sensing technologies and frameworks for efficient monitoring of processes and structures across multiple sectors. We seek state-of-the-art sensing solutions, smart materials with embedded sensing capabilities, novel signal processing algorithms, and cross-disciplinary case studies that demonstrate practical implementation in real scale problems. Submissions focusing on real-world applications and their implications for sustainability, resilience, and Industry 4.0 are particularly encouraged. Potential topics include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Intelligent Sensor Networks
• Internet of Things (IoT) Enabled Sensing Solutions
• Embedded and Energy-Efficient Sensors
• Multi-Sensor Data Fusion
• Smart Materials with Integrated Sensing Elements
• Predictive Maintenance and Condition Assessment
• Probabilistic Methods, Deep Learning and Signal Processing for Uncertainty Quantification and Propagation
• Fiber Optic Sensors
• Damage Detection and Imaging Algorithms
• Reliability and Safety Engineering
• Guided Waves for Structural and Process Monitoring
• Acoustic and Temperature Sensors

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Dr. Ilias Giannakeas
Guest Editor

Dr. Yingwu Li
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

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• intelligent sensor networks
• Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensing solutions
• embedded and energy-efficient sensors
• multi-sensor data fusion
• smart materials with integrated sensing elements
• predictive maintenance and condition assessment
• probabilistic methods, deep learning, and signal processing for uncertainty quantification and propagation
• optical fiber and fiber Bragg grating sensors
• damage detection and imaging algorithms
• reliability and safety engineering
• guided waves for structural and process monitoring
• acoustic and temperature sensors