Flexible and Wearable Self-Powered Sensor Materials for Vibration Monitoring in Mechanical Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The growing demand for intelligent mechanical systems, smart manufacturing, and predictive maintenance has accelerated the development of advanced vibration monitoring technologies capable of operating in complex and dynamic environments. Conventional vibration sensors, while effective in fixed industrial settings, often face limitations related to rigidity, external power requirements, limited conformability, and reduced performance under large deformation or long-term operation. In response, flexible and wearable self-powered sensors have emerged as promising alternatives for next-generation mechanical monitoring systems.

Recent advances in flexible electronics, nanomaterials, triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators, and wearable sensing platforms have enabled the development of lightweight, stretchable, and energy-autonomous devices capable of real-time vibration detection. These technologies offer significant opportunities for applications in rotating machinery diagnostics, structural health monitoring, soft robotics, aerospace systems, automotive engineering, and human–machine interfaces.

Despite rapid progress, several important scientific and technological challenges remain unresolved. Key issues include improving the sensitivity and stability of self-powered sensing materials under complex mechanical conditions; achieving reliable operation under cyclic loading, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical fatigue; enhancing signal selectivity and noise suppression; integrating energy harvesting and sensing functions within compact device architectures; and developing scalable, low-cost fabrication methods suitable for industrial deployment. In addition, the integration of artificial intelligence, wireless communication, and IoT technologies presents new opportunities for autonomous and intelligent vibration monitoring systems.

This Topic aims to provide an interdisciplinary platform for researchers working on innovative materials, device structures, sensing mechanisms, and intelligent monitoring strategies for flexible and wearable self-powered vibration/motion sensors.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Flexible, stretchable, and wearable vibration sensors;
• Self-powered sensing systems and nanogenerators;
• Piezoelectric, triboelectric, and hybrid energy harvesting materials;
• MXenes, graphene, conductive polymers, nanocomposites, and multifunctional materials;
• Soft electronics and smart textile-based sensing platforms;
• Structural health monitoring and machinery fault diagnosis;
• Predictive maintenance and real-time condition monitoring;
• AI-assisted signal processing and intelligent diagnostics;
• Wireless, IoT-enabled, and edge-computing sensing systems;
• Low-power and battery-free sensing technologies;
• Scalable manufacturing, printed electronics, and device integration;
• Durability, reliability, and environmental stability of flexible sensors;
• Human motion, biomechanical vibration, and human–machine interaction applications.

This Topic welcomes original research articles, communications, and review papers addressing both fundamental research and practical applications of next-generation flexible and wearable self-powered sensing technologies for vibration monitoring in mechanical systems.

Dr. Trilochan Bhatta
Dr. Puran Pandey
Topic Editors