Advanced Materials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Flexible and wearable electronics are rapidly transforming the landscape of next-generation technologies, enabling seamless integration of electronic systems with the human body, textiles, and soft environments. Advances in materials science have been central to this progress, particularly in the development of flexible, stretchable, and biocompatible materials that enable reliable sensing, actuation, energy harvesting, and data transmission in dynamic conditions. This Topic aims to bring together recent advances in materials, device architectures, and system integration strategies that support the development of flexible and wearable electronic technologies.

We welcome contributions that explore innovative materials, such as conductive polymers, nanomaterials, hydrogels, elastomers, and hybrid composites, as well as fabrication techniques such as additive manufacturing, printing technologies, and scalable manufacturing approaches.

The Topic will highlight research addressing wearable sensors for health monitoring, soft robotics and artificial muscles, electronic textiles, flexible energy storage and harvesting systems, and biointegrated electronic devices. Emphasis will be placed on materials reliability, mechanical durability, biocompatibility, and system-level integration required for real-world deployment. By bringing together interdisciplinary contributions from materials science, bioengineering, electronics, and healthcare technologies, this Topic aims to provide a platform for showcasing emerging innovations that will shape the future of wearable and flexible electronic systems.

Prof. Dr. Javad Foroughi
Prof. Dr. Yan Wang
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Biosensors biosensors	6.2	12.1	2011	17.3 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
Electronic Materials electronicmat	-	3.7	2020	21.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Materials materials	3.7	7.0	2008	14.4 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Micromachines micromachines	3.5	7.1	2010	16.6 Days	CHF 2100	Submit
Nanomaterials nanomaterials	4.8	10.3	2010	12.5 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Polymers polymers	5.8	11.0	2009	13.4 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Sci sci	4.1	5.4	2019	28.2 Days	CHF 1400	Submit
Sensors sensors	4.0	9.4	2001	17.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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All Electronic Materials Materials Nanomaterials Polymers Sensors Sci Biosensors Micromachines

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18 pages, 3781 KB  

Open AccessArticle

A Sustainable Natural-Rubber IoT Smart Insole for Remote Body-Load Monitoring: An Observational Gait Comparison in Flexible Flatfoot

by Prachid Saramolee, Praphatson Sengsoon, Sarawuth Chaimool, Khamphong Khongsomboon, Jakrawat Budboonchu and Siraporn Sakphrom

Sensors 2026, 26(18), 5687; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26185687 - 8 Sep 2026

Viewed by 312

Abstract

Flexible flatfoot (pes planus) alters lower-limb biomechanics and plantar-pressure distribution, raising the risk of pain and injury. Laboratory gait analysis with optical motion capture and force plates is the reference standard but is costly, space-constrained, and ecologically limited. We present the design, fabrication, [...] Read more.

Flexible flatfoot (pes planus) alters lower-limb biomechanics and plantar-pressure distribution, raising the risk of pain and injury. Laboratory gait analysis with optical motion capture and force plates is the reference standard but is costly, space-constrained, and ecologically limited. We present the design, fabrication, and validation of a low-cost, sustainable smart insole for Internet-of-Things (IoT) remote body-load monitoring. The device pairs a dual-layer natural-rubber body—a silica-filled sponge–rubber upper for comfort and a carbon-black-reinforced solid outsole for durability—with four load cells per insole at high-pressure plantar landmarks, read through a 24-bit amplifier by an ESP32 that calibrates and streams left/right load over Wi-Fi to the ThingSpeak cloud, with a wrist-worn OLED for real-time feedback. Against reference weights in 25 participants, the system measured total body weight with a mean absolute error of 2.94%, a maximum error of 4.18%, and an RMSE of 1.94 kg (Pearson r = 0.99); the residual was an almost purely systematic proportional bias (slope 0.966, R² = 0.98) removable by a single in-sample scalar recalibration. In 30 adults (15 normal-arch; 15 flexible flatfoot), spatiotemporal gait parameters were compared while both groups wore the smart insole. Forward-progression parameters, including step length, stride length, and walking velocity, did not differ significantly between groups during comfortable walking (all p > 0.18). The flatfoot group showed a wider mediolateral base—greater stance width during standing (+14%, p = 0.008) and step width during comfortable walking (+23%, p = 0.040, uncorrected). After correction for multiple comparisons, only the reduction in fast-walking cadence remained statistically significant. A sustainably sourced, affordable smart insole can thus deliver clinically meaningful remote body-load monitoring. The findings also point to a dissociation: forward propulsion was comparable between the groups while the insole was worn, whereas the mediolateral base remained wider in flatfoot. Controlled trials pairing orthotic support with active gait retraining are therefore warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Materials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics)

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26 pages, 10711 KB  

Open AccessArticle

A Flexible Wearable Multisensing Patch Integrating SWCNT-PtNPs Nanocomposites for Non-Invasive Clinical Biomarkers Monitoring in Sweat

by Lucian-Gabriel Zamfir, Petru Epure, Ioana Cătălina Gîfu, Iuliana Răut, Mariana Constantin, Cristina Firincă, Nicoleta-Olguța Corneli, Mihaela Doni and Ana-Maria Gurban

Polymers 2026, 18(17), 2150; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18172150 - 2 Sep 2026

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Abstract

The integration of enzyme-loaded polymeric matrices with carbon-based nanomaterials and metallic nanoparticles into wearable multisensing patches, coupled with miniaturized portable detection devices, enables real-time, highly sensitive, and simultaneous monitoring of key clinical biomarkers (e.g., glucose, lactate, and H₂O₂) in [...] Read more.

The integration of enzyme-loaded polymeric matrices with carbon-based nanomaterials and metallic nanoparticles into wearable multisensing patches, coupled with miniaturized portable detection devices, enables real-time, highly sensitive, and simultaneous monitoring of key clinical biomarkers (e.g., glucose, lactate, and H₂O₂) in clinical and point-of-care applications. Multiplex biosensors were fabricated by modifying screen-printed carbon paste electrodes (SPEs) with different composite nanomaterials based on carbon nanomaterials such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), or fullerenol (FL), the redox mediator Prussian Blue, and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs). Chitosan and sol–gel polymer matrices were used to immobilize the enzymes glucose oxidase (GOx) and lactate oxidase (LOx), thus ensuring not only increased sensitivity and operational stability, but also high specificity for biomarker detection (glucose and lactate). Among the nanomaterials used for the development of multiplex biosensors, the SWCNT-PtNP composite was highlighted by electrochemical studies as having a significantly superior electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of H₂O₂. This reaction occurs at a low applied potential of only −0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl, achieving a specific sensitivity of 224.6 mA·M⁻¹·cm⁻², over a concentration range of 0.07 to 28.26 mM, and a detection limit of 3.2 μM. When functionalized with enzymes, SWCNT-PtNP-based biosensors exhibit improved conductivity, allowing the detection of glucose and lactate at a potential of −0.05 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The specific sensitivities obtained are 20.25 mA·M⁻¹·cm⁻² for glucose and 94.76 mA·M⁻¹·cm⁻² for lactate, and the corresponding detection limits are 23.6 μM and 5.0 μM, respectively. Finally, a wearable patch integrating the multiplex (bio)sensor with a portable potentiostat enabled simultaneous, sensitive, and selective detection of glucose, lactate, and H₂O₂ in sweat samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Materials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics)

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16 pages, 3436 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Photo-Patternable Organic Electrochemical Transistors with Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Bulk Heterojunction Enabled by Ethylene Glycol-Based Photo-Crosslinker

by Gu-Hao Cai, Yun-Cheng Guo, Sin-Rong Huang, Po-Hsiang Fang and Jung-Yao Chen

Polymers 2026, 18(17), 2057; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18172057 - 25 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) utilize ion injections to regulate the overall conductivity of the organic semiconductor channel, achieving high transconductance (g_m) by coupling ionic and electronic charge carriers within the whole channel’s volume. However, the slow ion migration rate through [...] Read more.

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) utilize ion injections to regulate the overall conductivity of the organic semiconductor channel, achieving high transconductance (g_m) by coupling ionic and electronic charge carriers within the whole channel’s volume. However, the slow ion migration rate through the hydrophobic semiconducting polymer layer restricts the response rate of the device for widespread applications in biomedical sensing. This work introduced poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) bisazide photo-crosslinking agent into the p-type semiconducting polymers as a hydrophilic active channel in accumulated-mode OECTs. Upon incorporation of PEG segments into conjugated polymers via photolithography, the resulting OECTs exhibit a significant enhancement in both µC* product and doping/de-doping dynamics by at least one order of magnitude. The photo-patterning of an ion-conducting semiconductor channel with a minimum line gap of 5 µm enables the fabrication of a depletion-mode inverter. This study presents a straightforward patterning process that enhances the hydrophilicity of various hydrophobic conjugated polymers while eliminating the need for complex synthesis procedures typically required for introducing ethylene glycol side chains on conjugated polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Materials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics)

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15 pages, 4558 KB  

Open AccessArticle

A Flexible Capacitive Pressure Sensor with Broad-Range High Sensitivity Based on 3D Porous Ionogel for Wearable Health Monitoring

by Yi Chen, Xuedan Xie, Yonghua Wang and Dan Liu

Micromachines 2026, 17(8), 983; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17080983 - 20 Aug 2026

Viewed by 293

Abstract

Flexible pressure sensors featuring high sensitivity, a broad detection range, and excellent stability are pivotal components for high-precision electronic skins and human health monitoring. To circumvent the limitations of existing sensors in maintaining high responsiveness across extensive pressure ranges, herein, a novel flexible [...] Read more.

Flexible pressure sensors featuring high sensitivity, a broad detection range, and excellent stability are pivotal components for high-precision electronic skins and human health monitoring. To circumvent the limitations of existing sensors in maintaining high responsiveness across extensive pressure ranges, herein, a novel flexible capacitive pressure sensor is developed based on a 3D porous ionogel foam composite (IL/EG/PVA@MF) coupled with a planar electrode array. This device leverages the synergistic structural engineering of the 3D hyperelastic melamine foam (MF) skeleton and the pressure-regulated fringe-field distribution and iontronic interfacial polarization of the porous ionogel. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that the sensor achieves a high normalized sensitivity of 62.45 kPa⁻¹ (2–10 kPa) and maintains reliable piecewise linear sensing performance across a broad working range of 0–50 kPa, accompanied by a rapid response time of within 8 ms. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits outstanding performance consistency after 6000 compression-release cycles at 50 kPa, verifying its good mechanical durability. In practical applications, the device can monitor diverse physiological signals with high fidelity, ranging from subtle radial artery pulses to large-scale joint movements and specific coughing patterns, underscoring its broad potential for integrated wearable systems and intelligent healthcare. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Materials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics)

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12 pages, 8896 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Backbone Engineering of Polythiophenes via Quinoid and Cyano Dual Functionalization for n-Type Polymers

by Weipeng Sun, Yanlin Wei, Peng Wang, Dingqin Hu, Peng Dai, Wenge Zhang, Dian Zhang, Jianfeng Li, Yongqiang Shi and Xugang Guo

Polymers 2026, 18(15), 1900; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18151900 - 3 Aug 2026

Viewed by 406

Abstract

Developing high-performance n-type polymer semiconductors is hindered by the scarcity of strong electron-deficient building blocks. Herein, we report a dual-functionalization strategy that integrates both quinoid and cyano groups into polythiophene backbones to construct n-type polymers. Two new polymers, PQTTCN and PQTVTCN, were synthesized [...] Read more.

Developing high-performance n-type polymer semiconductors is hindered by the scarcity of strong electron-deficient building blocks. Herein, we report a dual-functionalization strategy that integrates both quinoid and cyano groups into polythiophene backbones to construct n-type polymers. Two new polymers, PQTTCN and PQTVTCN, were synthesized via the Stille copolymerization of a thienoquinoid-based dibrominated monomer (TTD2T-Br) with cyano-functionalized bithiophene and thienylene-vinylene-thienylene distannyl monomers, respectively. Electrochemical and computational analyses confirm that both polymers exhibit low-lying LUMO levels of −4.07 eV and highly planar backbones. In organic field-effect transistors, PQTTCN and PQTVTCN show unipolar n-type charge transport, with electron mobilities of 0.036 and 0.002 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively, which are attributed to their deep frontier molecular orbitals and planar conformations. Upon doping, both polymers exhibit n-type thermoelectric performance, achieving an electrical conductivity and power factor values of 0.16 S cm⁻¹ and 0.75 μW m⁻¹ K⁻² for PQTTCN and 0.043 S cm⁻¹ and 0.17 μW m⁻¹ K⁻² for PQTVTCN, respectively. AFM and GIWAXS results demonstrate that PQTTCN has better dopant compatibility and higher crystallinity than PQTVTCN. This work highlights that the combination of quinoid and cyano units offers a promising strategy for developing high-performance n-type polymer semiconductors for organic electronics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Materials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics)

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35 pages, 29899 KB  

Open AccessReview

Recent Progress on Flexible Electronic Devices Based on Buckled Structures with Polymeric Substrates

by Dawei Dong, Bin Hu, Simin Zhao, Kun Dai, Chaojun Gao, Guoqiang Zheng, Chuntai Liu and Changyu Shen

Polymers 2026, 18(15), 1887; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18151887 - 31 Jul 2026

Viewed by 1019

Abstract

Recently, flexible electronics have attracted widespread attention in personalized health monitoring, soft robotics, and smart human-machine interactions due to intrinsic high stretchability. Among them, constructing buckled structures in flexible devices is one of the most effective strategies to achieve flexibility and stretchability. Flexible [...] Read more.

Recently, flexible electronics have attracted widespread attention in personalized health monitoring, soft robotics, and smart human-machine interactions due to intrinsic high stretchability. Among them, constructing buckled structures in flexible devices is one of the most effective strategies to achieve flexibility and stretchability. Flexible electronic devices based on buckled structure (FEDB) have gained significant research progress, owing to their outstanding advantages such as simple fabrication processes, excellent structural stability, and broad applicability. Furthermore, its application areas are expanding to emerging scenarios, including the human body, underwater environments, the oceans, and space. However, there are few systematic reviews concerning their progresses, although researchers show increasing interest in the emerging applications of FEDB. This review summarizes recent research progress in FEDB. First, this review explains the buckled instability mechanism, listing the common conductive and substrate materials. The polymeric substrates discussed mainly include PDMS, TPU, SBS, PC, and hydrogel, which provide the flexibility and deformability required for FEDB. In addition, this review summarizes several methods for constructing buckled structures, including prestretch-release, solvent swelling, thermal, mold, and 3D printing as well as techniques for controlling morphology. Second, this review summarizes the applications of FEDB, such as flexible electrodes, strain and pressure sensors, and energy devices. Particularly, it provides a detailed introduction to the expansion of emerging scenarios, involving underwater monitoring, in vitro and in vivo physiological signal detection, human-machine interactions, and portable capsule devices. Finally, this review points out the current challenges of FEDB, including long-term service stability, adaptability to extreme environments, conformal attachment to complex curved surfaces, and large-scale manufacturing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Materials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics)

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