Wearable and implantable sensors have been employed in a variety of mechanical and biomedical applications.
Micro- and nano-scale flexible sensors are fabricated using different techniques (e.g. self-assembly, photolithography, additive manufacturing, microfluidics, etc.), integrating different conductive and insulating materials, and shaped into different geometries and sizes.
For example, localized surface plasmon (LSP) nanostructures have been used for sensing applications, especially in combination with photonic sensors to enhance their sensitivity all packaged in flexible substrates. Also, flexible and stretchable bio-electronics have been used to make implantable and wearable sensors to monitor electrochemical and electrophysiological signals.
These devices have continuously evolved in performance and novel applications are being explored.
Despite many technological advances, challenges remain in terms of fabrication, light-matter interaction basic understanding (for photonic sensors), and novel transduction methods. The purpose of this research topic is to collect current research findings about photonic sensors, hybrid plasmonic sensors, and wearable and implantable biosensors, their development, and their use in novel applications.
The focus of this research topic is on advanced theoretical and experimental research on novel micro-, nano-sensors, new fabrication processes, packaging methods, and applications. We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, mini-review, and perspective articles on themes that include, but are not limited to:

• New fabrication methods of hybrid plasmonic-optical micro-, nano-scale sensors, and wearable/implantable sensors,
• Materials and design considerations for flexible devices (including but not limited to biomedical sensors, organic thin film transistors (OTFTs), polymer electrodes, smart textiles);
• Device packaging and electrical connections with recording/characterization systems;
• Emerging materials for the fabrication of flexible and stretchable devices
• Theoretical studies on the novel sensing mechanisms and applications.

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Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering

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