Self-Powered Sensors: Design, Applications and Challenges
A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "A：Physics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2026) | Viewed by 1505
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Self-powered sensors are a significant technological breakthrough in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT). These sensors can directly harvest energy from the surrounding environment, such as heat, mechanical vibrations, body movement, and biomass, and can convert it into an electrical signal, enabling continuous monitoring and data transmission without the need for external power sources. The core technology of self-powered sensors lies in energy harvesting and conversion mechanisms, such as thermoelectric and biofuel cells. Among them, mechanical movement sensing encompasses various methods, especially triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) and piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs), which have gained significant attention.
In recent years, advancements in materials science and micro/nanofabrication technologies have enabled more intricate sensor designs, seamless integration, and compact packaging. These innovations significantly improve the efficiency, stability, and lifespan of self-powered sensors, reducing maintenance costs and bringing convenience and efficiency to a broad range of applications, such as environmental monitoring, healthcare, virtual reality, industrial manufacturing, and many other fields.
In the future, self-powered sensors will evolve towards higher levels of efficiency, stability, and intelligence, contributing to the construction of a smarter, greener, and more sustainable world. This Special Issue aims to gather the latest research findings and technological advancements in the field of self-powered sensors, exploring their development trends and application prospects, and provide a platform for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to exchange ideas and collaborate.
Dr. Jian Chen
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- self-powered sensors
- triboelectric/piezoelectric nanogenerator
- flexible electronics
- thermoelectric
- biofuel cell
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