The Application of Multifunctional Elastomer and Gel-Based Composites

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid growth of wearable electronics, flexible devices, and self-powered systems has driven the demand for multifunctional composite materials. Their multifunctionality combines flexibility, durability, and advanced functional properties. Among various candidates, elastomer- and gel-based composites have emerged as ideal platforms. This choice is due to their lightweight nature, excellent mechanical compliance, and ease of processing. The incorporation of functional fillers such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, metal oxides, or piezoelectric ceramics makes them more robust in terms of achieving high piezoelectricity. Moreover, these composites can be engineered into multifunctional materials capable of sustainable energy harvesting, sensing, and environmental adaptability. In sustainable nanogenerators, elastomer and polymer composites play a central role in harvesting mechanical energy from various mechanical sources. These sources are human motion, vibrations, or environmental sources. Through various mechanisms, piezoelectric, triboelectric, or electrostatic effects are employed to generate voltage and power density. These materials convert mechanical strain into electrical energy, enabling sustainable power supplies for portable and wearable electronics. The inherent elasticity of elastomer matrices ensures mechanical robustness under repeated deformation. However, the conductive or piezoelectric fillers enhance the efficiency of energy conversion. For smart sensors, multifunctional composites provide a synergistic combination of flexibility, high sensitivity, and tunable response to external stimuli. These stimuli include pressure, strain, temperature, or humidity. By tailoring the filler type, dispersion, and interfacial interactions within the polymer matrix, these composites achieve superior performance. These performances include the real-time monitoring of physiological signals, structural health, and human–machine interfaces. Their ability to integrate sensing and energy-harvesting functions further supports the development of self-powered smart sensor systems.

Keeping the above points in mind, this Special Issue aims to collate multifunctional elastomer and polymer composites. These composites can bridge the gap between structural resilience and functional performance. Their adaptability, scalability, and compatibility with next-generation flexible electronics make them pivotal for advancing applications. These applications include, but are not limited to, nanogenerators, smart sensing technologies, and self-sustainable electronic systems. The key features of this Special Issue can be summarized as follows:

• Development of composites based on elastomeric and polymeric matrix;
• Exploring mechanical, electrical, self-healing, and thermal properties;
• New-generation fabrication techniques like 3D printing, molding, and roll-by-roll techniques;
• Sustainable nanogenerators based on piezoelectric and triboelectric systems;
• Smart sensors based on portable electronics, flexible and stretchable wearables, etc.;
• Human–machine interfaces and gesture recognition systems;
• Different types of gels, such as hydrogels.

Dr. Vineet Kumar
Prof. Dr. Sang-Shin Park
Guest Editors

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• portable electronics
• hydrogels
• soft elastomers
• smart sensors
• self-powered nanogenerators
• actuators
• tribology
• wear-fatigue properties
• durability
• multi-hysteresis
• magneto-rheological elastomers
• stretchable electronics