The multisensor approach is becoming more and more popular in analytical chemistry. This is especially the case when talking about multisensor systems for the analysis of liquids and gases (also known as “electronic tongues” and “electronic noses”). Recently the application of optical sensors in combination with household devices (such as smartphones, tablets, etc) has also obtained significant interest. This increased popularity can be partly associated with a gradual shift to a new paradigm in analytical chemistry with a high preference given to simple, fast and inexpensive methods in combination with advanced data processing, which allows for the generation of reliable chemical information from complex unresolved analytical signals.

Another issue which makes the multisensor approach very attractive is that, from the end user point of view, the control system does not necessarily have to be based upon exact numbers, e.g. mg/L of some particular chemical substance in the analyzed media, but instead the customer would rather like to find out whether the overall quality of the sample is within some prescribed range of parameters. This “smart“ approach avoids the use of expensive and sophisticated instruments, yet allows for control of global conformity of the samples to the standards of interest both in qualitative and quantitative scales. The aim of the present Research Topic issue is to review the recent developments performed in all aspects of multisensor systems: sensor materials, measuring techniques, data processing and practical applications. We hope to inspire further interest and new research efforts in this exciting area.

This Research Topic will include a collection of original research and review (mini review) articles in the area of chemical sensors development and application in multisensory analysis. An editorial foreword article, followed by a general commentary article authored by leading scientists in the field of chemical sensors and artificial sensing systems will open the Research Topic collection.

Keywords: Chemical Sensors, Multisensory Systems, Electronic nose (e-nose), Electronic Tongue (e-tongue), Chemometrics

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.