Sensors and Actuators of Piezoelectric Polymers for Biomechanics

Polymeric materials are widely applied in the fabrication of flexible sensors and actuators. Since sensors convert physical quantities into signals that can be measured, read, characterized, and utilized for actuation purposes, they play a crucial role—both directly and indirectly—in many aspects of everyday life. Given these essential roles, it is natural that their application has extended significantly into flexible and bendable systems. Biomedical applications, robotics, smart textiles, and the measurement of parameters such as temperature, vibrations, and accelerations are only a few examples of potential uses for flexible sensors and actuators. Moreover, flexible sensors offer the distinct advantage of conforming closely to the surfaces of the objects or bodies under monitoring and actuation.

This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, review papers, and innovative applications related to piezoelectric polymer-based sensors and actuators, with a particular emphasis on biomechanics applications. The application of machine learning paradigms to data obtained from these sensors is also especially encouraged.

We welcome submissions in areas including, but not limited to, the following:

• Body movement monitoring
• Body posture monitoring
• Gait analysis
• Wearable sensors
• Polymeric transducers
• Flexible sensors and actuators
• Soft matters
• Electret polymers
• Polymer ferroelectrets
• Piezoelectrics
• Piezoelectret sensors
• Piezoelectric sensors and actuators
• Soft electro-active materials
• Functional materials
• Displacement sensors
• Manufacturing processes
• Additive fabrication (3D printing)