Next-Generation Self-Powered and Flexible Electronic Systems for Wearable, Robotic, and Marine Applications

Flexible and self-powered electronic systems are reshaping the way humans interact with their environment, from smart healthcare to intelligent robotics and marine engineering. Triboelectric and piezoelectric technologies have opened new possibilities for distributing energy harvesting and autonomous sensing in dynamic and extreme environments. With advances in materials science, soft electronics, and data-driven analysis, these systems are enabling multi-functional, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient devices. The integration of these technologies across wearable, robotic, and marine domains represents a critical step toward the next generation of sustainable intelligent systems.

This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research on next-generation self-powered and flexible electronic systems, covering the full spectrum from materials to intelligent applications. The collection will focus on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), piezoelectric systems, and hybrid energy harvesters that enable autonomous, sustainable, and intelligent functions. We particularly welcome studies on wearable and robotic devices, as well as marine and environmental monitoring systems powered by energy-harvesting technologies. By integrating materials innovation, structural design, AI-assisted signal analysis, and system-level engineering, this Research Topic seeks to accelerate the development of intelligent self-sustained systems for real-world applications.

This Research Topic welcomes original research and review articles focusing on:
(1) Flexible and stretchable self-powered sensors and electronics
(2) High-performance triboelectric and hybrid nanogenerators
(3) Intelligent sensing and signal decoding with AI assistance
(4) Self-sustained systems for wearable, robotic, and marine applications
(5) Blue energy harvesting and environmental monitoring networks
(6) Energy management, system integration, and practical implementations

We encourage multidisciplinary contributions from materials science, mechanical and ocean engineering, and intelligent systems research.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), Flexible electronics, Self-powered sensors, Human–machine interaction, Marine energy harvesting, Artificial intelligence

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.