Wearable, Portable, and Bio-Integrated Sensors for Clinical, Forensic, and Environmental Applications

The field of wearable, portable, and bio-integrated sensors is undergoing rapid innovation, fundamentally altering how data about chemical, biological, and physical environments are collected and interpreted. These advancements are primarily fueled by progress in materials science, micro- and nanofabrication, advanced spectroscopy, electronics, and sophisticated data analytics. Historically, high-sensitivity and specificity analyses were confined to laboratory settings; however, there is an increasing demand for in-situ, real-time information that can guide decision-making in unpredictable clinical, forensic, and environmental contexts. The key challenge remains designing sensor platforms that are reliable, minimally invasive, and effective under complex, variable, and potentially harsh operating conditions.Recent studies have showcased an expanding range of sensor applications, from wearable monitors for continuous physiological and metabolic tracking to portable or integrated systems for rapid crime-scene forensics and point-of-care diagnostics. Environmental monitoring has similarly benefited from sensors capable of detecting pollutants and contaminants in real-time, often with minimal sample preparation. Despite these achievements, important limitations persist, such as biocompatibility, integration with digital analytics and user interfaces, long-term stability, and robust operation in complex biological or environmental matrices. There is significant need for improved transduction mechanisms, system integration strategies, and data interpretation solutions to translate promising prototypes into widely adopted tools.This Research Topic aims to aggregate forefront research on the development, optimisation, and implementation of next-generation wearable, portable, and bio-integrated sensors relevant to clinical, forensic, and environmental applications. It seeks to answer questions regarding sensor miniaturisation, analytical performance in real-world conditions, system robustness, and the interplay between sensor hardware and interpretative algorithms. By fostering interdisciplinary discussion, the topic aspires to promote both incremental and transformative advancements that enhance the practicality and accessibility of sensor technology.This Research Topic encompasses research that is focused on the design, application, and integration of sensor platforms intended for real-world diagnostics, monitoring, and forensics. Both fundamental and applied investigations are welcomed, provided there is strong relevance to clinical, forensic, or environmental contexts. To gather further insights in these domains, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Wearable and bio-integrated sensors for physiological, biochemical, and metabolic monitoring- Portable and field-deployable sensors for forensic analysis and investigative applications- Environmental sensing platforms for air, water, and soil quality assessment, including pollutant detection- Innovations in transduction mechanisms, including optical, electrochemical, spectroscopic, and hybrid approaches- Integration of sensors with microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip systems, and point-of-care platforms Topic editors: Sila Jin, Mohamed O. Amin Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79125/wearable-portable-and-bio-integrated-sensors-for-clinical-forensic-and-environmental-applications