Topic: Soft Iontronic Materials for Next-Generation Biointegrated Microsystems
Guest Editors
Special Topic Introduction
Soft iontronic materials are emerging as a key foundation for next-generation biointegrated microsystems by enabling efficient ion transport, ion–electron coupling, and dynamic interactions with biological systems. Unlike conventional electronic materials, soft iontronic materials—including ionic hydrogels, ion-conducting polymers, electrolytes, bio-derived ionic materials, and hybrid ionic composites—can mimic biological ionic environments while maintaining excellent mechanical compliance, making them particularly suitable for seamless integration with living tissues.
Recent advances in soft iontronic materials, together with micro/nanofabrication, flexible device engineering, and system-level integration, have enabled biointegrated microsystems capable of ionic sensing, neuromorphic information processing, bioelectronic interfaces, energy conversion, and closed-loop therapeutic regulation. These developments are creating new opportunities for wearable and implantable iontronic systems with enhanced adaptability, biocompatibility, and multifunctionality.
This Special Topic welcomes original research and comprehensive reviews covering fundamental materials, device physics, ionic transport mechanisms, interface engineering, fabrication strategies, and practical applications of soft iontronic materials in biointegrated microsystems. The goal is to advance the fundamental understanding and technological development of iontronic materials and devices for future intelligent bioelectronic systems.
We welcome contributions on, but are not limited to, the following topics:
● Soft ion-conducting materials, ionic hydrogels, and polymer electrolytes;
● Ion transport mechanisms and ion–electron coupling in soft materials;
● Bioionic interfaces and biointegrated iontronic devices;
● Flexible and stretchable iontronic sensors and actuators;
● Iontronic neuromorphic and ionic computing devices;
● Electrolyte-gated transistors and ion-controlled electronics;
● Soft materials for wearable and implantable iontronic systems;
● Self-powered iontronic devices and ionic energy conversion;
● Micro/nanofabrication and scalable manufacturing of iontronic microsystems;
● In vitro and in vivo evaluation of biointegrated iontronic microsystems.
Keywords
Soft iontronic materials, ionic hydrogels, ion-conducting polymers, ion transport, ion–electron coupling, bioiontronics, biointegrated microsystems, electrolyte-gated transistors, iontronic neuromorphic devices, flexible iontronic sensors, wearable iontronics, implantable bioelectronics
Submission Information
For Author Instructions, please refer to https://www.oaepublish.com/ions/author_instructions
For Online Submission, please login at https://www.oaecenter.com/login?JournalId=ions&IssueId=ions25111710282
Submission Deadline: 31 Oct 2026
Contacts: Ning Zhang, [email protected]
