Introducing Sensors & Diagnostics

It is with great pleasure that we introduce Sensors & Diagnostics, a new gold open access journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry dedicated to promoting research on innovative sensors, systems, devices, and technology for diagnostics and other applications.

Faster and more accurate sensing continues to be two of the most fundamental challenges in environmental and food sensing, as well as for the diagnosis of diseases and human conditions. Research in the field of sensors and diagnostics has focused on and has already seen great progress in making sensors smarter, safer, and multifunctional. These improvements aim towards better treatment success under clinical conditions and in more rapid warning systems for environmental applications. Portable, wearable, implantable, and low energy consuming sensors are an indispensable component of this field, as well as the further development of laboratory diagnostics using microfluidics and advanced detection schemes.

Sensors & Diagnostics aims to promote innovative work in each of these crucial subdisciplines and to promote scientific excellence, diversity, and inclusiveness to both welcome and embrace the wide range of researchers interested in this area of research. This vision is clearly expressed in the first journal issue, which highlights contributions to optical sensors via a report on improved fluorescence sensing using nanomesh scaffolds, an organically modified sol–gel, and colorimetric sensing of carbonic anhydrase II by the naked eye. We are also pleased to feature graphene-based field-effect transistors modified with electropolymerized nanofilms for urine glucose detection, work on the current state-of-the-art of POC devices for pathogen detection, electroanalytical sensing of hydrazine, and the interest in quad-band metamaterial absorbers operating in the terahertz region in this first exciting journal issue.

We warmly thank all the researchers who contributed to the first issue of Sensors & Diagnostics. In future issues, we look forward to showcasing even more valued contributions in these exciting developing areas. We are particularly interested in sharing innovative research with a strong focus on applicability to real-world scenarios that will bridge the gap from sensing in the laboratory environment to field-based applications. Papers related to the development of novel diagnostic concepts, integration, and screening of novel sensing ligands and architectures, as well as the use of innovation in the field of medical imaging and molecular diagnostics at large, are all more than welcome. Together with the associate editors of the journal, we hope that our mantra to “educate, engage and encourage” will appeal to you and encourage you to contribute to Sensors & Diagnostics and help to grow this fascinating multidisciplinary field of diagnostics and sensing.

To allow these crucial developments to be read, used, and shared by anyone in the community, as well as to stimulate faster progress in research, Sensors & Diagnostics is a fully gold open access journal, making all research here free to read for all. The journal is published by a society publisher because we believe that the transition to open access publishing should be smooth, fair, and sustainable, and so, for the first years of publication, the Royal Society of Chemistry will cover all APCs until mid-2024.

We make sure that each of the impactful papers published in Sensors & Diagnostics is an example of a quality peer review and publication process that you would expect from any of the RSC journals. All submissions are handled by a team of internationally recognised associate editors, all of which are practising scientists in the field, and hand-picked for publication.

We are committed to developing Sensors & Diagnostics so that the journal fully meets the needs of our authors and readers. We always welcome comments, suggestions, and feedback, so please do contact us at E-mail: sensors-rsc@rsc.org with your views and feedback.

Sabine Szunerits and Xueji Zhang, Editors-in-Chief

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