Collection Overview

Scientific Reports has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Nanoelectromechanical systems.

NEMS represent the combination of nanotechnology with mechanical systems, enabling the development of ultra-sensitive, high-frequency devices with applications spanning sensing, signal processing, and beyond. As device dimensions shrink to the nanoscale, novel physical phenomena emerge, offering both opportunities and challenges in design, fabrication, and characterisation. Recent advances in materials science, including the integration of 2D materials, have significantly enhanced the performance and versatility of NEMS. At the same time, progress in nanofabrication techniques and theoretical modelling continues to push the boundaries of what these systems can achieve. Understanding the interplay between mechanical, electrical, and quantum effects at the nanoscale is crucial for unlocking the full potential of NEMS in next-generation technologies.

This will be a Collection of research papers and will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of Scientific Reports more generally. Review articles are also welcomed, to our sister journal Scientific Reviews. We are welcoming submissions until 22nd July 2026.

Why is this Collection important? 

"Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) are not only engineered devices: proteins and biomolecular assemblies are natural NEMS that couple electric forces to nanomechanical motion. In the sub-THz/THz range, collective vibrational modes shape dielectric response and absorption (e.g., kinesin, tubulin), offering a quantitative bridge from structure and charge distribution to dynamics and function. This topic matters for fundamental biophysics and for technologies such as label-free sensing, bioinspired actuation, and high-frequency diagnostics. The collection can unify device, spectroscopy, and modeling communities, set benchmarks, and accelerate interpretable, reproducible bio-NEMS research." - Dr. Michal Cifra

"The significance of NEMS structures fundamental study and applications is huge. It has applications in the fields of biomedical, communications etc. As this Collection lies in my research interest area, it excited me to join this team and contribute. " -Dr.  Atul Thakre

Why submit to a Collection? 

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest. 

Who is involved? 

Guest Editors:

• Michal Cifra, Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czechia
• Lijie Li, Swansea University, UK
• Atul Thakre, Vellore Institute of Technology, India

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Silvia Butera, Scientific Reports, Germany
• Commissioning Editor: Robert Moran, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Rebecca Chan, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper? 

Visit the Collection page to find out more about this Collection and how to submit your article.