Nanogenerators are an emerging technology that uses nanomaterials to harvest mechanical and thermal energy for generating electricity from ambient sources. The working principles of nanogenerators are based on triboelectric, piezoelectric, and thermoelectric effects of nanomaterials. Such novel energy conversion approaches are of critical importance for self-powered sensing, environmental monitoring, internet of things, energy harvesting, wearable devices, and flexible electronics.

Flexible electronics have attracted tremendous attention in recent years owing to their merits of bendability, elasticity, lightweight, easy fabrication, low cost and so on. Such advanced technology has been applied to developing flexible displays, electronic textiles, electronic skin, human–machine interfaces, and wearable devices. Flexible electronics could greatly boost the development of next-generation, intelligent, human friendly electronics.

This thematic issue aims to cover various strategies and ideas for future developments of nanogenerators and flexible electronics. The submitted works to this thematic issue may include, but are not limited to the following topics:

• Triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators
• Self-powered sensors and systems
• Fabrication of flexible polymer nanomaterials
• Electronic skin
• Human–machine interfaces
• Flexible and stretchable sensors
• Wearable devices
• Flexible energy conversion and storage devices