# Environmental and Ecological Monitoring with Biodegradable Technologies

## TL;DR

Biodegradable wireless sensors offer a sustainable solution for environmental monitoring by collecting data and breaking down after use, reducing electronic waste.

## Contribution

This paper provides a comprehensive review of biodegradable sensor materials, degradation mechanisms, fabrication techniques, and sustainable powering for ecological monitoring.

## Key findings

- Biodegradable sensors use transient materials that degrade through hydrolysis, oxidation, and microbial action.
- Non-toxic fabrication methods and scalable production techniques are critical for practical deployment.
- Sustainable power solutions are essential for maintaining sensor functionality while preserving environmental sustainability.

## Abstract

The emergence of a new family of wireless biodegradable sensors marks a groundbreaking leap in ecological and environmental sensing. These biodegradable devices can collect a wide range of data in agriculture, climate research, forestry, water management, and biodiversity protection. Manufactured primarily from environmentally safe transient materials for sensing and data transmission, these systems undergo controlled degradation after use, minimizing environmental electronic waste. Here, a critical review of key aspects in the development and application of biodegradable sensors is performed for ecological and environmental monitoring. First, the different materials utilized in the development of biodegradable environmental monitoring devices and their applications are explored. The relevant degradation mechanisms, including hydrolysis, oxidation, photodegradation, and micro‐organism action are examined as a function of environmental conditions. Then compatible and non‐toxic fabrication techniques are investigated for building biodegradable sensors, emphasizing their scalability and potential for mass production. Finally, system‐level considerations are discussed for sustainable powering of these devices, ensuring efficient operation while maintaining environmental sustainability. By surveying a broad spectrum of applications and ongoing advancements, it is argued that biodegradable sensors have a transformative potential in advancing sustainable, widespread, and cost‐effective ecological and environmental monitoring solutions.

This review examines the development and application of wireless biodegradable sensors for environmental monitoring. It explores (bio)degradable materials, their degradation mechanisms in various environments, and non‐toxic fabrication techniques. Additionally, it addresses scalable production and sustainable powering solutions, emphasizing the high potential of these sensors for advancing sustainable and cost‐effective ecological monitoring across diverse fields.