Nanomaterial advanced smart coatings: Emerging trends shaping the future

• The role of fundamental characteristics of nanomaterials in enhancing smart coatings for real-time structural health monitoring and flexible electronics applications. • E-skin technology with integrated energy-harvesting capabilities is explored, demonstrating significant potential for wearable electronics. • Sustainability in smart coating formulations is emphasised as a critical factor for advancing and adopting these technologies in industrial applications. • AI and machine learning are highlighted as transformative tools that accelerate the commercialisation and functional optimisation of smart coatings. Advancements in nanotechnology have positioned coatings as a pivotal field with the potential to significantly impact both industry and society. This review delves into nanomaterials and their potential to create smart coatings capable of real-time monitoring and flexible electronics applications. The mechanisms of conductivity and sensing capabilities within these coatings are emphasized to highlight their importance in the context of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the current trends shaping the coatings industry are summarized, such as the concept of electronic skin (E-skin) and increasing focus on sustainability. In the digital era, the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) is set to transform the future of coatings, enhancing their intelligence and environmental interactivity. Smart coatings are poised to revolutionize our interaction with the environment, spanning applications from consumer goods to robotics and sensors. The ongoing development of these materials and technologies promises to unlock new and exciting possibilities. By discussing the above aspects in detail, this review positions itself as a forward-looking contribution that summarizes the state-of-the-art and anticipates future directions for smart coatings, offering insights into how ongoing advancements can unlock new possibilities for both industrial applications and societal impact.