Recent Advances in Stretchable Electromagnetic Devices for Wearable Applications

Soft electronic platforms have emerged as promising technologies for wearable, implantable, and human-robot interface applications. However, compared with DC-based soft electronics, soft radiofrequency (RF) devices remain less explored because electromagnetic characteristics are highly sensitive to mechanical deformation, material degradation, and surrounding dielectric environments. These challenges become more crucial at high frequency and mmWave(millimeter wave) regimes due to shorter wavelengths and increased dielectric losses. To address these issues, this review summarizes recent advances in stretchable RF devices, including transmission lines, antennas, metasurfaces, and resonators. Strategies for mitigating material degradations, suppressing resonance shifting, and reducing dielectric loss are discussed. Finally, future perspectives for mmWave wearable systems and adaptive soft electromagnetic platforms are discussed