Recent Advances of Stretchable Soft Antennas: Material, Structure and Integration

Abstract

Stretchable soft antennas represent a transformative class of devices that seamlessly integrate wireless communication into deformable and dynamic platforms. Enabled by advances in functional materials and structural engineering, these antennas can withstand large mechanical deformations while maintaining stable electromagnetic performance - unlocking new possibilities in wearable electronics, soft robotics, and implantable biomedical systems. This review systematically surveys recent progress in conductive material choices - from traditional metals and liquid metal to nanocomposites and hybrid architectures - and examines how structural strategies such as serpentine layouts, kirigami patterns, and out-of-plane designs redistribute strain to preserve antenna performance under repeated deformation. We also discuss emerging fabrication techniques and applications in wireless health monitoring, soft robotic systems, and energy harvesting. Finally, we highlight key challenges, including improving environmental stability, achieving seamless multi-module integration, and unraveling the coupling mechanisms between mechanical deformation and electromagnetic behavior. This review offers a materials and structure driven framework for the rational design of stretchable soft antennas with robust wireless functionality.

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