High-Performance Strain-Stable Electromagnetic Shielding Materials Enabled by Magnetic Elastic Fiber Networks

Zhang X, Xu H, et al.

Advanced Science

Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo Institute of Technology

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This study presents a stretchable, high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composite based on a magnetic elastic fiber network. The material integrates Fe–liquid metal (Fe-LM) microdroplets within a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix, forming a conductive, magnetically aligned network. The Fe-LM alignment enhances conductivity, magnetic response, and mechanical compliance, producing films that maintain over 93% EMI shielding efficiency (SE) under 100% tensile strain and after 2000 stretch-release cycles. The combination of mechanical resilience, strain stability, and high EMI SE establishes this composite as a promising solution for wearable electronics and soft robotic applications.

Mechanical and cyclic tensile tests were conducted using a CellScale UniVert S2 mechanical testing system (Waterloo, ON, Canada). Uniaxial loading–unloading cycles were performed at varying strain amplitudes (20–100%) and cycle counts up to 2000 repetitions to assess elasticity, hysteresis, and strain recovery of the TPU/Fe-LM composites. The UniVert S2 provided accurate stress–strain characterization, confirming excellent mechanical robustness and negligible plastic deformation, critical for reliable EMI shielding performance under repetitive deformation.

AUTHORS

Xinyi Zhang, Hao Xu, Zhipeng Zhou, Lei Yang, Jianbo Wang, Zhiyuan Wang, Junwei Gu, Jianfeng Zhang.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

JOURNAL

Advanced Science

YEAR

2025

INSTITUTIONS

Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo Institute of Technology

COUNTRIES

China

INSTRUMENT USED

UniVert

TESTING METHODS

Fatigue TestingTensile Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

Material Fatigue and DurabilityPolymers and Elastomers TestingSoft Robotics MaterialsWearable Bioelectronics

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