Materials, Designs, and Implementations of Wearable Antennas and Circuits for Biomedical Applications: A Review

The intersection of biomedicine and radio frequency (RF) engineering has fundamentally transformed self-health monitoring by leveraging soft and wearable electronic devices. This paradigm shift presents a critical challenge, requiring these devices and systems to possess exceptional flexibility, biocompatibility, and functionality. To meet these requirements, traditional electronic systems, such as sensors and antennas made from rigid and bulky materials, must be adapted through material science and schematic design. Notably, in recent years, extensive research efforts have focused on this field, and this review article will concentrate on recent advancements. We will explore the traditional/emerging materials for highly flexible and electrically efficient wearable electronics, followed by systematic designs for improved functionality and performance. Additionally, we will briefly overview several remarkable applications of wearable electronics in biomedical sensing. Finally, we provide an outlook on potential future directions in this developing area.