Stretch Tunable Active Frequency Selective Fabric for Dynamically Switchable Bandstop and Transparency

Abstract

Developing zero-power and wearable electromagnetic functional fabrics is essential for adaptive communication and shielding in complex environments. Here, we propose a stretchable active frequency selective fabric, fabricated by screen printing, that achieves bistable switching between bandstop and broadband transparent states through fracture-induced topological reconfiguration. In its initial state, the periodic cross-shaped conductive units produce a strong bandstop response at 10.5 GHz (−22.48 dB, quality factor 7.5). When stretched to 15% strain, conductive pathways rupture into a disordered network, eliminating resonance and enabling nearly transparent transmission (<0.2 dB across 4–14 GHz). Upon release, the conductive structure self-reconstructs, restoring the original bandstop performance with excellent cycling durability. Unlike conventional diode- or bias-driven active frequency selective surface, the proposed active frequency selective fabric requires no external circuits or energy input, offering a scalable, lightweight, and flexible solution. These attributes highlight its potential for wearable electromagnetic shielding, sustainable communication devices, and next-generation adaptive smart fabrics.

Keywords

active frequency selective surface / fracture-induced reconfiguration / stretchable conductive fabric / wearable materials / zero-power operation

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2026 The Author(s). Energy & Environmental Materials published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Zhengzhou University.