Imagine clothing that not only feels comfortable but can also track your health, help you communicate, and connect seamlessly with technology around you.
Scientists are taking a step toward this future with the development of stretchable plasmonic waveguides—tiny structures that guide electromagnetic signals while remaining flexible, bendable, and even twistable.
Researchers from Zhejiang University have designed and tested waveguides that transmit signals known as spoof surface plasmon polaritons.
These are a special form of electromagnetic waves that travel along a surface by interacting with electrons.
Unlike traditional plasmonics, which usually deal with visible or infrared light, spoof plasmons work at longer wavelengths, such as radio frequencies. This makes them easier to integrate into fabrics and wearable devices.
The key achievement of the new study, published in Optical Materials Express, is that the waveguides maintain strong and stable signal transmission even when stretched or bent.
They also fully recover their original shape after being pulled, thanks to their elastic design. This durability could allow future devices to be built directly into clothing without losing performance during everyday movements.
The research team created the waveguides by winding deformable metallic wires in a helical pattern around a base made of thermoplastic polyurethane.
This design offers both flexibility and resilience, making it compatible with skin and textiles.
It also reduces mechanical strain during stretching, which helps the waveguides last longer and perform more reliably than earlier attempts with flexible materials.
“Although our work is still at the research stage, it shows the exciting possibility of merging advanced electromagnetic technologies with soft, stretchable materials,” said lead researcher Zuojia Wang. “This brings us closer to a future where advanced health care and connectivity are integrated into what we wear.”
Tests of the prototypes showed impressive results. The waveguides could stretch up to 50% without narrowing, a feature described as having “zero Poisson’s ratio.”
Even under such strain, the signal transmission changed by less than 10%. They also worked effectively when bent or twisted, proving their potential for wearable applications.
The team is now working on practical demonstrations, including a chest strap that uses electromagnetic metafabric to monitor heartbeats. They also plan to refine their designs with microstructures such as helical microwires and microknots to further boost mechanical stability and performance.
The long-term vision is smart textiles that can track vital signs, support wireless communication, or connect seamlessly with machines and robots.
Whether for medical monitoring, emergency communication, or everyday convenience, stretchable plasmonic waveguides could make electronics more body-friendly, reliable, and invisible—woven directly into the clothes we wear.
