Evolution of Surface Engineering in the Development of Textile-Based EMI Shields─A Review

Innovations in electronics and the rapid developments in communication systems have been unprecedented and made life easier. One such advancement is wireless electronics, where gadgets operate in gigahertz frequencies, transmitting and receiving signals in the form of electromagnetic (EM) waves during their operation. The increased presence of EM waves in the atmosphere has led to EM pollution. With the miniaturization of devices, there is an increased volume of complex circuitry in a limited space, causing interference between them during operation, termed “electromagnetic interference” (EMI). EMI concerns are rising as they are considered severe threats to devices and their functioning. Flexible and lightweight EMI shielding materials are vital to combat this issue. Functional textiles are considered promising candidates with increasing attention due to their outstanding flexibility. They offer excellent design scope and can be integrated with different materials like metals, polymers, and their composites in different levels (fiber, yarn, and fabric). This review provides a concise note on the fundamental concepts and mechanisms of EMI shielding and emphasizes how textiles for EMI shielding applications have evolved over the past two decades. From metal yarn coweaved fabrics to multifunctional coatings, tremendous progress has been made design-wise. This review presents a holistic view of all these design architectures, critically analyzing their pros and cons, and a perspective indicating future research directions.