Recent progress on hybrid fibrous electromagnetic shields: Key protectors of living species against electromagnetic radiation

The digitalization of human life, as a result of the rapid development of telecommunication systems, has skyrocketed electromagnetic (EM) pollution with a deteriorating effect on the function of electronic devices and the health of living creatures. Accordingly, long-term exposure to EM waves disturbs the body’s metabolism through irreversible changes, leading to serious cell damage or even cancer. Consequently, protecting vulnerable groups from hazardous EM sources has become an essential fundamental matter. This comprehensive review investigated the interactive mechanism of EM waves with biological systems and proposed reliable approaches for safeguarding vulnerable biological systems using various nanostructural designs. Fibrous materials and their various configurations are also introduced as versatile wearable safeguarding shields to protect vulnerable entities from incident EM waves. Furthermore, the fibrous materials are presented as promising candidates for shielding EM waves by absorption mechanisms, thereby mitigating the undesirable secondary reflections, a common shortfall for most EM wave shields. The digitalization of human life, as a result of the rapid development of telecommunication systems, has skyrocketed electromagnetic (EM) pollution with a deteriorating effect on the function of electronic devices and the health of living creatures. Accordingly, long-term exposure to EM waves disturbs the body’s metabolism through irreversible changes, leading to serious cell damage or even cancer. Consequently, protecting vulnerable groups from hazardous EM sources has become an essential fundamental matter. This comprehensive review investigated the interactive mechanism of EM waves with biological systems and proposed reliable approaches for safeguarding vulnerable biological systems using various nanostructural designs. Fibrous materials and their various configurations are also introduced as versatile wearable safeguarding shields to protect vulnerable entities from incident EM waves. Furthermore, the fibrous materials are presented as promising candidates for shielding EM waves by absorption mechanisms, thereby mitigating the undesirable secondary reflections, a common shortfall for most EM wave shields. Graphical Abstract View Large Image Figure Viewer Download Hi-res image