Electromagnetic Characterization of Flexible Materials for Biocompatible Sensor Applications

The need to develop intelligent systems capable of seamlessly interacting with their surrounding environment and establishing mutually beneficial relationships to harness their full potential is clearly on the upswing. As a result, the need for conducting accurate electromagnetic analyses on suitable materials for technological applications becomes evident in the context of a new Industrial Revolution. This paper presents the results of a literature review on electromagnetic characterization methods of flexible materials, with a focus on biocompatible applications, such as textile antennas. The described methods primarily aim to measure the dielectric constant and loss tangent of these materials. The article also discusses the main challenges in measuring the permittivity of flexible materials, presenting the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The sequence of contents presented here reveals that this process is not trivial, requiring a broad mathematical knowledge and a profound understanding of how materials are influenced by electromagnetic phenomena. With the aim of making knowledge more accessible to future scientists seeking theoretical guidance, this article has been developed to simplify the content in this rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field.