Electrically Insulating Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Materials: A Perspective

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is critical in electronic applications. Over the past decades, numerous high-performance EMI shields are developed using electrically conducting materials. However, from an application aspect, EMI shielding materials, integral to the increasingly complex electronic systems, often need to be electrically insulating to prevent short-circuiting and enhance overall application reliability and flexibility. This requirement has frequently been overlooked in earlier research on EMI shielding materials. This paper summarizes the representative advancements in the design of innovative EMI shielding materials that minimize and eliminate reliance on electrical conductivity. Insights into the future prospects and directions for the development of electrically insulating EMI shielding materials are also provided, with the aim of pioneering materials that are both intrinsically insulating and effective at EMI shielding. Developing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with inherent electrical insulation and high EMI shielding effectiveness is challenging but important for electronic applications. This perspective summarizes the recent advancements in designing electrically insulating EMI shielding materials and discusses the underlying mechanisms of these materials. The insights into potential future developments in this field are also provided. image