The metamaterial paradigm in wearable electronics

Metamaterials transcend the limits of traditional materials by achieving unprecedented performance through architectural design. This paradigm has catalyzed the emergence of meta-wearables—wearable electronics whose functions are encoded in structurally engineered matter, enabling compliant mechanics, tailored waves, and thermal transport. In this article, we summarize state-of-the-art meta-wearables and organize these systems into a three-class taxonomy. We then explain why these architectures matter by analyzing the performance gains from unique architectural designs, and elucidating how their physics are made superior by a dual mechanism: interface programming at the biointerface and transport steering of relevant flows. Moving to a system view, we propose the concept of constraint domains to formalize the essential in situ requirements any on-body system must satisfy. As such, we develop a generalized boundary-programmed design framework that translates near-body uncertainties into architectural rules, and which is transferable across materials, scales, and body sites. Finally, we present a design blueprint tailored to different body areas and discuss future prospects and challenges. The framework and insights we provide open a path for engineering future meta-wearables that are capable of adaptive co-evolution with the human body through embedded intelligence. • A taxonomy of metamaterial roles in wearable systems is defined. • A dual mechanism of interface programming and transport steering is revealed. • Constraint domains and a boundary-programmed design framework are established. • A body-site blueprint is outlined, along with future prospects for meta-wearables.