Understanding Electrothermal Mechanisms toward Soft Thermal Managemement Systems and Wearable Electronics

Highly stretchable and optically transparent thermal management systems are increasingly required for next-generation wearable electronics. Among various electrothermal platforms, alternating current (AC)-driven systems have attracted growing attention owing to their unique heat generation mechanism, which fundamentally differs from conventional electronic Joule heating while offering excellent optical transparency and mechanical compliance. Despite these advantages, the underlying electrothermal mechanism of AC-driven systems remains insufficiently understood, and current material design strategies have largely focused on improving overall performance rather than establishing a fundamental understanding of the heating behavior. Here, we investigate the electrothermal behavior of AC-driven systems through a rational materials design approach. This study aims to advance the understanding of electrothermal behavior and provide design considerations for the development of next-generation thermal management materials and wearable electronic systems.