Additive manufacturing is favored for its capacity to create intricate geometries and enhance component functionality more efficiently than traditional methods. Applying texture to materials is one of the processes used to add functionality to products, wherein it can improve adhesion and tribological behavior in biomedical applications while also controlling mechanical properties and providing perceptual and aesthetic improvements. In this study, custom black-white images containing vertical lines were prepared and added as textures to the design of tensile test specimens during slicing. Custom textured and untextured tensile test specimens were fabricated using the Fused Deposition Method with polylactic Acid filament to evaluate the effect of texture parameters, such as protrusion offset (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 mm), number of protrusions (3, 6) and infill pattern (rectilinear, line, concentric), on the tensile strength of the specimens. Through the analysis of tensile test results and examination of microscopic and slicing software images, it was found that texturing resulted in a reduction in ultimate tensile strength due to nozzle trajectory deviations and stress concentration. The least detrimental texturing parameters observed in this study were 0.5 mm protrusion offset and 3 protrusions with concentric and line infill patterns, resulting in a reduction in tensile strength of 2.36 and 5.79%, respectively when compared to untextured specimens.

The proliferation of flexible electronics has entirely transformed the field of antenna design and paved the door for cutting-edge uses in communication, sensing, and other areas. The present research lends a succinct overview of the intriguing advancements in flexible antenna technology, with specific emphasis on the implementation of polymer substrates. As we refer to poly-flex antennas in this article, they stand for the incorporation of polymer substrates in antenna design. Polymer substrates are the optimum candidate for flexible antenna applications as they have specific advantages, including being lightweight, conformable, and inexpensive. The main features of poly-flex antennas, such as their design concepts, fabrication processes, and performance characteristics, are being explored in this proposed article. We delve into the wide variety of polymer substrates that are appropriate for antennas, taking into account their dielectric characteristics, flexibility, and environmental resistance. Their dielectric characterization, bending effects, challenges, and future prospects of this burgeoning field are also addressed. We conclude by emphasizing the immense potential of poly-flex-antennas to shape the future of wireless communication and sensing systems, and how the adoption of polymer substrates is driving innovation in antenna engineering.