Articles tagged with "metamaterials"
Optical device switches light 10,000x faster than silicon transistors
Researchers at the University of Oldenburg in Germany have developed an ultra-fast optical switch made from a nanostructured "active metamaterial" combining ultra-thin silver nano-slit arrays with a monolayer of the semiconductor tungsten disulphide. This hybrid structure can control light on femtosecond timescales—quadrillionths of a second—making it approximately 10,000 times faster than conventional silicon-based electronic transistors. The device operates by briefly storing incoming light in a hybrid quantum state called an exciton-plasmon polariton, which couples light and matter properties and allows strong interaction with electron-hole pairs (excitons) on the semiconductor surface. Using external laser pulses, the researchers were able to modulate the reflectivity of the device by up to 10 percent within about 70 femtoseconds, effectively switching the light signal at unprecedented speeds. The team employed two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) to observe these ultrafast quantum interactions with high temporal
materialsnanotechnologyoptical-switchsemiconductormetamaterialsphotonicsultrafast-technologyUK-made super materials to shield fusion reactors from extreme heat
The UK has made a significant advancement toward its goal of operating a prototype fusion power plant by 2040 through the launch of DIADEM, a research initiative focused on overcoming a major materials engineering challenge. Fusion reactors require components that can withstand extreme heat—up to 3,000°C—and intense magnetic fields. Tungsten and copper are ideal materials for these conditions due to tungsten’s high melting point and copper’s excellent heat conduction. However, their vastly different melting points and thermal expansion rates have made traditional joining methods like welding or casting ineffective, often resulting in cracks or separation. DIADEM, led by the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing, is addressing this by using Multi-Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion (MM-LPBF), an advanced 3D printing technique that simultaneously fabricates tungsten-copper components from the ground up. This process creates “metamaterials” with a smooth microscopic transition between the two metals, eliminating weak seams and improving durability. This breakthrough not only advances
materialsfusion-energyadditive-manufacturingmetamaterialstungstencopper3D-printingNew nature-inspired metal could enable morphing aircraft wings
Researchers at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) have developed a novel nature-inspired metal metamaterial designed to enable shape-shifting aircraft wings. Unlike previous materials that were either too weak or mechanically cumbersome, this new alloy is lightweight, durable, and flexible, capable of smoothly changing shape during flight and autonomously recovering its original form. The material is based on a nickel-titanium shape memory alloy fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), a precise metal 3D printing technique that allowed the creation of tiny wavy structural features mimicking the seedcoat of the succulent plant Portulaca oleracea. This biomimicry resulted in a metal network honeycomb structure that can stretch up to 38% before fracturing and recover over 96% of its programmed shape when heated. The NUAA team demonstrated the material’s potential by building prototype wing sections that could morph smoothly between angles of −25° to 25° under low temperatures similar
materialsmetamaterialsshape-memory-alloyaerospace-materials3D-printingmorphing-aircraftnickel-titanium-alloyMetamaterial with more shapes than atoms allows endless sound control
Researchers at the University of Connecticut have developed a groundbreaking programmable acoustic metamaterial capable of real-time tuning with an almost infinite number of configurations—surpassing the number of atoms in the universe. Unlike traditional metamaterials, which are rigid and fixed in function, this new design features an 11×11 grid of asymmetrical, motor-controlled pillars that can be individually rotated in one-degree increments. This allows precise manipulation of sound waves by bending, dampening, or focusing them, enabling the material to adapt instantly to different tasks and frequencies. One of the most promising applications of this metamaterial lies in medicine, where it can focus sound waves with extreme precision to non-invasively target tumors, kidney stones, or manipulate microscopic particles inside the body. This capability could revolutionize therapeutic ultrasound and medical imaging techniques like acoustic tweezers. Beyond healthcare, the technology also holds potential for energy savings by reducing drag on moving objects. To manage the vast design possibilities, the research team is employing AI and machine learning to
materialsmetamaterialssound-controlprogrammable-materialsacoustic-metamaterialsreal-time-tuningmedical-applicationsChina’s 80,000-ton nuclear-proof floating facility to turn blast shocks into light impact
China is developing an 80,000-ton semi-submersible floating research facility designed to withstand nuclear blasts and operate in harsh sea conditions. The twin-hull platform, named the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility, will use specialized metamaterial sandwich panels to convert nuclear blast shocks into gentle impacts, enhancing its resilience. With a crew capacity of 238 and the ability to operate for four months without resupply, the facility aims to support continuous deep-sea scientific research, including marine equipment testing and seabed mining exploration. It is expected to enter service by 2028. The platform combines mobility and permanence, capable of cruising at 15 knots while enduring powerful tropical cyclones due to its semi-submerged design, which keeps most of the structure below the waterline for stability. Developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and China State Shipbuilding Corporation, the facility includes critical compartments with emergency power, communications, and navigation control systems, emphasizing nuclear blast protection. While framed as a major
materialsmetamaterialsnuclear-blast-resistancefloating-research-facilityenergy-resiliencemaritime-technologystructural-engineeringLiquid-crystal hybrid ‘gyromorph’ could advance light-based computing
Researchers at New York University have developed a novel hybrid material called "gyromorphs" that could significantly advance light-based computing. Light-driven computers, which use photons instead of electrons, promise faster processing speeds and lower energy consumption, but have been hindered by the challenge of efficiently guiding light signals on chips without loss. This requires isotropic bandgap materials that block stray light uniformly from all directions. Gyromorphs uniquely combine liquid-like disorder with crystal-like patterning, outperforming existing materials—including quasicrystals, which either fully block light from some directions or only partially block it from all directions. The NYU team created gyromorphs through engineered metamaterials with a new form of "correlated disorder," a state between randomness and order, akin to the spatial distribution of trees in a forest. This design approach allowed them to amplify a structural signature common to all isotropic bandgap materials, resulting in a class of materials that exhibit liquid-like randomness alongside regular long-range patterns. These
materialsliquid-crystalsmetamaterialsphotonicslight-based-computingisotropic-bandgapgyromorphsSoft, flexible material that can perform complex calculations developed
Researchers at the FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMOLF) in the Netherlands have developed a novel soft, flexible rubber metamaterial capable of performing complex calculations, specifically matrix-vector multiplications, by exploiting “floppy modes”—movements that require minimal energy. Unlike traditional rigid electronics, this elastic material uses a tile-based design where each tile maps inputs to outputs through controlled deformations of beams and joints, enabling programmable and low-power mechanical computation directly within the material. This approach bypasses the usual energy-consuming conversions between physical signals and digital processing, potentially revolutionizing soft robotics, mechanical sensors, and embedded information processing in soft matter. The metamaterial consists of a rubber sheet patterned into repeating units, with beam angles determining matrix weights that can be positive or negative. Inputs are applied as displacements at the sheet’s edges, and outputs correspond to the computed results. Simulations incorporating finite element modeling and automatic differentiation confirm the material’s ability to perform accurate, low-energy computations. However, performance is
materialssoft-roboticsmetamaterialsmechanical-computinglow-energy-computationmatrix-vector-multiplicationflexible-electronicsUS team's sound-guided drones can fly where cameras fail to see
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) are developing tiny aerial robots that navigate using sound rather than traditional cameras or light sensors, enabling operation in environments with smoke, dust, or darkness where vision-based systems fail. Inspired by the echolocation abilities of bats and birds, the project combines metamaterials to reduce propeller noise, alternative propulsion methods like flapping wings, and bio-inspired designs to improve ultrasonic signal capture and emission. These drones will be compact—under 100 millimeters and 100 grams—and aim to be energy-efficient, affordable, and capable of autonomous navigation in challenging conditions. Funded by a $704,908 National Science Foundation grant over three years starting in September 2025, the project integrates physics-informed deep learning and hierarchical reinforcement learning to process ultrasonic signals and enable obstacle avoidance and goal-directed movement. Sensor fusion combining echolocation with inertial and other data enhances situational awareness and reliability. The research seeks to create deployable drone swarms for search, rescue, and hazardous environment
roboticsdronesmetamaterialsbio-inspired-navigationultrasonic-sensingreinforcement-learningaerial-robotsProgrammable materials create multistable motor-less finger for robotics
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Programmable Materials (CPM) have developed a novel finger joint made from a single piece of programmable metamaterial, called the ProFi (Programmable Multistable Finger) project. This motor-less finger can lock into four stable positions without the need for screws, hinges, or multiple interconnected parts, simplifying the design of hand prostheses and robotic grippers. The finger bends along one axis in 30-degree increments, enabling distinct gripping, resting, or gesturing positions. The design was validated through finite element method simulations to ensure durability and stiffness, and was produced using additive manufacturing techniques like Fused Deposition Modeling and Selective Laser Sintering, allowing for easier customization and assembly-free fabrication. The key innovation lies in the integration of bistable unit cells—elastic beams that snap between stable states without continuous force—within the joint’s internal structure. Using specialized software (ProgMatCode), researchers optimized these cells to create a passive multistable mechanism
programmable-materialsroboticsprostheticsmetamaterials3D-printingmultistable-structuresadditive-manufacturingWorld’s first self-powered spinal implant tracks healing in real time
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, led by Associate Professors Amir Alavi, Nitin Agarwal, and D. Kojo Hamilton, have developed the world’s first self-powered spinal implant designed to monitor healing in real time without batteries or electronics. Funded by a $352,213 NIH R21 grant, this innovative implant uses metamaterials—engineered composites with conductive and non-conductive layers—that harvest energy through contact electrification when pressure is applied. This technology allows the implant to generate its own power and transmit healing data wirelessly to an external electrode and then to the cloud, enabling doctors to remotely track spinal fusion recovery and intervene early if complications arise. The implant is designed to replace traditional spinal fusion monitoring methods, which rely on periodic X-rays and patient-reported symptoms, often requiring in-person visits and exposing patients to radiation. By continuously measuring changes in load-bearing on the implant, the device provides a dynamic signal that decreases as the spine heals and the bone takes on more load.
energymaterialsIoTwireless-sensorsmetamaterialsnano-energy-harvestingmedical-implantsVehicles can get improved crash protection with adaptive metamaterials
Researchers from universities in Scotland and Italy have developed a novel 3D-printed twisting metamaterial designed to improve crash protection in vehicles. Unlike traditional static protective materials, this new material features a unique gyroid lattice structure that twists upon impact, allowing it to mechanically adapt its energy absorption properties. By adjusting boundary conditions, the material can provide either stiffer resistance for heavy collisions or softer cushioning for lighter impacts, all without the need for complex electronics or hydraulics. This adaptive behavior is achieved through mechanical control of rotation, converting compressive forces into torsional motion that dissipates energy efficiently. Manufactured using additive techniques with FE7131 steel, the material’s architecture enables nonlinear responses and geometry-induced torsional actuation, classifying it as a subclass of architected lattices governed by micropolar elasticity. Laboratory tests under both rapid impacts and quasi-static compression demonstrated that constraining the material’s twist maximizes stiffness and energy absorption, reaching up to 15.36 joules per gram. The research,
materialsmetamaterials3D-printingenergy-absorptionautomotive-safetyadaptive-materialsimpact-protectionUS' new robots can snap into hundreds of shapes, work on tough terrains
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new class of flat, motorless robots called "metabots," made from thin polymer sheets with patterned cutouts and coated with responsive thin films. These films act as actuators that respond to electrical or magnetic stimuli, enabling the sheets to snap into hundreds of stable shapes and execute diverse movements such as jumping, crawling, rotating, and grasping. By connecting multiple sheets, the metabots can fold into numerous configurations—up to 256 stable states with four connected units—allowing them to adapt their shape and gait to navigate complex terrains or perform various functions. The metabots leverage multistable thin-shell metastructures that store elastic energy and incorporate piezoelectric materials for controlled vibrations, enhancing their maneuverability and adaptability. This design enables energy-efficient, reconfigurable soft robotic platforms capable of operating in confined environments and performing tasks like noninvasive gripping and multi-gait locomotion. Although still at an early proof-of-concept stage, the
robotsoft-roboticsmetamaterialsadaptive-robotsshape-shifting-robotspiezoelectric-materialsmultistable-structuresSmallest on-chip motors that fit inside a strand of hair developed
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed the smallest on-chip motor to date, featuring gears so tiny they can fit inside a human hair strand. These microscale gears, approximately 0.016 millimeters in diameter, overcome a longstanding size barrier in micromachine technology by using light-powered motion rather than traditional mechanical drive trains. The innovation relies on silicon gears embedded with optical metamaterials that react to laser light, enabling precise, contactless control of gear speed and rotation direction through adjustments in laser intensity and polarization. This approach eliminates the need for bulky mechanical couplings, allowing for highly scalable and integrated micro-gear systems on chips. The light-driven micromotors have potential applications in fields such as medicine and scientific research, where they could be used to manipulate microscopic particles, control light, or operate as pumps and valves within the human body. For instance, these tiny machines—comparable in size to human cells—could regulate fluid flows or perform precise mechanical functions in lab-on-a-chip
micromotorson-chip-motorsmetamaterialsmicrotechnologylight-driven-gearsnanomachinesmicrofabricationScientists map foams for maximum energy absorption and safety
Mechanical engineers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed a novel design framework that significantly streamlines the creation of shock-absorbing foam materials used in protective gear and aerospace applications. Unlike traditional foam design, which focused mainly on maintaining a constant stress plateau and optimizing mechanical properties alone, this new approach simultaneously considers foam thickness, surface area, and mechanical behavior. The researchers found that foams exhibiting nonlinear stress-strain responses can outperform conventional “ideal absorber” foams, especially in compact designs, expanding the design possibilities for energy-absorbing materials. The framework generates a design map based on inputs such as foam thickness, area, and material properties, enabling engineers to customize foams for maximum energy absorption with minimal weight and volume. Demonstrated on vertically aligned carbon nanotube foams, the method allows rapid optimization without extensive trial and error. Freely available online, the framework has broad applicability across various material systems, including metamaterials and soft robotics, and could revolutionize the development of lighter, safer
materialsenergy-absorptionfoam-designshock-absorbing-materialsmetamaterialsprotective-gearlightweight-materialsPrehistoric craft could help make strong metamaterials for robots
Engineers at the University of Michigan have discovered that ancient basket-weaving techniques, dating back approximately 9,500 years, can inspire the creation of resilient and stiff metamaterials for modern applications such as robotics, automotive parts, and architecture. By weaving Mylar polyester ribbons into 3D structures, the researchers demonstrated that woven materials can endure repeated compression and torsion, returning to their original shape without permanent damage. In contrast, continuous (unwoven) materials buckled and deformed under similar stress. This resilience arises because woven designs redistribute stress over a wider area, preventing localized buckling, while maintaining about 70% of the stiffness of continuous materials. The team tested various woven corner arrangements and found that these fundamental modules enable the design of complex, stiff, and resilient spatial geometries. A prototype four-legged robot made from these woven materials could support 25 times its weight and recover its shape after being overloaded, highlighting the practical potential of this approach. Future research aims to develop “smart”
metamaterialsroboticswoven-materialsmaterial-sciencemechanical-engineeringresilience3D-structuresMIT creates shape-changing antenna that survives 10,000 bends
MIT researchers have developed a novel shape-changing “meta-antenna” made from auxetic metamaterials—engineered materials whose properties derive from their geometric structure rather than composition. Unlike traditional rigid metal antennas, this flexible antenna can alter its resonance frequency by physically deforming its shape through bending, stretching, or compressing. This adaptability allows one antenna to support multiple wireless protocols, making it suitable for applications such as wearable device energy transfer, augmented reality motion tracking, and wireless communication. The antenna is constructed by sandwiching a laser-cut dielectric rubber layer between conductive layers, with a flexible acrylic coating to enhance durability, enabling it to withstand over 10,000 compressions. Beyond communication, the meta-antenna’s frequency shifts can serve as a novel sensing mechanism to detect physical environmental changes. For instance, prototypes demonstrated the ability to monitor breathing by sensing chest expansion or to adjust smart curtains and headphones based on deformation-induced frequency changes. A smart headphone prototype showed a 2.6% resonance frequency shift
IoTmetamaterialsflexible-antennawireless-communicationwearable-technologyenergy-transferreconfigurable-antennaChina’s new ‘ghost’ radar may let military operate in total silence
Chinese researchers from the Aerospace Information Research Institute have developed a novel "telepathy" radar system that enables military communication without emitting detectable electromagnetic signals. Unlike traditional radio communications, which broadcast signals that can be intercepted, jammed, or targeted by missile attacks, this new method uses a "smart surface" composed of programmable metamaterial tiles. These tiles modulate and scatter radar echoes from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, encoding data directly into the reflected signals without generating additional emissions. This approach allows combat units to communicate covertly, effectively rendering them "invisible" in electronic warfare scenarios. The system, detailed in the Journal of Radars, operates by switching the metamaterial tiles between two phase states to encode messages, blending the communication seamlessly into the natural electromagnetic background. While still in the laboratory testing phase, this technology promises to significantly reduce detection risks and enhance communication security on the battlefield. If validated in real-world conditions, it could provide Chinese military assets—such as tanks, aircraft, and naval vessels
IoTradar-technologymetamaterialsmilitary-communicationelectromagnetic-stealthsynthetic-aperture-radarsecure-communicationUS student develops sound-based remote tool for ocean robotics
robotIoTunderwater-roboticsmetamaterialsacoustic-wavesremote-controlnon-invasive-tools