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The concept of metamaterials was first proposed by Victor Vesalago in 1967. Since then, the field has undergone significant expansion and evolution.
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Metamaterials are modified materials, so they have properties that don't occur naturally. This manufacturing process makes them highly specific for specific functions. Here, an overview of this unique material will be discussed and a fascinating discovery made by scientists at the University of North Carolina will be discussed.
Metamaterials are manufactured using composite materials such as plastic or metal, which can manipulate electromagnetic waves to provide them with extraordinary electromagnetic properties. This phenomenon is due to their precise micro and nano structure design and arrangement rather than actual bulk materials.
Specifically, the structure of metamaterials involves dimensions and spacing smaller than the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. As a result, the metamaterial can have a negative refractive index. Here, light or other radiation bends back when entering the metamaterial structure-natural materials have a positive refractive index. In 2001, Robert Shelby proved negative refraction through experiments for the first time.
Due to its unique electromagnetic properties, metamaterials have a wide variety of potential applications in various industries. An example currently used is antennas, because they can significantly enhance their ability to radiate energy by reducing energy loss. But it is worth noting that mass production is difficult to achieve.
Metamaterial antennas are used in the wireless communications, global positioning system (GPS) and spacecraft navigation industries. Although they can be applied in other fields, such as sound filtering, invisible devices or improving solar cells, further research must be done before this becomes a commercial reality.
A team of researchers from the University of North Carolina conducted research that led to the creation of a metamaterial inspired by the natural blood vessel network found in living organisms. The metamaterial is made of structural epoxy resin reinforced with glass fibers. The potential uses of this innovation can already be seen, such as participating in the active cooling of various machinery such as airplanes and electric cars. The research was published in the journal Advanced Materials Technology on August 16, 2021.
3D printing is not only used to make glass fibers with blood vessels, but also for many other innovations. For example, a team from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Nanyang produced a chain armor that can be hardened as needed to inspire the University of Textile Technology ( NTU).
The main advantage of vascularized glass fiber is that it can change the thermal and electromagnetic properties: by letting water flow through it, the thermal properties can be changed, and by using liquid metal alloys, the electromagnetic properties can be changed. In addition, the materials produced are cost-effective and much lighter than current cooling systems.
The field of metamaterials is a progressive industry with many exciting industrial applications. The ability to modify its properties, such as precise control of its refractive index, can find new applications in a wide range of fields.
Before achieving this goal, further research must be conducted in order to fully utilize the potential of metamaterials and have a significant positive impact on a global scale. Nevertheless, the use of technologies such as 3D printing to accelerate the development of new materials such as vascularized glass fibers can realize the potential of metamaterials to revolutionize a range of industries.
Devi, U., Pejman, R., Phillips, ZJ, Zhang, P., Soghrati, S., Nakshatrala, KB, Najafi, AR, Schab, KR and Patrick, JF (2021) A microvascular-based multifunctional and Reconfigurable Metamaterials. Advanced Materials Technology, p. 2100433. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202100433
3D printing industry. (2021) Engineers use new 3D printing metamaterials for active cooling and radio frequency communication. [Online] Available at: https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/engineers-enable-active-cooling-and-rf-communications-with-new-3d-printed-metamaterial-195745/
Askari, M., etc. (2020) Additive manufacturing of metamaterials: a review. Additive Manufacturing, 36, p. 101562. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2020.101562
Atria innovation. (2020) What is metamaterial? Attributes, benefits, and where they can be used. [Online] Available at: https://www.atriainnovation.com/en/what-are-metamaterials-properties-benefits-and-in-which-fields-can-they-be-used/
Ma, HF, Hu, S., Ma, YG, Lai, Y. and Esselle, K. (2015) Application of metamaterials. International Journal of Antennas and Propagation, 2015, pages 1-2. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/729617
Nader Engheta, Ziolkowski, RW and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (2006) Metamaterials: Physics and Engineering Exploration. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley-Interscience.
Nanowerk.com. (2021) Explain metamaterials and metasurfaces-properties and applications. [Online] Available at: https://www.nanowerk.com/what-are-metamaterials.php
Oliveri, G., Werner, D. and Massa, A. (2015) Realizing reconfigurable electromagnetics through metamaterials-a review. IEEE Proceedings, 103(7), pp. 1034-1056. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2015.2394292
Wu, B., Wang, W., Pacheco, J., Chen, X., Grzegorczyk, T. and Kong, J., (2005) Research on using metamaterials as antenna substrates to increase gain. Progress in Electromagnetics, 51, pp. 295-328. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.2528/PIER04070701
Zhang, X. (2016) Metamaterials. [Online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/metamaterial
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Raheela Khan graduated from the University of Manchester with a Master of Materials Science and Engineering (Hons). Through her studies, she became interested in scientific writing, especially writing about nanotechnology, biotechnology, and other fields of materials science.
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