A bio-inspired broadband absorption metamaterial: Driven by dual-structure synergistically induced current vortices

Abstract

The performance breakthroughs of some stealth materials have benefited from incorporating biomimetic concepts, and the design ideas of wave-absorbing metamaterials have been greatly broadened. However, stealth materials developed based on a single biological structure still have limitations regarding overall performance and design freedom. Herein, a dual-structure element combination model with a butterfly-wing porous structure and moth-eye raised structure arranged in an orderly manner is established. Carbonyl iron and polyurethane are mixed as wave absorbents, and the model is utilized to make a biomimetic metamaterial (CSMA), which has an absorption rate of more than 90 % at 6.07–18 GHz, achieving broadband effective absorption. It has been verified that the two biostructures designed after an ordered arrangement show synergistic effects in the combined model, and the cooperation between the structures induces the formation of current vector vortices, which are able to induce microwave losses to broaden the effective absorbing bandwidth. Further, the model has the combined application performance of polarization insensitivity, strong stability of oblique incidence, and low bistatic RCS. Such a thought based on the combination of multiple components provides an effective strategy for the design of broadband-absorbing metamaterials.