Flexible Metamaterial Absorber Research Articles

Experimental demonstration of the performance of flexible metamaterial absorber on planar and cylindrical surface

In this paper, an ultrathin polarization independent conformal metamaterial absorber for planar and cylindrical surface is presented. The proposed structure consists of a periodic array of truncated square patch element in the center with rectangular strips coupled to the edges. It is fabricated on low cost commercially available FR-4 substrate by photolithographic method and the performance of structure is studied for both planar and cylindrical surface configurations. The absorbing structure having a thickness of λ/128, displays angular stability up to 40° for TE polarization and 60° for TM polarization in the planar configuration. In the cylindrical configuration, the performance depends on the radius of curvature, since different elements are illuminated at different angles. This aspect is also studied and reported with experimental results.

Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of a Flexible Dual-Band Metamaterial Absorber

This paper presents the theory, design, simulation, fabrication, and performance of a flexible dual-band MM absorber, which is resonant at microwave frequencies. The sandwich structure of the MM absorber is composed of the periodic array of the T-shaped metallic patches and a continuous metallic plane, which are separated by a middle flexible dielectric layer. The optimized geometric parameters were obtained by numerous simulations using the full wave finite integration technology of CST 2015. The simulated results indicate that the proposed MM absorber has two distinct absorption peaks at 16.77 and 30.92 GHz with the absorption ratio of 98.7% and 99.3%, respectively. The absorber has a thickness of 0.2403 mm, which is only 1/74 and 1/40 of the wavelength for the resonance frequency of 16.77 and 30.92 GHz. The influence of the material's properties and structural curvature on the absorption performance was investigated by numerous simulations. The proposed MM absorber is highly sensitive to the polarization of the incidence EM wave and has good absorption properties over a large range of the incidence angle for the incidence EM wave. The electric field and surface current distributions at two independent resonance frequencies were analyzed for providing insight into the EM wave absorption mechanism. Simulated results show that two different resonance modes are introduced into the single patterned metallic resonance structure to realize the dual-band performance. The laser ablation process was adopted to fabricate the sample of the proposed absorber. Measured results for the normally incident EM wave show an agreement with the simulated results. The fabricated MM absorber shows significant mechanical flexibility and can easily be conformed to the unusual surfaces such as cylindrical, pyramid, and spherical. Furthermore, this design concept can be extended to the other absorber structure and the other frequency bands, therefore, which can greatly enrich the applications in antenna, sensing, thermal image, and detection. For instance, in the design of projectile-borne conformal antenna array, a flexible ultrathin MM absorber can easily be loaded between the antenna and the projectile body to reduce the radiation interference, weaken the coupling loss, and reduce the RCS.

High-impedance surface-based flexible broadband absorber

In this paper, a novel broadband flexible metamaterial absorber, which is based on high impedance surface (HIS), has been investigated. The polarization-insensitive absorber can suppress the backward RCS by about 10 dBm2. Numerically simulated results indicate that the HIS metamaterial absorber (HIS-MA) obtains 11.14 GHz wide absorption from 6.86 to 18 GHz with the absorption over 90%. The results of experiment coincide with simulations, which prove the feasibility of HIS-MA. The flexibility and absorption performance of the HIS-MA is demonstrated by simulating and measuring the absorptivity as the absorber is bended on cylinders, which can obtain some novel properties. The simulated results of bistatic RCS showed that the bistatic RCS of HIS-MA bended on a cylindrical object is reduced by nearly 10 dBm2 compared with the conventional planar HIS-MA. The proposed absorber has more advantages in conformal applications than ordinary rigid absorber in its stealth property.

A flexible metamaterial absorber with four bands and two resonators

Abstract An efficient approach for achieving more resonance bands with fewer resonators is proposed in this paper. We investigate the theory, design, simulation, fabrication, and performance of a flexible metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) with two resonators and four resonances located in GHz and THz ranges. The sandwich microstructure of the MPA consists of periodic “回” shaped metal patches on a metasurface, a dielectric of FR4 board on the interlayer, and a continuous copper film on the substrate. The four peaks of absorptivity owing to the coupling effect of the strong LC and surface resonance of the outer ring resonator as well as the strong LC and surface resonance of the inner ring resonator are 93.887%, 99.479%, 98.296%, and 93.035% at 38.165 GHz, 155.48 GHz, 231.71 GHz, and 275.27 GHz, respectively. The influences on absorptivity produced by angles, dimensions, and materials are also studied. The proposed MPA, equipped with strong flexibility, ultrathin thickness, light weight, strong absorption, sparks inspirations in designing the MPA with more resonances and fewer resonators.

Design and Development of Expanded Graphite-Based Non-metallic and Flexible Metamaterial Absorber for X-band Applications

The possibility of using expanded graphite instead of a metallic layer as unit cells and ground planes for metamaterial absorbers in X-band is investigated. A metamaterial absorber was fabricated on a flexible linear low-density polyethylene substrate using an expanded graphite-based circular ring as the unit cell structure. The unit cell was simulated and optimized for which the metamaterial absorber exhibited 98.9% absorption at 11.22 GHz. The fabricated expanded graphite-based absorber showed a reflection loss of −24.51 dB at 11.56 GHz with −10 dB bandwidth of 0.39 GHz (3.37%). The performance of the same structure with copper was also measured. The expanded graphite-based metamaterial absorber showed enhanced performance as compared to the copper-based metamaterial absorber. The width of the ring was varied to tune the reflection loss. The proposed expanded graphite-based metamaterial absorber possesses the advantages of being ultra-thin, flexible and non-corrosive.

Flexible subterahertz metamaterial absorber fabrication using inkjet printing technology

In this study, a flexible metamaterial (MM) absorber was designed at 0.1 THz and fabricated using inkjet printing technology. The unit cell of the MM absorber was designed using a finite element method-based full-wave simulation. The unit cell comprised square rings, and it was printed with silver nanoparticle ink on flexible Kapton polyimide film. The fabrication processes were performed using a material printer. The absorber’s reflection coefficient was measured using a vector network analyzer and a WR-10 waveguide. The absorption ratio was 93.5 % at 0.102 THz. Therefore, we demonstrated the possibility of inkjet printing at a subterahertz band.

Investigation of robust flexible conformal THz perfect metamaterial absorber

The flexible metamaterials have promised to greatly expand our ability to realize a wide range of novel applications including new methods of sensing and cloaking. In this work, flexible metamaterial absorbers, targeted to operate at terahertz frequencies, have been designed, simulated, and fabricated. The absorber structure consisted of a conducting ground plane, a dielectric spacer, and a frequency selective surface which was composed of two layers of nonconcentric, differently sized, single-ring arrays. Absorber structure was designed and simulated such that absorbers exhibited two distinct resonance frequencies with the strength of absorption for both sensitive to the center-to-center spacing of the rings and polarization. The functionality of the absorbers was seen to be similar both in planar and deformed positions, which promises robustness of the conformal flexible metamaterials device under the deformation and uneven surfaces.

원격 화학 센서로 활용 가능한 플렉서블 미세유체 메타물질 흡수체

본 논문에서는 원격 화학 센서로 활용 가능한 플렉서블 미세유체 메타물질 흡수체를 제안한다. 제안된 흡수체는 잉크젯 프린팅 기법으로 종위 기판 위에 인쇄한 분할고리공진기(SRCR: Split Ring Cross Resonator)와 Polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) 기판에 레이저 식각된 미세유체 채널로 구성되어 있어 매우 유연한 특징을 보인다. 본 연구에서 제안한 메타물질 흡수체는 미세유체 채널에 주입된 화학물질에 따른 실효 유전율의 변화를 공진주파수의 이동으로 감지할 수 있다. 제안된 흡수체는 시뮬레이션과 측정을 통하여 성능을 검증하였다. 측정 결과, 공기의 경우에는 10.49 GHz에서 흡수가 되었고, 에탄올과 탈이온수의 경우에는 각각 10.04 GHz와 8.9 GHz에서 흡수체로 동작함을 확인할 수 있었다. In this paper, a novel flexible microfluidic metamaterial absorber is proposed for remote chemical sensor applications. The proposed metamaterial absorber consists of a periodic of split-ring-cross resonators(SRCRs) and a microfluidic channel. The SRCR patterns are inkjet-printed using silver nanoparticle inks on paper. The microfluidic channels are laser-etched on polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) material. The proposed absorber can detect change of the effective permittivity at different liquids. Therefore, the absorber can be used for a remote chemical sensor by detecting change of the resonant frequencies. The performance of the proposed absorber is demonstrated with full-wave simulation and measurement results. The experimental results shows that the resonant frequency is 10.49 GHz at the empty channel. When ethanol and DI-water are injected into the channel, the resonant frequencies are 10.04 GHz and 8.9 GHz, respectively.

Designing flexible and versatile metamaterial absorbers

Absorbers play an important role in protecting sensitive electronic devices from electromagnetic interference by absorbing the energy of incoming waves and reducing unnecessary reflection or transmission. In this paper we introduce new types of absorbers based on periodic structures, or the so-called metamaterials, which give us additional degrees of freedom to design the absorbing performance of absorbers with reduced thicknesses. Specifically, we demonstrate two types of metamaterial absorbers: one allowing us to customize absorption and other scattering parameters at selected frequencies; another absorbing only high-power microwaves and transmitting small signals even at the same frequency to maintain wireless communications. These metamaterial absorbers are expected to facilitate solving modern, complex EM interference issues where different-interdependent requirements exist.

Experimental realization of ultrathin, double-sided metamaterial perfect absorber at terahertz gap through stochastic design process.

We design and demonstrate a flexible, ultrathin and double-sided metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) at 2.39 terahertz (THz), which enables excellent light absorbance under incidences from two opposite sides. Herein, the MPA is fabricated on a λ0/10.1-thick flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate of εr = 2.75 × (1 + 0.12i), sandwiched by two identical randomized metallic patterns by our stochastic design process. Such an MPA provides tailored permittivity and permeability to approach the impedance of free space for minimizing reflectance and a great imaginary part of the refractive index for reducing transmittance and finally results in high absorbance. Both experimental measurement and numerical simulation are in a good agreement. The flexible, ultrathin and double-sided MPA significantly differs from traditional quarter-wavelength absorbers and other single-sided perfect absorbers, paving a way toward practical THz applications in thermal emission, sensing and imaging, communications, stealth technique, and even energy harvesting.

Multispectral terahertz sensing with highly flexible ultrathin metamaterial absorber

We report the simulation, fabrication, and experimental characterization of a multichannel metamaterial absorber with the aim to be used as a label-free sensing platform in the terahertz regime. The topology of the investigated resonators deposited on a thin flexible polymer by means of optical lithography is capable of supporting multiple resonances over a broad frequency range due to the individual contribution of each sub-element of the unit cell. In order to explore the performance of the chosen structure in terms of sensing phenomenon, the reflection feature is monitored upon variation of the refractive index and the thickness of the analyte. We achieve numerically maximum frequency sensitivity of about 139.2 GHz/refractive index unit. Measurements carried out using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy show good agreement with the numerical predictions. The results are very promising, suggesting a potential use of the metamaterial absorber in wide variety of multispectral terahertz sensing applications.

Flexible liquid metal-filled metamaterial absorber on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

In this paper, we propose a novel flexible metamaterial (MM) absorber. The conductive pattern consists of liquid metal eutectic gallium indium alloy (EGaIn) enclosed in elastomeric microfluidic channels. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material is used as a supporting substrate. The proposed MM absorber is flexible because of its liquid metal and PDMS substrate. Numerical simulations and experimental results are presented when the microfluidic channels are filled with liquid metal. In order to evaluate the proposed MM absorber's performance, the fabricated absorber prototype is tested with rectangular waveguides. Almost perfect absorptivity is achieved at a resonant frequency of 8.22 GHz.

A Thin C-Band Polarization and Incidence Angle-Insensitive Metamaterial Perfect Absorber.

A novel metamaterial absorber design able to operate in the C frequency band is presented, along with an analysis and a method to improve both its bandwidth and its angular stability. Simulation results for a FR4-based design are shown for comparison with existing designs. In addition, a simplified equivalent circuit is provided for a better understanding of the great angular stability and wide bandwidth exhibited by the proposed structure. Moreover, simulations, manufacturing and measurements of a thinner and more flexible metamaterial absorber, keeping the angular stability of the former one, while providing a wide bandwidth, are presented.

Flexible inkjet-printed metamaterial absorber for coating a cylindrical object.

In this paper, a novel flexible inkjet-printed metamaterial absorber is proposed. The unit cell of the metamaterial is designed with a modified Jerusalem-cross ring resonator and is inkjet printed with silver nanoparticle ink on a flexible polymer film. All fabrication processes are performed using a commercial printer (EPSON WF-7011). The absorber's flexibility and absorption performance are demonstrated by measuring the absorption ratio after coating the proposed absorber on a cylindrical object with a radius of 4.56 cm. An absorption rate exceeding 99% is achieved at 9.21 GHz for both flat and cylindrical surfaces. In addition, the cylindrical model attains an absorption rate higher than 96% for all polarization angles, and a high absorption rate of 95% is preserved until the incident angle is less than 30þ.

Silver Nanoparticle-Based Inkjet-Printed Metamaterial Absorber on Flexible Paper

In this letter, a novel, flexible inkjet-printed metamaterial absorber is proposed. The unit cell consists of a miniaturized Jerusalem-cross resonator and a completely conductive bottom. Because the conductive patterns are inkjet-printed using silver nanoparticle inks on paper, the proposed metamaterial absorber is flexible. It is also eco-friendly because it does not produce any chemical waste. In this letter, the working principle of the proposed miniaturized unit cell is explained, and parametric simulations are described. The inkjet-printing process is delineated, and the silver nanoparticle inks and paper used are characterized. The performance of the proposed absorber is demonstrated with a full-wave simulation and measurements at the X-band. The experimental results show that the absorption rate at 9.09 GHz is greater than 99% at the normal incidence. Angular and polarization insensitivity are also experimentally demonstrated.

Flexible metamaterial absorbers with multi-band infrared response

A flexible metamaterial with a tri-layer metal-dielectric-metal structure is fabricated by combining Excimer laser micromachining of a polyimide sheet and oblique angle physical vapour deposition methods. Excimer laser micromachining is used to generate an array of micro-disks on the flexible polymer sheet followed by physical vapour deposition at normal incidence to produce continuous metal and dielectric layers while oblique angle deposition of metal vapour is used to finally form discrete oblate ellipsoids on top of the micro-disks. The fabricated metamaterial shows multi-band metamaterial absorption exceeding 90% simultaneously over infrared bands centred at 3 µm, 5 µm, and 13.85 µm. The multi-band absorption arises due to multipole resonances of the disk structure and is accurately modelled by electromagnetic simulation as well. A theoretical model of a perfect absorber as an array of optimally impedance matched antennas is also presented.

Flexible and elastic metamaterial absorber for low frequency, based on small-size unit cell

Using a planar and flexible metamaterial (MM), we obtained the low-frequency perfect absorption even with very small unit-cell size in snake-shape structure. These shrunken, deep-sub-wavelength and thin MM absorbers were numerically and experimentally investigated by increasing the inductance. The periodicity/thickness (the figure of merit for perfect absorption) is achieved to be 10 and 2 for single-snake-bar and 5-snake-bar structures, respectively. The ratio between periodicity and resonance wavelength (in mm) is close to 1/12 and 1/30 at 2 GHz and 400 MHz, respectively. The absorbers are specially designed for absorption peaks around 2 GHz and 400 MHz, which can be used for depressing the electromagnetic noise from everyday electronic devices and mobile phones.

Flexible metamaterial absorbers for stealth applications at terahertz frequencies

We have wrapped metallic cylinders with strongly absorbing metamaterials. These resonant structures, which are patterned on flexible substrates, smoothly coat the cylinder and give it an electromagnetic response designed to minimize its radar cross section. We compare the normal-incidence, small-beam reflection coefficient with the measurement of the far-field bistatic radar cross section of the sample, using a quasi-planar THz wave with a beam diameter significantly larger than the sample dimensions. In this geometry we demonstrate a near-400-fold reduction of the radar cross section at the design frequency of 0.87 THz. In addition we discuss the effect of finite sample dimensions and the spatial dependence of the reflection spectrum of the metamaterial.