Reconfigurable Metamaterials Research Articles

Electrothermally actuated network metamaterials with reconfigurable bending deformation modes

Reconfigurable metamaterials with specific deformation modes show great promise in applications such as multifunctional antenna, stretchable electronic device, and reconfigurable soft robot, due to their ability to achieve multiple operational states within a single system. Previous researches on active metamaterials with bending deformation responses revealed two main issues: (1) achieving reconfigurable deformation within the same metamaterial is challenging due to the reliance on uniform external field actuation; and (2) there is a lack of in-depth studies on the microstructure-property relationships for the bending deformation responses of network metamaterials due to the lack of theoretical analysis. To address these issues, this study presents a mechanical design strategy for an electrothermally actuated network metamaterials to realize reconfigurable bending deformation. A theoretical model describing the electrothermally actuated bending deformation responses is developed through a three-level analysis, which offers a comprehensive understanding of the parameter-property relationships and accurately describes the bending deformation behaviors. The validity of these mechanical models is confirmed through finite element analyses (FEAs) and experimental results. These mechanical models provide analytical solutions for crucial mechanical quantities, including the electrothermally actuated bending angles and effective strains for bending deformation responses. The bending behaviors of the reconfigurable metamaterials under electrothermal actuation can be adjusted by the key nondimensional geometric parameters and the actuation strategies. Additionally, experimental results and FE calculations demonstrate that multiple bending responses can be realized within a single metamaterial by different actuation strategies. This study offers comprehensive guideline from theoretical predictions, FE calculations, and experimental demonstrations for future researched of reconfigurable metamaterials to realize required deformation behaviors.

Reconfigurable topological gradient metamaterials and potential applications

Elastic topological metamaterials are innovative fields of the fusion of physics and mechanics. Through novel microstructural designs, elastic topological metamaterials provide a pioneering approach to precisely manipulate elastic waves, maintaining robustness and efficiency in wave propagation even within complex environments. Recent advancements in reconfigurability and gradient features have significantly enriched the mechanical phenomena of wave manipulation, broadening the application potential of elastic topological metamaterials. In this study, we design the local resonant phononic crystal, employing a spiral support structure to ensure low-frequency characteristics and adjustable mass for flexible configuration. By utilizing the designed lattices with distinct topological phases, the topological valley edge states are constructed. The frequency and group velocity variation of the topological edge states under different stiffness and mass parameters are analyzed. Furthermore, we further constructed the mass and stiffness gradient metamaterial to analyze the transmission law of elastic waves in topological metamaterials. Additionally, the fluctuation features of the wave transmittance under disordered and impurity defects were discussed, confirming the robustness of waveguides within low-frequency topological metamaterials. Finally, we explored the potential applications of the designed metamaterials in energy localization and low-frequency reconfigurable waveguides. Numerical analysis showed that the topological gradient metamaterials can enhance the vibration energy at a specific interface, and low-frequency bend waveguide paths can be adjusted flexibly by configurable mass. In summary, this paper focuses on the low-frequency and gradient features of elastic topological metamaterials, aiming to unlock their application potential in vibrational energy harvesting, vibration suppression, and information transmission, which accelerate the practical implementation of topological metamaterials.

Intelligent Reversible Reconfigurable Metamaterials Based on a Two-Way Shape Memory Polymer.

The development of intelligent reversible reconfigurable metamaterials has great significance in constructing three-dimensional metamaterials and introducing reversible tunability into metamaterials. Here, we introduce an intelligent metamaterial consisting of a two-way shape memory polymer (2W-SMP) ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) actuator substrate and a patterned flexible-rigid film. Mechanical buckling of the 2W-SMP substrate was controlled by thermal stimulation. This makes it possible to afford an ability to initiate 3D structure formation or shape reconfiguration remotely in an on-demand fashion. In addition, the shape of the 2W-SMP substrate is temperature-dependent, allowing repeatable reversible deformation through temperature control after a single programming. Therefore, the electromagnetic properties of metamaterials can also be repeatedly and reversibly tuned between 9.15 and 10.82 GHz. Experimental demonstrations include the deformation and tunable electromagnetic properties of intelligent reversible reconfigurable metamaterial cells. The results create many opportunities for advanced programmable three-dimensional metamaterials.

Rubik’s cube as in-situ programmable matter and a reconfigurable mechanical metamaterial

Rubik’s cube as in-situ programmable matter and a reconfigurable mechanical metamaterial

Stretchable complementary split-ring resonator using liquid metal and its application for cavity optomagnonics

Split-ring resonators (SRRs) and complementary split-ring resonators (CSRRs) are widely used in microwave devices. Considering its advantages of fluidity, high metallic conductivity, and extreme deformability, liquid metal is expected to enrich the tunability of SRR and CSRR. Here, a stretchable resonator based on CSRR, using liquid metal as the conducting layer and Ecoflex as the dielectric layer, is prepared by 3D printing. From the transmission spectra, we find that the resonant frequency can be continuously tuned from 3.77 to 3.40 GHz by stretching the resonator, which exhibits a stable quality factor, high ductility, excellent stretchability, and linearity. We then study the coupling between magnons in a yttrium iron garnet film and microwave photons in CSRRs. The anti-crossing effects are observed in transmission coefficient spectra by changing either the strength of the magnetic field or the size of the CSRR. The coupling strength g/2π is determined to be 63 MHz at a coupling frequency of 3.77 GHz and magnetic field of 800 Oe. Our findings could promote the development of reconfigurable metamaterials and cavity optomagnonics.

Ultra‐Broadband and Reconfigurable Liquid‐Based Microwave Metasurface Absorber

Liquids, with their advantages of fluidity, ease of shaping, and tunability, have exhibited promising potential in the creation of reconfigurable metamaterials (MMs). Water, being the ubiquitous liquid and cost‐effective resource on Earth, has been utilized for the construction of liquid‐based microwave metasurface absorber (MSA). However, due to the challenges associated with integrating microfluidics with MMs in both design and manufacturing, current MSs exhibit narrow frequency bands, particularly constrained at lower frequencies. Herein, a reconfigurable solid–liquid composite of liquid‐based MSs, utilizing the interbedded structure of cones, is proposed for ultra‐wideband microwave absorption. When water is used as the filling medium, the absorption rate exceeds 90% across a wide frequency range from 5.9 to 50 GHz. Upon substitution with ionic liquids, the frequency range demonstrating absorption efficiency exceeding 90% extends from 3.3 to 50 GHz. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the designed MSA demonstrates exceptional stability when subjected to oblique incidence and shows a high degree of insensitivity to polarization, highlighting its robust applicability. The low‐cost, easily manufacturable, and ultra‐wideband liquid‐based MSA holds promising potential for applications in radar countermeasures, energy harvesting, radiation protection, and other related fields.

An AI-assisted terahertz reconfigurable metamaterial in standard 180-nm CMOS

For large-scale terahertz (THz) reconfigurable metamaterials (RM), each unit element needs to be controlled by an independent voltage source. This leads to a huge solution space for control words to achieve the required RM performance specification. In this paper, we propose a fast AI-assisted control-word generation scheme to reduce the computation cost of electromagnetic (EM) simulations (Forward Model) and to speed up iterations for control word searches (Inverse Model). We demonstrate the effectiveness of our models by designing and fabricating a 12 × 9 RM array with a Bi-layer Bi-Split-Ring Resonator structure (B-BSRR) in standard 180 nm CMOS technology. The terahertz RM can be electrically reconfigured, providing active metamaterials with an amplitude modulation depth of around 0–1.7 dB at 0.49 THz. The results show that our Forward Model can predict the S-parameters between 100 GHz and 800 GHz with a mean absolute error of 0.61 dB. Our method is more than 200 times faster than traditional full-wave simulation methods. The Inverse Model can generate required control words within a 1.3 dB error margin in less than 200 iterations.

Agile Inverse Design of Polarization-Independent Multi-Functional Reconfiguration Metamaterials Based on Doped VO2.

Increasing attention is being paid to the application potential of multi-functional reconfigurable metamaterials in intelligent communication, sensor networks, homeland security, and other fields. A polarization-independent multi-functional reconfigurable metasurface based on doped vanadium dioxide (VO2) is proposed in this paper. It can be controlled to switch its function among three working modes: electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA), electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), and asymmetrical absorption. In addition, deep learning tools have greatly accelerated the design of relevant devices. Such devices and the method proposed in this paper have important value in the field of intelligent reconfigurable metamaterials, communication, and sensing.

Reconfigurable mechanism-based metamaterials for ternary-coded elastic wave polarizers and programmable refraction control

Elastic metamaterials with unusual elastic properties offer unprecedented ways to modulate the polarization and propagation of elastic waves. However, most of them rely on the resonant structural components, and thus are frequency-dependent and unchangeable. Here, we present a reconfigurable 2D mechanism-based metamaterial which possesses transformable and frequency-independent elastic properties. Based on the proposed mechanism-based metamaterial, interesting functionalities, such as ternary-coded elastic wave polarizer and programmable refraction, are demonstrated. Particularly, unique ternary-coded polarizers, with 1-trit polarization filtering and 2-trit polarization separating of longitudinal and transverse waves, are first achieved. Then, the strong anisotropy of the proposed metamaterial is harnessed to realize positive-negative bi-refraction, only-positive refraction, and only-negative refraction. Finally, the wave functions with detailed microstructures are numerically verified.

Topological edge states in reconfigurable multi-stable mechanical metamaterials

Multi-stable mechanical structures find cutting-edge applications across various domains due to their reconfigurability, which offers innovative possibilities for engineering and technology advancements. This study explores the emergence of topological states in a one-dimensional chain-like multi-stable mechanical metamaterial composed of bistable units through a combination of mechanical and optical experiments. Drawing inspiration from the SSH (Su-Schrieffer-Heeger) model in condensed matter physics, we leverage the unique mechanical properties of the reconfigurable ligament-oscillator metamaterial to engineer a system with coexisting topological phases. Based on the one-dimensional periodic bistable chain, there is an exponential decay diffusion of elastic energy from both end boundaries towards the interior of the body. Experimental characterizations demonstrate the existence of stable topological phases within the reconfigurable multi-stable mechanical metamaterial. The findings underscore the potential of reconfigurable mechanical metamaterials as versatile platforms for flexibly exploring and manipulating topological phenomena, with applications ranging from impact resistance to energy harvesting and information processing.

Bandgap formation in topological metamaterials with spatially modulated resonators

Within the field of elastic metamaterials, topological metamaterials have recently received much attention due to their ability to host topologically robust edge states. Introducing local resonators to these metamaterials also opens the door for many applications such as energy harvesting and reconfigurable metamaterials. However, the interactions between phenomena from local resonance and modulation patterning are currently unknown. This work fills that gap by studying multiple cases of spatially modulated metamaterials with local resonators to reveal the mechanisms behind bandgap formation. Their dispersion relations are determined analytically for infinite chains and validated numerically using eigenvalue analysis. The inverse method is used to determine the imaginary wavenumber components from which each bandgap is characterized by its formation mechanism. The topological nature of the bandgaps is also explored through calculating the Chern number and integrated density of states. The band structures are obtained for various sources of modulation as well as multiple resonator parameters to illustrate how both local resonance and modulation patterning interact together to influence the band structure. Other unique features of these metamaterials are further demonstrated through the mode shapes obtained using the eigenvectors. The results reveal a complex band structure that is highly tunable, and the observations given here can be used to guide designers in choosing resonator parameters and patterning to fit a variety of applications.

Smart reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterials based on thermadapt shape memory Poly(ethylene–vinyl acetate)

Smart reconfigurable metamaterials can better adapt to changing electromagnetic environments and broaden the range of applications. However, constructing electromagnetic reconfigurable metamaterials, especially those with large areas or applied to complex surfaces via a universal approach, is still a challenge. Here, we introduce a smart reconfigurable metamaterial consisting of a thermadapt shape memory polymer ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) matrix and a flowable liquid–metal resonant unit. Based on the excellent self-healing properties of EVA, large-area metamaterials can be constructed by thermal assembly of metamaterial units. In addition, the original shape of the metamaterial can be reprogrammed to apply to complex three-dimensional surfaces with the reprocessing properties of EVA. Moreover, by utilizing the shape memory performance of the EVA, the temporary resonant frequency of the metamaterial can be set by programming and the resonant frequency tuning of the metamaterial can be controlled under external temperature stimulation, achieving noncontact tuning. In the future, this concept can be broadly applied in fields such as complex structure stealth layers and multifunction filters.

Reconfigurable piezoelectric metamaterial for selective noise directivity

This work explores strategies to change the directivity of sound radiated from an oscillating metamaterial plate. To this end, the vibro-acoustic behavior of a plate that hosts an array of piezoelectric unit cells, whose inductive shunt resonance frequencies can assume different predefined configurations in space, is numerically investigated. The effects of such configurations on (i) the structural normal velocity of the plate, (ii) the hemispherical acoustic field estimated based on Rayleigh’s integral, and (iii) the non-negative acoustic intensity are discussed. The numerical results show that simple changes in the unit cell’s tuning configuration in space can reduce, totally attenuate, or enhance the sound radiated in specific directions, findings that may pave the way to the use of reconfigurable metamaterials as effective systems for selective radiated noise directivity.

Pumping with symmetry

Re-configurable materials and meta-materials can jump between space symmetry classes during their deformations. Here, we introduce the concept of singular symmetry enhancement, which refers to an abrupt jump to a higher symmetry class accompanied by an un-avoidable reduction in the number of dispersion bands of the excitations of the material. Such phenomenon prompts closings of some of the spectral resonant gaps along singular manifolds in a parameter space. In this work, we demonstrate that these singular manifolds can carry topological charges. As a concrete example, we show that a deformation of an acoustic crystal that encircles a configuration of an array of cavity resonators results in an adiabatic cycle that carries a Chern number in the bulk and displays Thouless pumping at the edges. This points to a very general guiding principle for recognizing cyclic adiabatic processes with high potential for topological pumping in complex materials and meta-materials, which rests entirely on symmetry arguments.

4D printing of customizable and reconfigurable mechanical metamaterials

Customizable and reconfigurable mechanical behavior is critical for self-adaptive low-frequency vibration isolators operating in dynamic environments. Herein, the mechanical metamaterials with customizable and configurable geometries, material stiffnesses, cushioning properties, and vibration isolation capabilities are fabricated using a 4D printed multi-material system. The metastructure is characterized by the connection of a flexural beam structure and a collapsible straw structure. At the unit level, the stiffness characteristics are analyzed by geometric and theoretical mechanical models. The effect of geometric parameters and material composition on the stiffness behavior of multi-material metamaterials is investigated. Metamaterials' customizable and configurable characteristics are examined by the quasi-static compression mechanical properties, cushion performances, and vibration isolation capabilities under varying geometric parameters and material compositions. Finally, the reprogrammable stiffness of the metamaterial is demonstrated through the modification of geometric parameters utilizing the shape memory properties in 4D printing. The customizable and configurable metamaterials inspire the next generation of cushioning and vibration isolators, holding significant promise for applications demanding superior vibration isolation performances in dynamic environments.

Design and Implementation of a Flexible Electromagnetic Actuator for Tunable Terahertz Metamaterials.

Actuators play a crucial role in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and hold substantial potential for applications in various domains, including reconfigurable metamaterials. This research aims to design, fabricate, and characterize structures for the actuation of the EMA. The electromagnetic actuator overcomes the lack of high drive voltage required by other actuators. The proposed actuator configuration comprises supporting cantilever beams with fixed ends, an integrated coil positioned above the cantilever's movable plate, and a permanent magnet located beneath the cantilever's movable plate to generate a static magnetic field. Utilizing flexible polyimide, the fabrication process of the EMA is simplified, overcoming limitations associated with silicon-based micromachining techniques. Furthermore, this approach potentially enables large-scale production of EMA, with displacement reaching up to 250 μm under a 100 mA current, thereby expanding their scope of applications in manufacturing. To demonstrate the function of the EMA, we integrated it with a metamaterial structure to form a compact, tunable terahertz absorber, demonstrating a potential for reconfigurable electromagnetic space.

Atomic Structure and Dynamics of Unusual and Wide‐Gap Phase‐Change Chalcogenides: A GeTe2 Case

Brain‐inspired computing, reconfigurable optical metamaterials, photonic tensor cores, and many other advanced applications require next‐generation phase change materials (PCMs) with better energy efficiency and a wider thermal and spectral range for reliable operations. Germanium ditelluride (GeTe2), with higher thermal stability and a larger bandgap compared to current benchmark PCMs, appears promising for THz metasurfaces and the controlled crystallization of atomically thin 2D materials. Using high‐energy X‐ray diffraction supported by first‐principles simulation, we investigate the atomic structure in semiconducting pulsed laser deposition films and metallic high‐temperature liquids. The results suggest that the structural and chemical metastability of GeTe2, leading to disproportionation into GeTe and Te, is related to high internal pressure during a semiconductor‐metal transition, presumably occurring in the supercooled melt. Similar phenomena are expected for canonical GeS2 and GeSe2 under high temperatures and pressures.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Electrically Tunable Strong Optical Nonlinearity in Near‐Infrared by Coupled Metallic Quantum Wells

AbstractAn electrically tunable nonlinear optical device working at near‐infrared wavelength is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. Ultrahigh optical second‐order nonlinearity from titanium‐nitride‐based coupled metallic quantum wells can be electrically tuned by external electric field. Tunability of second‐order susceptibility χ(2) reaches a 63% modulation depth with an average tunability of 10.5% per volt. In addition, electro‐optic modulation of second‐harmonic signal is presented by continuous tuning of χ(2) over a long period of time with high stability. These results provide a new material platform with actively controllable strong nonlinearity for future nonlinear photonic systems, such as ultra‐compact opto‐electronic modulation devices and reconfigurable nonlinear metamaterials and metasurfaces.

Controllable Wrinkling Inspired Multifunctional Metamaterial for Near‐Field and Holographic Displays

AbstractTunable electromagnetic (EM) metamaterials have received significant attention due to their compelling advantages of integration and minimization compared with conventional bulky devices. Meanwhile, mechanically reconfigurable metamaterials have witnessed a striving period over recent years due to their simplified structural composition and confined modulation capabilities. Here, a controllable‐wrinkling‐based reconfiguration method is proposed to design split‐ring resonant units with dynamic transmittance spectra by switching between planar and wrinkling morphologies. For the linear polarized incidence, the geometries of planar and wrinkled units are optimized to achieve on‐demanded manipulation of the phases and amplitudes, respectively. By simultaneously implementing the amplitude design and the phase gradient, the mechanically inspired metamaterial is engineered to display a near‐field and a holographic image. For circularly polarized incidences, the spin‐decoupled phases and chiral effects demonstrated in the planar and wrinkled state assist in designing a metamaterial to possess spin‐multiplexed and strain‐modulated fourfold displays. These results demonstrate the practical feasibility of the wrinkling method in engineering tunable metamaterials, and the design flexibility, as well as the mechanical strategy, can extend the potential toward the application scenarios such as information processing, sensing, imaging, flexible meta‐devices, etc.

Free-Form Liquid Crystal Elastomers via Embedded 4D Printing.

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are a class of active materials that can generate rapid, reversible mechanical actuation in response to external stimuli. Fabrication methods for LCEs have remained a topic of intense research interest in recent years. One promising approach, termed 4D printing, combines the advantages of 3D printing with responsive materials, such as LCEs, to generate smart structures that not only possess user-defined static shapes but also can change their shape over time. To date, 4D-printed LCE structures have been limited to flat objects, restricting shape complexity and associated actuation for smart structure applications. In this work, we report the development of embedded 4D printing to extrude hydrophobic LCE ink into an aqueous, thixotropic gel matrix to produce free-standing, free-form 3D architectures without sacrificing the mechanical actuation properties. The ability to 4D print complex, free-standing 3D LCE architectures opens new avenues for the design and development of functional and responsive systems, such as reconfigurable metamaterials, soft robotics, or biomedical devices.