Metamaterials Revolution: Empowering Superlenses, Superfast Optical Networks, EMI Suppression, and Wireless Charging

Rajesh Uppal July 15, 2023 Industry, Material, Nanotech Comments Off on Metamaterials Revolution: Empowering Superlenses, Superfast Optical Networks, EMI Suppression, and Wireless Charging 2,320 Views

Introduction

In the world of materials science, a groundbreaking revolution is underway, driven by the emergence of metamaterials. These extraordinary materials are engineered with unique properties, allowing us to break free from the limitations of conventional materials. Metamaterials hold immense promise in a range of applications, from superlenses and superfast optical networks to EMI suppression and wireless charging. In this article, we will explore the incredible potential of metamaterials and how they are reshaping various industries.

What are metamaterials

Metamaterials are artificially structured materials designed to control and manipulate physical phenomena such as light and other electromagnetic waves, sound waves and seismic waves in unconventional ways, resulting in exotic behavior that’s not found in nature. They are predicted to be able to protect the building from earthquakes by bending seismic waves around it, Similarly, tsunami waves could be bent around towns, and sound waves could be bent around a room to make it soundproof.

However, what makes metamaterials unique is that they consist of artificial structures that are much smaller than the wavelength of light. This allows researchers to harness the properties of both the base materials and the design of the structures themselves.

In conventional materials, the optical properties are primarily determined by the intrinsic characteristics of the atoms and molecules they are composed of. Metamaterials, on the other hand, break free from these constraints by giving scientists the ability to finely manipulate the shape, size, geometry, orientation, and arrangement of the artificial structures they create.

By designing and assembling these structures with precision, researchers can achieve optical properties that are not possible with natural materials alone. This means that the optical behavior of metamaterials can be tailored almost arbitrarily, offering exciting possibilities for controlling and manipulating light in ways that were once unimaginable.

Some common types of metamaterials

Typically, metamaterials include several classes of electromagnetic composites including negative index materials, photonic crystals, zero index materials, low index materials and chiral metamaterials. Some of the prominent modeling methods of metamaterials are finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, finite-element method (FEM), and transmission line method (TLM).

Negative index metamaterials: These materials have a negative refractive index, which means that they can bend light in unexpected ways, such as making it bend in the opposite direction of a normal material.
Photonic metamaterials: These metamaterials are designed to manipulate light in specific ways, such as creating super-lenses that can focus light to a point much smaller than the wavelength of light.
Acoustic metamaterials: These metamaterials are designed to manipulate sound waves in specific ways, such as creating acoustic invisibility cloaks that can hide objects from sound waves.
Magnetic metamaterials: These metamaterials are designed to manipulate magnetic fields in specific ways, such as creating superconducting metamaterials that can generate extremely high magnetic fields.

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Metamaterial Applications

Metamaterials (i.e., engineered electromagnetic structures), are poised to disrupt industries, create entirely new markets, and change society. The ability to design and fabricate materials with new functionalities opens the door to a new world of possibilities. They can be tailored to either augment the functionality of existing devices or create new devices with superior performances.

Metamaterials are utilized in various devices including Sensors, Superlensing, Cloaking, and Light emitting diodes. Metamaterials are utilized across various applications, including high frequency battle field communication, sensor detection, improving ultrasonic sensors, solar power management, and high gain antennas and also in various remote aerospace applications.

Researchers are developing passive radiative cooling (self-cooling films) for buildings and power plant cooling; electronically scanned array platform for drones and self-driving cars; smart metamaterial antennas for 5G networks and satellites; metasurfaces for molding the flow of light; thermal barriers for energy-efficient single pane windows; RF energy harvesting platform for IoT; peripheral nerves/brain focused magnetic stimulation (FMS) technologies; thermophotovoltaics devices; multispectral imaging chemical sensor; and a state-of-the-art computational electromagnetics simulation platform.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have achieved a significant breakthrough in microelectronics by developing a semiconductor-free, optically-controlled microelectronic device using metamaterials. The device, composed of a metasurface and a silicon wafer with a layer of silicon dioxide in between, exhibits a remarkable 1,000 percent increase in conductivity when activated by low voltage and a low power laser. The metasurface, consisting of gold mushroom-like nanostructures on parallel gold strips, generates “hot spots” with high-intensity electric fields when the low voltage and laser are applied. This breakthrough has the potential to find applications in specialty areas such as high frequencies or high-power devices, while not replacing all semiconductor devices. The research demonstrates the exciting possibilities of metamaterials in revolutionizing microelectronics.

Superlenses: Pioneering Extraordinary Imaging Capabilities

One of the most captivating applications of metamaterials is the development of superlenses. Traditional lenses are bound by the diffraction limit, preventing them from capturing fine details below a certain threshold. However, metamaterials with their exceptional properties offer a new paradigm in imaging. By bending light in unconventional ways, these superlenses can overcome the diffraction limit, enabling unprecedented resolutions in imaging technology. From biological studies to nanotechnology, superlenses hold the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the microscopic world.

Researchers at Michigan Technological University, building on previous work by Professor Durdu Güney, have made a breakthrough in creating super lenses that allow light waves to pass through without being absorbed. They achieved this by utilizing metamaterials consisting of thin silver films that are carefully engineered at a subwavelength scale. This design enables the light waves to pass through the lens instead of being reflected off the metal surface.

According to Güney, aluminum and silver are currently the most effective metals for creating metamaterials in the visible light spectrum, including perfect lenses. However, previous metamaterials made with these metals still had a tendency to absorb light waves, which is undesirable for lens applications. By minimizing absorption, the researchers have overcome a significant challenge in developing high-performance super lenses that can preserve the quality of light waves passing through them.

This advancement holds great potential for various applications where precise and efficient manipulation of light is essential, such as high-resolution imaging, microscopy, and optical communications. The reduced absorption in the metamaterial-based super lenses paves the way for improved performance and opens new opportunities in the field of optics.

Superfast Optical Networks: Transforming Data Transmission

In today’s digital age, high-speed data transmission is a crucial requirement. Metamaterials are at the forefront of enabling superfast optical networks. By manipulating light at the nanoscale, these materials can create intricate structures that guide and control the flow of light. This breakthrough allows for faster data transfer rates, reduced signal loss, and enhanced efficiency in optical communication systems. Metamaterial-based devices, such as photonic integrated circuits, hold the key to unlocking the next generation of internet speeds and expanding the horizons of data-intensive applications.

Optical computer networks, which promise significantly faster data transmission compared to current gigabit networks, have seen advancements through the use of metamaterials. In a collaborative effort between Berkeley Nanosciences and Nanoengineering Institute and South Korean scientists, a graphene-based electro-optical modulator was developed. This metamaterial-based modulator, with graphene just one atom thick, demonstrated the ability to switch lightwaves at terahertz frequencies. Additionally, researchers at City College of New York, led by physicist Vinod Menon, achieved light emission from ultrafast-switching LEDs using metamaterials. These innovations have the potential to pave the way for optical computer networks that operate at much higher speeds than current systems.

Laser protection

Airbus, in collaboration with Canadian company Lamda Guard, is working on testing a metamaterial-based coating for cockpit windows to protect pilots from being blinded by laser pointers. This development aims to enhance the safety of pilots in commercial aircraft. The technology holds potential applications in other sectors as well, including automotive safety and self-driving cars. Google’s experimental vehicles, for instance, currently rely on expensive mechanical laser-based devices called lidars to generate high-resolution maps of surrounding objects. However, emerging radar technologies being developed by companies like Echodyne could potentially offer similar mapping capabilities at a lower cost. This progress in laser protection and mapping technologies showcases the potential for innovative solutions in various industries.

Acoustic Metamaterials

Acoustic metamaterials are artificially fabricated materials designed to control, direct, and manipulate sound waves. More recently, the metamaterial concept has been extended to acoustic waves in a variety of scenarios of interest such as acoustic clocking, super-lensing and sound focusing and confinement.

Acoustic metamaterials have found applications in various fields, including acoustic clocking, super-lensing, sound focusing, and confinement. Researchers, such as Prof Katia Bertoldi from Harvard University, have been studying elastic materials with a negative “Poisson ratio.” These materials exhibit unique properties, such as shrinking in all directions when compressed and expanding in all directions when stretched. Prof Bertoldi’s team has engineered these materials to absorb sound at different frequencies when compressed. Additionally, the Poisson ratio can impact the fatigue of metals, and collaborations with companies like Rolls Royce have led to the design of engine components with intricate slits that can withstand a greater number of compression cycles before failure. These advancements in acoustic metamaterials offer promising opportunities for sound manipulation and improved material performance in various applications

New metamaterial enhances natural cooling without power input

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new metamaterial film consisting of glass microspheres, polymer, and silver that offers enhanced natural cooling without the need for a power input. The film enables radiative cooling, a process by which objects release heat as infrared radiation. The key challenge for the researchers was to design a material that reflects sunlight while allowing infrared emission. By successfully addressing this challenge, the team has created a promising solution for passive cooling applications that harness the natural cooling properties of the material.

Metamaterial Antennas

In addition to their applications in various fields, metamaterials are also being utilized in the development of advanced antenna technologies. Companies like Kymeta and Evolv Technology are actively exploring the potential of metamaterial-based antennas for different purposes. Evolv is focusing on enhancing airport security scanning capabilities, while Kymeta has partnered with Intelsat to design intelligent antennas for both land-based and satellite-based high-speed Internet services, thereby revolutionizing satellite communication.

Furthermore, Elena Semouchkina, a renowned researcher at Michigan Technological University, highlights additional areas where metamaterial antennas can make a significant impact. These include the ability to screen antennas to prevent interference, ensuring the safety of individuals by shielding them from harmful radiation or acoustic pressure, and even protecting structures from damage caused by seismic waves. The potential of metamaterial antennas extends beyond communication and has the capacity to contribute to various aspects of our lives, ranging from security to environmental protection.

Overall, the advancements in metamaterial antennas showcase the breadth of possibilities and the transformative impact that these technologies can have in solving complex challenges across multiple domains.

EMI Suppression: Taming Electromagnetic Interference

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) poses a significant challenge in various industries, from electronics to telecommunications. Metamaterials offer a novel solution to suppress and control EMI. By designing metamaterial structures with tailored electromagnetic responses, unwanted interference can be mitigated or redirected. These materials can be utilized in shielding enclosures, circuit boards, and wireless communication systems, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing disruptions caused by electromagnetic noise.

Intel Metamaterials Breakthrough, “Sub-millimeter EMI Shunt Beats Shields”

Intel, in collaboration with the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Lab at National Taiwan University (NTU), has achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of metamaterials. By folding a metamaterial into the third dimension (3D), they have developed a sub-millimeter-sized component capable of suppressing electromagnetic interference (EMI) more effectively than traditional shielding methods.

The compact metamaterial component replaces bulky shields and can suppress noise at each source by an impressive 20dB. Multiple components can be placed in-line with high-speed transmission lines to achieve even greater noise suppression, such as 40dB with two components, 60dB with three, and so on.

This breakthrough holds great importance for enhancing the bandwidth and efficiency of data centers and communication devices in the era of cloud computing. According to Professor Tzong-Lin Wu from NTU, these new high-speed signal transmission designs and noise suppression technologies are crucial for enabling wider data bandwidth in cloud computing and other applications.

The small size of the metamaterial components, measuring just 1.0-by-0.8-by-0.6 millimeters, allows for cost-effective manufacturing using widely-used ceramic or PCB processes. This makes them a more affordable alternative to traditional shielding techniques for any electronic component with external interfaces.

The NTU EMC Lab claims to be the first to use planar electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) power planes for suppressing switching noise in packaged circuits. Now, they have expanded their achievements with the first use of metamaterial differential transmission lines to virtually eliminate common-mode noise in high-speed differential signals.

Overall, this Intel-NTU metamaterial breakthrough offers a promising solution for suppressing EMI and improving electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in next-generation high-speed interfaces, paving the way for enhanced data communication and more efficient electronic devices.

Wireless Charging: Powering the Future Wirelessly

The demand for wireless charging solutions continues to grow as we seek convenient and efficient ways to power our devices. Metamaterials present a new frontier in wireless charging technology. They enable the creation of resonant structures that can capture and transfer electromagnetic energy wirelessly. By utilizing metamaterial-based charging surfaces or resonant coupling, we can recharge our devices simply by placing them on compatible surfaces or within proximity of charging stations. This advancement opens up possibilities for seamless integration of wireless charging in our homes, offices, and public spaces.

Mechanically Programmable Materials

Bastiaan Florijn, a PhD student at Leiden University, has developed a mechanically “programmable” material, which is a rubber slab with a pattern of holes. By adding a small clamp, the material can switch between compressing vertically or sideways, resulting in different stiffness levels. This unique property, known as “negative stiffness,” offers potential applications that are still being explored. Additionally, the material has the ability to absorb energy, making it suitable for applications such as car bumpers that can be adjusted for different impact scenarios or shoe soles that adapt to different terrains.

Digital Metamaterials

In another approach, researchers Cristian Della Giovampaola and Nader Engheta from the University of Pennsylvania have proposed a concept called “digital metamaterials.” They use two subunits, referred to as “metamaterial bits,” which are nano-sized pieces of silver and silica. These subunits interact with light in different ways—one being a metal and the other an insulator. By layering these subunits in specific patterns, they create structures with unique properties, distinct from the individual subunits. Through this “digitization” process, they achieve increased functionality and complexity in the material.

These advancements in mechanically programmable materials and digital metamaterials open up exciting possibilities for developing materials with tailored properties and functionalities. These materials have the potential to revolutionize various industries, from automotive to footwear, by offering customizable and adaptive solutions.

Metamaterials based Simple Machines by 3D Printing

Researchers at the Hasso Plattner Institute in Germany have taken metamaterials to the next level by treating them as functional machines rather than just materials. They have developed metamaterial mechanisms that perform mechanical functions, such as a door latch that converts rotary movement into linear motion and a walking mechanism composed of a single block of metamaterial cells. The key element in these mechanisms is a specialized shear cell.

To facilitate the efficient creation of metamaterial mechanisms, the researchers have implemented a specialized 3D editor. This editor allows users to add different types of cells, including shear cells, to their designs, enabling them to incorporate mechanical functionality. The editor also provides simulation capabilities, allowing users to apply forces and visualize how the object deforms in response.

Metamaterial-enabled devices have a broad range of applications across different spectrums, including radio frequency (RF), terahertz (THz), infrared (IR), and visible light. The ability to design and create functional metamaterial mechanisms opens up exciting possibilities for engineering innovative devices and systems with unique mechanical functionalities.

Chinese Breakthroughs

China has begun to make breakthroughs in its research into metamaterials, inching closer to the People’s Liberation Army’s dream of developing an “invisible” aircraft, reports the Beijing-based Sina Military Network. China’s 863 Program (State High-Tech Development Plan), 973 Program (National Basic Research Program) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China are all receiving government funding to explore the field.

According to the report, the potential applications and projects of metamaterials being considered by Chinese researchers are extremely broad, and include notebook-sized satellite antennae, flexible ceramics, defensive walls that can reduce the impact of earthquakes and tsunamis, smart shoes capable of sensing terrain, and of course, invisible planes.

China has been at the forefront of metamaterials research in recent years. In 2019, a team of Chinese scientists from the Institute of Optics and Electronics, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, claimed to have developed a metamaterial that could absorb radar waves in the widest spectrum yet reported. This could have major implications for stealth technology, as it could make fighter jets and other weapons much more difficult to detect by radar.

In 2021, another team of Chinese scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China developed a metamaterial that could be used to create superlenses. These lenses could focus light to a point smaller than the diffraction limit, which is the tightest focus possible with conventional optics. This could lead to the development of new imaging technologies with unprecedented resolution.

These are just two examples of the many breakthroughs that have been made in metamaterials research in China. As research in this area continues, it is likely that China will continue to be a leader in this field.

Here are some other Chinese breakthroughs in metamaterials:

In 2017, Chinese scientists developed a metamaterial that could be used to create invisibility cloaks. These cloaks could make objects invisible to radar or light waves.
In 2018, Chinese scientists developed a metamaterial that could be used to create terahertz lasers. These lasers could be used for a variety of applications, including medical imaging and security screening.
In 2020, Chinese scientists developed a metamaterial that could be used to create ultra-efficient solar cells. These solar cells could convert more sunlight into electricity than conventional solar cells.

These are just a few examples of the many exciting developments that are happening in the field of metamaterials research in China. As research in this area continues, it is likely that we will see even more groundbreaking breakthroughs in the years to come.

Meta-RF

The Kuang-Chi Institute of Advanced Technology, led by Liu Ruopeng, has made significant strides in the metamaterials field with their Meta-RF technology. This technology allows for precise control and modulation of electromagnetic wave transmission through complex electromagnetic structures. This has given China an advantage over competitors in the metamaterials sector.

Utilizing Meta-RF technology, Kuang-Chi has developed electromagnetic metamaterial antennas with wide-ranging applications. These antennas can launch energy into free space, making them suitable for wireless communication, space communications, GPS, satellites, space vehicle navigation, and airplanes. The technology also enables devices to connect to satellite broadband internet from various modes of transportation, including airplanes, trains, boats, and cars, even in remote locations. Unlike traditional dish-shaped antennas that are limited to pointing at specific satellites, these antennas can detect satellites from anywhere.

Kuang-Chi has been testing the Meta-RF technology in 22 Chinese provinces for several years, giving them a head start over the United States, where commercialization of the technology is just beginning this year. Since its founding in 2010, Kuang-Chi has filed over 2,800 patents, with 86% of them related to the metamaterials industry. This demonstrates their commitment to pushing the boundaries of metamaterials and advancing the field through innovation and extensive patent filings.

Military Applications

Metamaterials have gained significant interest in military applications, particularly in the areas of cloaking, camouflage, signature control, and antenna technology. The military seeks to utilize metamaterials to make platforms, weapons, and personnel invisible to electro-optic sensors, radars, and sonars. The development of cloaking materials can help disguise military assets by blending them into their surroundings or making them undetectable. One potential application is to disguise fighter jets as commercial freighters, enabling covert operations.

Radar antennas and absorbers are considered highly promising defense applications for metamaterials. These materials have the potential to create low-probability intercept active sensors and high-resolution planar lenses. Compact antennas are also of interest. However, wide-band tunable surfaces, while desired, are still challenging to achieve in practice.

In addition to these applications, there is a focus on the use of metamaterials in seismic wave cloaking for earthquake protection. Researchers have developed a new type of metamaterial, known as polar material, that can effectively cloak solid objects from seismic waves. This technology has the potential to protect buildings and military personnel from the destructive effects of earthquakes. It can also be utilized to suppress vibrations in engines, reducing noise levels.

The military sees great potential in these metamaterial advancements. The ability to control and manipulate mechanical waves and protect critical regions of solid objects could lead to innovative capabilities for soldier protection and maneuvers. The research conducted by the University of Missouri in creating polar materials has been viewed as encouraging by the Army Research Office, suggesting potential benefits in military applications.

Metamaterial Market

The global metamaterials market size was evaluated at USD 0.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to attain around USD 14.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 32.01% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032.

Some of the key factors driving the market growth include:

Increasing demand for advanced technologies: Metamaterials have unique properties that can be used to improve the performance of a wide range of devices and systems, such as antennas, filters, and lenses. This is leading to increased demand for metamaterials in various industries. The key factors influencing the market include increasing demand for new technologies that can be used in many applications such as absorbers, superlenses, and antennas instead of conventional materials in order to boost the performance of the machinery and reliability of overall processes across applications.
Advancements in research and development: Significant advancements in research and development are expected to lead to the development of new metamaterials with unique properties, which will further drive the market growth.
Growing adoption in the telecommunications industry: Metamaterials are expected to be widely adopted in the telecommunications industry due to their ability to improve the performance of antennas and other communication devices.
Increase in government funding: Governments and research institutions around the world are investing heavily in metamaterials research, which is expected to lead to new applications and commercial products in the near future.
Growing adoption in defense and aerospace: Metamaterials can be used in defense and aerospace applications to create stealth technologies, such as invisibility cloaks, and to improve the performance of radar and other sensor systems.

Market Segments

By end-use industry, the market comprises electronics & telecommunication, automotive, power plants, aerospace & defense, and medical. By material type, the market comprises terahertz metamaterial, photonic metamaterial, electromagnetic metamaterial, frequency band metamaterial, tunable metamaterial, and plasmonic metamaterial. By application, the market comprises antennas, seismic protection, absorbers, medical imaging, superlens, solar panels, sensors, and sound filtering.

Product Insights

The electromagnetic segment captured more than 30% revenue share in 2022 and is anticipated to hold the highest metamaterials market size during the forecast time period in terms of value. The growth can be attributed to the growing use of electromagnetic metamaterials for communications applications, including new forms of metamaterial-enabled personal communications radars and satellites.

Metamaterials that find application in electromagnetic technology are basically composed of structures that are mainly manufactured with optimizations for usage in the microwave and optical applications. Moreover, increasing demand for electromagnetic metamaterials to be utilized in the communication industry and solar power generation globally is driving revenue growth of this segment.

For instance, on 24 May 2022, X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE, which is a leading analog/mixed-signal and specialty foundry entered a collaboration with Cadence Design Systems, Inc. for Electromagnetic (EM) metamaterial-based simulation. Cadence EMX Planar 3D Solver, which is integrated to X-FAB RFIC through EMX Solver on X-FAB RF reference, designs helps
in manufacturing low-noise amplifiers, RF switches, and filter passive elements, delivering high-accuracy results within a very short time frame

Application Insights

The antenna & radar segment holds the highest share of around 43% in 2022. Rising demand for communication antennas for applications such as satellite communications, Wi-Fi routers, radar communications, and 5G communications is a key factor driving the growth of the metamaterials market.

End Use Insights

The aerospace and defense segments captured more than 34% revenue share in 2022. The defense industry needs customized solutions for communication. In the defense industries, the most widely used metamaterial devices are antennas, shields, windshields, EMC shields, and cloaking devices. Antennas can be used for secure communications in the defense sector, as they can be tuned according to required frequencies. The growth of the metamaterials market for aerospace and vertical defense is driven by the growing demand for bandwidth and the need for secure communications.

The aerospace & defense end-use sub-segment is considered to be the largest end-use segment in terms of revenue, and this domination is projected to continue in the forecast period, owing to the fast development of this end-user vertical in core economies such as the U.S., the U.K., Germany, China, India, and Russia. The antenna sub-segment is expected to accumulate a steady growth rate over the forecast period, primarily owing to an increased demand for specialized antennas in applications, especially in defense, aerospace, & telecommunications.
The absorber sub-segment products are used in the manufacture of products such as cloaking systems, super, and lenses. The advantages of using metamaterials in the antenna and absorber segments help make it one of the higher revenue-generating segments.

The Terahertz sub-segment is expected to grow fastest in Metamaterials market during the projected period.

The terahertz segment is expected to register fastest revenue CAGR over the forecast period. The segment revenue growth is attributable to rising demand for terahertz submillimeter radiation applications in sectors such as spectroscopy, photovoltaic, medical, pharmacy, quality assurance, dentistry, communication, and astronomy.

Additionally, there is an increased usage in terahertz applications for cancer therapy and in food inspection sectors for quality control. Apart from this, market players are investing in R&D activities and implementing terahertz imaging system technology in industries, such as aerospace and defense & homeland security, which are important factors driving revenue growth of this segment. For instance, on 26 October 2021, Advantest Corporation announced the acquisition of R&D Altanova Inc., which is a U.S.-based organization. This acquisition is focused on imparting a
medium- to long-term growth strategy to expand test and measurement solutions across continuously evolving semiconductor value chain.

The terahertz metamaterial products which are engineered specifically to interact at the terahertz frequencies such as Microwave & the infrared wavelengths ranging from 0.1 to 10 THz, are widely being in use in the spectroscopy and in the remote sensing technology and also widely helping in lifting the overall market growth.

Photonic Segment to Record 48.7% CAGR

In the global Photonic segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 47.1% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$27.4 Million in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$408.6 Million by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$931 Million by the year 2027, while Latin America will expand at a 51.4% CAGR through the analysis period. We bring years of research experience to this 9th edition of our report. The 298-page report presents concise insights into how the pandemic has impacted production and the buy side for 2020 and 2021. A short-term phased recovery by key geography is also addressed.

Regional

North America holds the largest position in the global market with a revenue share of around 42.8% in 2022. The North American market is expected to hold the dominant position, followed by Europe, during the forecast period. This is due to an increase in research and development funding for the use of metamaterials in various applications.

The rising demand for the products from a various end-use industries, including the aerospace & defense, is expected to fuel regional market growth.

The Metamaterials market in the U.S. is estimated at US$89.5 Million in the year 2020. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$1.5 Billion by the year 2027 trailing a CAGR of 58.7% over the analysis period 2020 to 2027. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 40.4% and 45.6% respectively over the 2020-2027 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 42.7% CAGR.

The Asia Pacific area is predicted to accelerate with the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. The rapid development of the medical, aerospace & defense, and consumer electronics, sectors in the Asia Pacific region, which are mostly driven by the countries namely China and India, is registering to have the positive impacts on the overall worldwide market growth throughout the forecast period. The developing regions in Asia Pacific are experiencing a rapid industrialization, urbanization, and huge economic development, and a mentionable shift in the consumer taste & preferences, and an increased understanding of energy conservation, which commands the need for metamaterials.

Industries

The global business landscape of Metamaterial remains quite dynamic with increasing numbers of small, medium as well as large companies. Enormous competition for technological innovation and higher diversification will offer tremendous opportunities for creative players over the forecast timeframe.

Key players in the market include Acoustic Metamaterials Group Ltd, Aegis Technologies Group, Applied EM, Inc., Echodyne, Inc., Fractal Antenna Systems Inc., Jem Engineering, LLC, Metamagnetics Inc., Metamaterial Technologies, Inc., MetaShield LLC., Metamagnetics, Inc., Nano-Meta Technologies, Inc., Kymeta Corporation, MediWise Ltd., Phoebus Optoelectronics LLC, JEM Engineering, LLC, Kymeta Corporation, JEM Engineering, Metaboards Limited, Multiwave Technologies AG, Echodyne, Inc., Nanohmics, Inc., Nanosonic Inc., Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated Plasmonics, Inc., Teraview Ltd., NKT Photonics AS, and Fractal Antenna Systems Inc., among others.

Future Prospects and Challenges

While metamaterials hold tremendous potential, there are still challenges to overcome. Manufacturing techniques need to be refined to achieve large-scale production, ensuring cost-effectiveness and accessibility. Additionally, further research is needed to optimize the performance and stability of metamaterials across different environments and operating conditions.

Conclusion

Metamaterials are revolutionizing various industries by empowering superlenses, superfast optical networks, EMI suppression, and wireless charging. These remarkable materials are pushing the boundaries of what was once considered impossible. As we continue to unravel the potential of metamaterials, we can look forward to a future where superlenses provide unprecedented imaging capabilities, optical networks transmit data at lightning-fast speeds, EMI interference becomes a thing of the past, and wireless charging becomes a seamless part of our daily lives. The metamaterial revolution is just beginning, and its impact is set to transform our world in remarkable ways.

Industry News

In September 2019, a joint venture of the Caltech-Georgia Tech Zurich team developed a modern type of architected Metamaterial, which has the ability to shape change in a tunable method.
In April 2022 – Meta Materials Inc. acquired Plasma App Ltd. Plasma App developed a technology enabling high-speed coating of solid materials. Meta Materials Inc. will apply this technology in its production process for NANOWEB films and also for KolourOptik security films.