Metamaterials Make Physics Seem Like Magic
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- COMSOL Multiphysics
Tech Stack
- Electromagnetic Simulation
- Frequency-Domain Simulations
- Modeling and Simulation Tools
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Innovation Output
- Digital Expertise
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
Applicable Industries
- National Security & Defense
- Healthcare & Hospitals
- Semiconductors
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Digital Twin
- Predictive Maintenance
- Remote Asset Management
- Computer Vision
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
- Testing & Certification
About The Customer
The Center for Metamaterials and Integrated Plasmonics (CMIP) at Duke University, led by David R. Smith, is a leading research organization in the field of metamaterials. CMIP is known for its work on electromagnetic cloaking and is also involved in developing magnetic metamaterials for wireless power transfer for electric vehicles in collaboration with Toyota Corporation. Another key player is the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California, where researchers like Fabio Alves are developing metafilms for less expensive terahertz (THz) imaging devices. These organizations are at the forefront of metamaterials research, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with these advanced materials.
The Challenge
Metamaterials, which are artificially structured materials, have the potential to revolutionize various fields by manipulating electromagnetic waves. However, the challenge lies in the high level of control required over their structure and the high ohmic loss due to the metal components. These materials derive their unique properties from their structure rather than their chemical composition, making the design and fabrication of complex structures a significant challenge. Additionally, precise knowledge of the response at each frequency of interest is needed, making accurate frequency-domain simulations a requirement. The high ohmic loss causes electromagnetic waves to be strongly attenuated, posing another challenge in the practical application of metamaterials.
The Solution
To address the challenges in designing and fabricating metamaterials, researchers are leveraging advanced modeling and simulation tools like COMSOL Multiphysics. These tools allow for precise frequency-domain simulations, which are crucial for understanding the electromagnetic response of complex structures. The flexibility and versatility of these tools enable researchers to modify boundary conditions and even change the equations themselves, providing a high level of control over the design process. For instance, the Naval Postgraduate School is using these tools to develop metafilms that exhibit near 100 percent absorption in the desired frequency, significantly improving the efficiency of THz imaging systems. Similarly, the Center for Metamaterials and Integrated Plasmonics at Duke University is using these tools to develop metamaterial-based lenses for wireless power transfer, making the distance between the power source and the device being charged appear to disappear.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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