Recent Developments in Active Metamaterials and their Practical Applications

Authors

  • Tamara Z. Fadhil Engineering College, University of Information Technology and Communications, Iraq / Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Malaysia
  • Ameer A. Kareim Al-Sahlawi Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kufa, Iraq / Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58564/IJSER.4.2.2025.317

Keywords:

Active tunable metamaterials, reconfigurable materials, tuning processes, electromagnetic characteristics, antennas.

Abstract

Mechanical metamaterials are specially designed materials that exhibit unconventional mechanical properties due to their precisely designed microarchitectures and inherent material characteristics. Recent developments have made it possible to create active, tunable, and reconfigurable metamaterials, which provide dynamic control over electromagnetic behavior and offer significant advantages over conventional static systems. In this paper, tuning mechanisms such as circuit-based, geometric, material-driven, and active control mechanisms are comprehensively discussed. It extends to their application in a number of devices, including antennas, filters, imaging devices, and sensors. Although these technologies have a great deal of promise, challenges exist, specifically with respect to fabrication complexity and limited tunability. Continuous breakthroughs in materials science and device engineering will be essential to developing these metamaterials from concepts in the lab to practical, real-world applications. The main contribution of this review is to give a systematic overview of the most recent tuning mechanisms for active metamaterials, while also highlighting the integration of artificial intelligence as a transformative approach for future design and optimization.

References

[1] M. Li, et al., "A Review: Active Tunable Terahertz Metamaterials," Adv. Photonics Res., vol. 5, no. 4, p. e2300351, 2024, doi: 10.1002/adpr.202300351. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adpr.202470020

[2] J. Chen, et al., "Metamaterials: from fundamental physics to intelligent design," Interdiscip. Mater., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 5-29, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/idm2.12049

[3] J. Gu, et al., "Construction of mechanical metamaterials and their extraordinary functions," Compos. Struct., p. 118872, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.118872

[4] L. Si, et al., "Advances in Artificial Intelligence for Artificial Metamaterials," APL Mater., vol. 12, no. 12, p. 120602, 2024, doi: 10.1063/5.0247369. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0247369

[5] F. Farzami, et al., "Embedded split ring resonator tunable notch band filter in microstrip transmission lines," IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 37294-37304, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3164699

[6] P. Mishra, B. P. Singh, and V. V. Agrawal, "Deciphering split ring resonators: understanding theoretical validation and simulation implications," Eng. Res. Express, vol. 6, no. 3, p. 035319, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-8695/ad5a62

[7] R. J. Xu and Y.-S. Lin, "Actively MEMS-based tunable metamaterials for advanced and emerging applications," Electronics, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 243, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11020243

[8] A. Valipour, et al., "Metamaterials and their applications: an overview," Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part L J. Mater. Des. Appl., vol. 236, no. 11, pp. 2171-2210, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1464420721995858

[9] Y. Liu, et al., "Research Progress in Tunable Metamaterial Absorbers," Adv. Photonics Res., vol. 5, no. 4, p. e2300258, 2024, doi: 10.1002/adpr.202300258. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adpr.202300258

[10] D. D. Lim, et al., "A tunable metamaterial microwave absorber inspired by chameleon’s color-changing mechanism," Sci. Adv., vol. 11, no. 3, p. eads3499, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ads3499

[11] S. Cheng, et al., "High sensitivity five band tunable metamaterial absorption device based on block like Dirac semimetals," Opt. Commun., vol. 569, p. 130816, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optcom.2024.130816

[12] M. Lagnoni, et al., "Critical comparison of equivalent circuit and physics-based models for lithium-ion batteries: A graphite/lithium-iron-phosphate case study," J. Energy Storage, vol. 94, p. 112326, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.112326

[13] A. Khan, et al., "Machine Intelligence in Metamaterials Design: A Review," Opt. Quantum Mater., vol. 4, no. 1, p. itae001, 2024, doi: 10.1093/oqm/itae001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itae001

[14] S. Gharbieh, et al., "Design of a binary programmable transmitarray based on phase change material for beam steering applications in D-band," Sci. Rep., vol. 14, no. 1, p. 2966, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53150-9

[15] A. K. M. Baki, A. R. Chowdhury, and M. S. Hasan, "Towards the Realization of an Intelligent Reflecting Surface with full 360° Phase Variation for Beam Steering Applications at C and X Bands," IEEE Access, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3443120

[16] A. S. Algamili, et al., "A review of actuation and sensing mechanisms in MEMS-based sensor devices," Nanoscale Res. Lett., vol. 16, p. 1, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-021-03481-7

[17] A. Diepolder, et al., "Hybrid Fishnet Metamaterial Based on Liquid Crystal and P-I-N Diodes for Reconfigurable Transmitarrays at 10 GHz," IEEE J. Microwaves, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/JMW.2024.3518772

[18] X. Li, et al., "Development of two-dimensional steerable reflectarray with liquid crystal for reconfigurable intelligent surface applications," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 2108-2123, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2024.3354054

[19] L. Liu, L. Kang, T. S. Mayer, and D. H. Werner, "Hybrid metamaterials for electrically triggered multifunctional control," Nat. Commun., vol. 7, p. 13236, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms13236

[20] O. A. M. Abdelraouf, et al., "Recent advances in tunable metasurfaces: materials, design, and applications," ACS Nano, vol. 16, no. 9, pp. 13339-13369, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.2c04628

[21] M. Sterner, et al., "RF MEMS high-impedance tuneable metamaterials for millimeter-wave beam steering," in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Micro Electro Mechanical Syst., 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MEMSYS.2009.4805528

[22] Z. Liu, et al., "Active Metamaterial Antenna with Tunable Zeroth-Order Resonances for Narrowband Internet of Things," Electronics, vol. 12, no. 18, p. 3827, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12183827

[23] Q. Zhang, G. Hu, and S. Rudykh, "Magnetoactive asymmetric mechanical metamaterial for tunable elastic cloaking," Int. J. Solids Struct., vol. 289, p. 112648, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2024.112648

[24] Y. Su, et al., "Tunable, Reconfigurable, and Programmable Acoustic Metasurfaces," Front. Mater., vol. 10, p. 1132585, 2023, doi: 10.3389/fmats.2023.1132585. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2023.1132585

[25] N. Raeis-Hosseini and J. Rho, "Metasurfaces based on phase-change material as a reconfigurable platform for multifunctional devices," Materials, vol. 10, no. 9, p. 1046, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma10091046

[26] Y. Qiu, et al., "A perfect selective metamaterial absorber for high-temperature solar energy harvesting," Sol. Energy, vol. 230, pp. 1165-1174, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.11.034

[27] Z. Chen, et al., "Advanced fabrication of mechanical metamaterials based on micro/nanoscale technology," Adv. Eng. Mater., vol. 25, no. 22, p. 2300750, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202300750

[28] J. Zhou, et al., "Metamaterials and metasurfaces for wireless power transfer and energy harvesting," Proc. IEEE, vol. 110, no. 1, pp. 31-55, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2021.3127493

[29] Y. Feng, et al., "Fabrication and modulation of flexible electromagnetic metamaterials," Microsystems Nanoeng., vol. 11, no. 1, p. 14, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-024-00806-1

[30] M. Oudich, et al., "Tailoring structure‐borne sound through bandgap engineering in phononic crystals and metamaterials: a comprehensive review," Adv. Funct. Mater., vol. 33, no. 2, p. 2206309, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202206309

[31] F. Dos Reis and N. Karathanasopoulos, "Inverse metamaterial design combining genetic algorithms with asymptotic homogenization schemes," Int. J. Solids Struct., vol. 250, p. 111702, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2022.111702

[32] E. Tezsezen, et al., "AI-based metamaterial design," ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, vol. 16, no. 23, pp. 29547-29569, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.4c04486

[33] J. Sun, et al., "Artificial Intelligence and Computing for Active Metamaterial Design," ASME J. Appl. Mech., vol. 92, no. 9, p. 094001, 2024, doi: 10.1115/1.4054321. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4068647

[34] H. Wang, et al., "A Review on the Mechanical Metamaterials and Their Applications in the Field of Biomedical Engineering," Front. Mater., vol. 10, p. 1273961, 2023, doi: 10.3389/fmats.2023.1273961. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2023.1273961

[35] L. Zhang, et al., "Mechanical Metamaterials and Beyond," Nat. Commun., vol. 14, p. 41679, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41679-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41679-8

[36] C. M. Watts, X. Liu, and W. J. Padilla, "Metamaterial electromagnetic wave absorbers," Adv. Mater., vol. 24, no. 23, pp. OP98-OP120, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201200674

[37] N. Yu and F. Capasso, "Flat optics with designer metasurfaces," Nat. Mater., vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 139-150, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat3839

[38] J. Costantine, et al., "Reconfigurable antennas: Design and applications," Proc. IEEE, vol. 103, no. 3, pp. 424-437, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2015.2396000

[39] Abdulkareem, Areej, and Satea H. Alnajjar. "A survey-intelligent reflecting surface beyond 5G." Al-Iraqia Journal for Scientific Engineering Research 2.2 (2023): 37-44.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.58564/IJSER.2.2.2023.69

Downloads

Published

2025-06-29

How to Cite

Z. Fadhil , T., & Kareim Al-Sahlawi, A. A. (2025). Recent Developments in Active Metamaterials and their Practical Applications. Al-Iraqia Journal for Scientific Engineering Research, 4(2), 47–54. https://doi.org/10.58564/IJSER.4.2.2025.317

Issue

Section

Articles

Deprecated: json_decode(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($json) of type string is deprecated in /var/www/vhosts/ijser.aliraqia.edu.iq/httpdocs/plugins/generic/citations/CitationsPlugin.inc.php on line 49