Centre for Metamaterial Research
and Innovation

Twitter link
Our expertiseCase studies - What metamaterials can do for you!Communicating in a crowded electromagnetic environment

Communicating in a crowded electromagnetic environment – how metamaterials can give us more space

Communicating in a crowded electromagnetic environment

A case study by Alastair Hibbinsa and J Roy Samblesa

aUniversity of Exeter

The problem

In today’s connected world, the electromagnetic environment is crucial for many civilian, security and defence contexts, such as developing autonomous systems, communication and healthcare technologies. 

Specifically, the challenge is to mitigate for the future congested electromagnetic operating environment which would otherwise limit our ability to efficiently and reliably exploit energy or information in a timely manner.  This includes dealing with poor spectrum management (too many devices, not enough available bands), and the impact of intentional disruption, principally from adversary electronic capabilities.

From a military perspective metamaterials are of interest in electromagnetic environments for increased operational effectiveness of vehicles and soldiers; ease of integration into existing infrastructure, i.e. ships, jets; and reduction of size, weight and energy consumption.

‌Our solution

Our contribution to this challenge is broad and includes novel solutions utilising a range of metamaterial concepts.  These include:

  • filters for secure compartmentalised facilities and antenna systems and radomes,
  • thin and lightweight microwave absorbers for the reduction of radar scattering and clutter,
  • novel composites and metasurfaces that enable devices to work effectively in less congested frequency bands,
  • reconfigurability of devices to modify operational frequency,
  • directional emission of energy and beam steering,
  • novel beacon and identification technologies.

Why use a metamaterial?

Metamaterials offer new effects, properties and performance that are derived by understanding the role of multi-scale topology in enhancing the value of a wide range of functional material.  They provide a pathway for scientists and engineers to exploit extreme compositional and topological complexity.

Dstl are a core partner of the EPSRC CDT in Metamaterials and University of Exeter’s Centre for Metamaterial Research and Innovation.  At least £3bn of MOD investment over the next 10 years is planned to achieve indigenous next generation high performance military assets, including the next generation fast-jet ‘Tempest’.  ‘Metamaterial’ scientists address innovation in the electromagnetic environment sector.  The coming together of recent seminal developments in high throughout metamaterial simulation and experimentation techniques, together with the latest advanced manufacturing techniques offers the potential for Next Generation Materials Discovery to be business-as-usual within a decade.

There are potentially huge benefits to the civil application sector to be derived from these next generation materials and our challenge is to stimulate a resilient future industrial technology base relevant to defence and security capability.

References