metamaterial
Designed impossible substance
A metamaterial is an engineered material with a structure designed to have properties not found in nature.
The unusual behavior comes from the material's precise internal architecture—typically repeating patterns smaller than the wavelengths they interact with—rather than its chemical composition.
Metamaterials can bend light backward, block specific frequencies, or make objects partially invisible: Researchers used metamaterials to create a crude invisibility cloak.
Broadcast signal receiver
- sensorInput-detecting device
- absorberThing that takes in
- filterPorous separation device
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
imaging · wireless · radar · stealth · cloaking · telecommunications · aerospace · defense
Electric polarization capacity
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- left-handedDominant on sinister side
- transmissionSending of information
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
refraction · dispersion · impedance · frequency · bandwidth · resonance · wavelength · absorption
Openwork of crossed strips
- architectedDesigned a complex structure
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- high-strengthExceptionally resistant to stress
- impact-resistantAble to withstand forceful contact
flexible · rigid · tensile · compressive · shear · load-bearing · foam · honeycomb
Structure directing energy propagation
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- holography3D imaging via laser
- invisibilityState of being unseen
- near-fieldRegion adjacent to source
far-field · imaging · spectroscopy · laser · fiber-optic · retroreflector
Preventing noise transmission
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- dampingDissipation of vibrational energy
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- sonicRelating to sound waves
anechoic · resonator · transducer · attenuation · seismic · infrasound
Grease-based flat plate printing
- nanofabricationCreating nanometer-scale structures
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
electroplating · molding · layer-by-layer · scalable · precision · microfabrication · photoresist · template
Ability to carry current
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
- thermoelectricHeat-to-electricity converting
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- emissivityThermal radiation ratio
antenna
Broadcast signal receiver
shield · imaging · wireless · radar · stealth · cloaking · telecommunications · aerospace · defense · wearable
permittivity
Electric polarization capacity
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- left-handedDominant on sinister side
- transmissionSending of information
polarization · refraction · dispersion · impedance · frequency · bandwidth · resonance · wavelength · absorption · scattering
lattice
Openwork of crossed strips
- architectedDesigned a complex structure
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- high-strengthExceptionally resistant to stress
impact-resistant · flexible · rigid · tensile · compressive · shear · load-bearing · foam · honeycomb · origami
waveguide
Structure directing energy propagation
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- holography3D imaging via laser
- invisibilityState of being unseen
near-field · far-field · imaging · spectroscopy · laser · fiber-optic · retroreflector
soundproofing
Preventing noise transmission
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- dampingDissipation of vibrational energy
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
sonic · anechoic · resonator · transducer · attenuation · seismic · infrasound
lithography
Grease-based flat plate printing
- nanofabricationCreating nanometer-scale structures
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
deposition · electroplating · molding · layer-by-layer · scalable · precision · microfabrication · photoresist · template · bottom-up
conductivity
Ability to carry current
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
- thermoelectricHeat-to-electricity converting
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves