Focus On: UK Metamaterials Network

The UK Metamaterials Network was launched in 2020 with joint funding from EPSRC, DSTL and Innovate UK KTN. It aims to develop a pipeline from initial metamaterial research discovery through to the commercialization and application of these technologies.

By widely publicizing the benefits of metamaterial technology, facilitating access to metamaterial experts and facilities, and fostering closer interaction with end users, we aim to harness the enormous potential of metamaterials. We have continued to grow since our inception and as of March 2023, now have over 670 members spread across academia, industry, government agencies and funding bodies.

Broadly speaking, metamaterials are 3D structures made of metals, plastics, and/or ceramics that have properties not possible with only their unstructured constituent materials. These properties occur upon exposure to external inputs such as light, mechanical forces or sound waves. The subject is inherently interdisciplinary including advanced materials science, theoretical physics, quantum mechanics, chemistry, biology, engineering (mechanical and electrical), acoustics, computer science, and robotics. Metamaterials and metamaterial devices vary in size from photonic devices at the nanoscale to large systems interacting with meter wavelengths. All of this adds up to offer myriad opportunities using different metamaterial regimes and aspects.

Some metamaterials have started to find their way into the healthcare technology market, such as Metasonics, whose acoustic metamaterials have been tested in NHS hospitals to reduce noise while still allowing air to flow freely and Pinpoint Medical, which uses plasmonic biosensor metamaterial assays to allow the detection of multiple pathogens in a single sample. The breadth of technology covered by metamaterials means that there is still a wide range of opportunities for metamaterials to make an impact in the medical and health technology sector (including preventive steps such as PPE) that are currently undiscovered. For example, 3D printed metamaterial implants can offer a higher strength-to-weight ratio than conventional structures, while still being porous enough to transport nutrients, all thanks to their structure. Alternatively, metamaterial antennae may be used in optogenetics treatments for neurological disorders. These are just a few examples of the many ways metamaterials could potentially revolutionize healthcare technology, and with your help, we can identify other exciting new possibilities.

Within the network, we have recently established the ‘Metamaterials for Health’ challenge to identify key challenges facing the field and how current metamaterials research directions offer routes to potential solutions. We are interested in building relationships with the medical field so that we can direct the utility of metamaterials to current and future challenges facing the field. Scaling up emerging technologies for application in the medical field often requires substantial investment and is one of the major barriers. We believe that our metamaterials expertise and your knowledge of the field can be combined to uncover opportunities where the two overlap and encourage funding for research and development towards this goal.

To find out more about the UK Metamaterials Network, visit Med-Tech Innovation Expo on stand C32J as part of the Start-up Zone at the NEC, Birmingham on 7-8 June. Register for free at www.med-techexpo.com