Future Materials That Manipulate Light, Sound, and Energy

A mobile phone with an optimal signal in any environment, ultra-thin glasses providing augmented vision without bulky devices, or buildings capable of absorbing traffic noise without the need for massive acoustic barriers. These advances, which until recently seemed unattainable, are now increasingly within reach thanks to metamaterials—structures designed at the nanometric scale to manipulate light, sound, and energy in unprecedented ways.

Unlike conventional materials, whose properties stem from their chemical composition, metamaterials are engineered with microscopic patterns that enable them to interact with waves in ways that do not naturally occur.

Their potential ranges from enhancing telecommunications efficiency to revolutionising solar energy and advanced optics, establishing them as one of the most promising technological breakthroughs of the 21st century.

According to a recent report by MarketsandMarkets, the metamaterials market is undergoing exponential growth. It is projected to reach £1.38 billion by 2029, up from £0.22 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44.8% during the 2024–2029 period.

This surge is driven by the increasing demand for advanced materials capable of manipulating electromagnetic waves for applications in telecommunications, imaging, and defence. Additionally, factors such as the development of more efficient sensors, the use of artificial intelligence in automated design, and governmental support for research and development have accelerated this growth.

A New Optics for the World

The materials we use in everyday life—glass, metal, plastic—derive their properties from their chemical composition and the way their atoms naturally arrange themselves.

However, metamaterials are different. Rather than relying solely on their composition, they are designed with precise microscopic structures that enable them to interact with light, sound, or energy waves in ways that would be impossible in nature.

They function like 'tailor-made suits' for manipulating these waves, producing remarkable effects such as rendering objects invisible, improving signal transmission, or redirecting sound at will.

British physicist Sir John Pendry, a pioneer in metamaterials research, has played a crucial role in advancing this technology. In a recent lecture at Imperial College London, Pendry emphasised that traditional optics has long been constrained by the limited availability of materials with the necessary properties for certain breakthroughs.

One of his most revolutionary discoveries was the negative refractive index, a phenomenon first predicted in 1968 by Russian physicist Victor Veselago but only experimentally demonstrated by Pendry in 2000.

This breakthrough paved the way for technologies such as perfect lenses, capable of overcoming the resolution limits of conventional optics and revealing details smaller than the wavelength of light.

Metamaterials are not only transforming optics but are also influencing fields such as telecommunications and wave physics. Their ability to bend light's trajectory has led to the development of prototype cloaking devices—still in the experimental stage but with potential applications in camouflage, radar design, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Beyond Light

The potential of metamaterials extends beyond light manipulation. Their ability to modify wave behaviour is also revolutionising acoustics and energy applications.

In architecture, for instance, walls incorporating metamaterials are being designed to absorb specific sound frequencies, eliminating environmental noise without the need for large barriers.

In the energy sector, new metamaterial-based structures could enhance solar panel efficiency by capturing more solar radiation while minimising energy loss.

In telecommunications, these materials are already being used in 5G network antennas, improving data transmission with more compact and efficient designs.

Companies such as Kymeta have developed flat-panel antennas based on metamaterials that connect to satellites without requiring moving parts—an innovation crucial for global connectivity.

Pivotal Commware has applied this technology to smart antennas that optimise 5G coverage in urban environments, while Echodyne uses metamaterials to manufacture more efficient, lightweight radar systems with applications in security and autonomous mobility.

Even in geophysics, researchers are exploring metamaterials capable of redirecting seismic waves—a concept that could lead to structures designed to protect buildings from earthquakes by deflecting seismic energy.

Designing the Future at the Nanoscale

Despite their immense potential, metamaterials still face significant challenges. Their fabrication at the nanometric level is complex and costly, limiting large-scale production. However, research is progressing rapidly, with new techniques emerging each year that could make these materials more accessible.

Moreover, questions remain regarding their environmental impact and long-term durability in industrial applications. Scientists also face a conceptual challenge: while metamaterials have so far been designed with intricate spatial structures, Pendry suggests that the next step is to structure them in the time domain.

"If we structure materials in time, we can enter an entirely new realm where energy is no longer conserved, and light waves can be amplified," he stated.

If John Pendry’s vision and those of other researchers come to fruition, we may be on the brink of a technological era in which light, sound, and energy are entirely mouldable to human needs.

Metamaterials not only challenge our understanding of physical laws but could redefine future infrastructure—spanning connectivity, energy, and security.

Today, they are a promise; tomorrow, they may be the invisible foundation underpinning the next great technological revolution.