Electromagnetic metamaterials for communications and sensing
- Reference number
- UKR24-0008
- Project leader
- Zhivkov, Alex
- Start and end dates
- 240701-251231
- Amount granted
- 925 268 SEK
- Administrative organization
- KTH - Royal Institute of Technology
- Research area
- Information, Communication and Systems Technology
Summary
This project addresses the problems of creating electromagnetic metamaterials for telecommunication and sensing applications, enabled by MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) technologies, as a continuation and building up on the previous project SSF-UKR22-0018 “THz-metamaterial för kommunikation och avkänning”. Main objectives: ●"Creation of new and improvement of existing radiators (antennas, rectennas, "quantum dots", etc.) at microwave and THz frequencies. ●"Creation and Manufacturing of the THz range's so-called “intelligent” reflective surfaces. ●"Development of new promising designs of electromagnetic sensors in the microwave and THz ranges. The work is planned to be conducted within 1.5 years in 3 stages: First stage (07.2024-12.2024) - Creation of electromagnetic metamaterial radiators. Second stage (01.2025-06.2025) – Creation of THz Metasurfaces. Third stage (07.2025-12.2025) – Creation of metamaterial sensors. Expected results - New functional components of communication devices and microwave and THz range sensors.
Popular science description
The proposed project addresses the challenges of creating novel metamaterial cells and devices in the microwave and terahertz (THz) frequency range for telecommunications and sensors. There are technological challenges associated with the small size of objects in the THz frequency range, but these can be overcome using state-of-the-art technology (micro-electromechanical systems - MEMS) available at the Royal University of Technology (KTH). Metamaterials enable devices with new electrodynamic characteristics, and the terahertz frequency range is promising and attractive for new communication projects such as 6G. Another promising application of metamaterials is the possibility of modelling some quantum effects such as Fano resonance, Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and the Parcell effect. Metamaterial cells with Fano resonance-type characteristics are one of the most promising areas for creating highly sensitive sensors, including for projects such as the Internet of Things. Metamaterials with EIT properties are planned to be used as memory cells of future quantum computers. Today, the Parcell effect is primarily associated with so-called "quantum dots", for the development of which the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded. Quantum dots are the basis of high-quality emitters for LED monitors, and structures modelling the Parcell effect significantly improve their emissivity.