Metamaterials are artificially engineered material systems designed to exhibit physical properties not typically found in naturally occurring materials. By structuring matter at subwavelength or submicron scales, these materials enable precise control over electromagnetic, acoustic, thermal, and mechanical responses. This session explores how engineered architectures, rather than chemical composition alone, define material behavior and unlock new functional capabilities across science and engineering.

Unlike conventional materials, metamaterials derive their properties from periodic or hierarchical structural arrangements that interact with waves and fields in unconventional ways. These interactions enable extraordinary phenomena such as negative refractive index, electromagnetic cloaking, wave steering, and adaptive response control. Research in this area continues to expand rapidly as new design strategies and fabrication techniques emerge. These advances are increasingly highlighted at Materials Science Conference platforms, reflecting the growing importance of metamaterials in advanced technology development.

A central focus of the session is the design and optimization of metamaterial unit cells and architectures. Careful geometric control allows researchers to tailor effective material parameters such as permittivity, permeability, and elastic modulus. By tuning these parameters, metamaterials can be engineered for specific frequency ranges and functional objectives. Closely related to this work is Artificially Structured Materials, which leverage engineered micro- and nanoscale architectures to achieve programmable and tunable responses.

The session also examines fabrication approaches that translate complex designs into physical materials. Advanced lithography, additive manufacturing, and self-assembly techniques enable the creation of intricate structures with high precision and repeatability. Scalability and manufacturing feasibility are emphasized, as practical deployment requires consistent performance across large areas and production volumes.

Characterization and modeling are critical for validating metamaterial performance. Experimental techniques combined with numerical simulations provide insights into wave–structure interactions and effective property extraction. These tools support predictive design, enabling researchers to optimize architectures before fabrication and reduce development cycles.

Applications of metamaterials extend across multiple domains. In electromagnetics and photonics, they enable compact lenses, antennas, and waveguides with enhanced performance. Acoustic and mechanical metamaterials offer vibration control, sound insulation, and impact mitigation. Thermal metamaterials support heat management and energy efficiency. Sustainability considerations are also addressed, as efficient wave control can reduce material usage and energy consumption. By integrating design, fabrication, and application perspectives, this session provides a comprehensive overview of how metamaterials are redefining material functionality.