Full-liquid-based mixed regulation multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure

Abstract

The invention discloses a full-liquid-based mixed regulation and control multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure which comprises units arranged periodically, and each unit is composed of a medium container layer, a liquid pure water structure layer, a first liquid metal layer and a second liquid metal layer, and the liquid pure water structure layer, the first liquid metal layer and the second liquid metal layer are packaged in the medium container layer. The same fluid layers (water layers or same liquid metal layers) between adjacent units are communicated with each other, and structures and flow paths of different fluid layers are kept independent. By controlling injection and emptying of fluid in each layer, the design can be dynamically switched among three functions of broadband wave absorption, full-band reflection and full-band transmission. According to the invention, high dielectric loss, frequency dispersion characteristic and fluidity of water are utilized, and the structural design of the gradient impedance matching medium container is combined to realize broadband reconfigurable wave absorption; the polarization-insensitive reconfigurable reflecting layer is formed by utilizing high conductivity and fluidity of liquid metal and combining orthogonal symmetric liquid metal microfluidic channel structure arrangement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electromagnetic metamaterials technology, specifically a fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of modern electronic systems and stealth technology, traditional electromagnetic metamaterials with fixed functions are becoming insufficient in the face of complex and ever-changing electromagnetic environments and the increasing demand for multifunctional integration. Against this backdrop, multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterials capable of dynamically switching between different electromagnetic functions have become a research frontier, holding significant importance for adapting to diverse mission scenarios in the future. However, existing reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterials mostly employ mechanical control, active devices, or MEMS to achieve functional switching, often facing problems such as limited reconfigurable states, complex control mechanisms, high polarization sensitivity, or narrow bandwidth coverage. These issues severely restrict the practical application of such structures in advanced systems requiring broadband, multi-state, and highly integrated operation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention proposes a fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure, which can effectively overcome the problems of complex processing and single function of existing microwave absorbing structures.

[0004] The technical solution to achieve the purpose of this invention is as follows: a fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure, comprising multiple periodically distributed units, each unit comprising a dielectric container layer and a liquid pure water structure layer, a first liquid metal layer, and a second liquid metal layer disposed within the dielectric container layer. The dielectric container layer is a closed space, and the liquid pure water structure layers of adjacent units are interconnected within the same layer, while different layers are independent of each other.

[0005] Preferably, the medium container layer comprises, from top to bottom, a water layer cover, structural supports, a first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer, and a second liquid metal microfluidic channel layer. The water layer cover serves as a accommodating space for the liquid pure water structural layer. The first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer and the second liquid metal microfluidic channel layer serve as accommodating spaces for the first liquid metal layer and the second liquid metal layer, respectively. The structural supports are located at the four corners of the first liquid metal layer and are supported between the water layer cover and the first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer.

[0006] Compared with the prior art, the significant advantages of this invention are:

[0007] The fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure designed in this invention can dynamically switch between three different electromagnetic functional states—broadband absorption, full-band reflection, and full-band transmission—through simple fluid control. The reconfiguration method is simple, the states are rich, and it has a strong ability to adapt to complex electromagnetic environments.

[0008] The two orthogonally arranged liquid metal layers designed in this invention constitute a polarization-insensitive symmetrical reflection structure. Combined with a highly symmetrical absorbing layer design, this ensures that the structure can maintain a stable performance response to both TE and TM polarized incident waves.

[0009] This invention fully utilizes the high loss characteristics of water and the excellent conductivity of liquid metal, achieving high efficiency absorption and low loss transmission / reflection over a wide frequency band without the need for complex metal patterns or active circuits. The structure is easy to process and integrate. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a periodic array structure of a fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a side view of a single unit structure of a fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial.

[0012] Figure 3 is an exploded schematic diagram of the dielectric container layer (1) of the fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure.

[0013] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of fluid injection / evacuation of a fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure.

[0014] Figure 5 shows the absorption rate curve of the fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure in broadband microwave absorption mode.

[0015] Figure 6 shows the S-parameter curves of the fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure under full-band reflection and full-band transmission states. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0017] Instruction manual attached Figure 1 , 2 3 and 4 respectively describe the schematic diagram of the periodic array structure of the fully liquid-based hybrid control multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure proposed in this invention, the side view of the unit structure, the decomposition schematic diagram of the medium container layer (1), and the fluid injection / drainage schematic diagram.

[0018] Instruction manual attached Figure 5 and 6The descriptions are respectively the absorbance curves of the fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure proposed in this invention in the broadband absorption state, and the S-parameter curves in the full-band reflection state and the full-band transmission state.

[0019] like Figure 1-3 As shown, this invention proposes a fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure, comprising several periodically arranged units. Each unit includes a dielectric container layer (1) and encapsulated therein a liquid pure water structural layer (2), a first liquid metal layer (3), and a second liquid metal layer (4). The dielectric container layer (1) is a closed space. The same fluid layer (water layer or the same liquid metal) between adjacent units is interconnected, while different fluid layers maintain the independence of their structures and flow paths. In this invention, the liquid pure water structural layer (2) is a loss body with a reconfigurable wave-absorbing state; the microfluidic channels where the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) are located are orthogonal to each other, exhibiting reflection characteristics for TE and TM polarized incident electromagnetic waves, respectively.

[0020] A key design feature of this invention is its excellent dual-polarization stability. The microfluidic channel extension directions of the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) are orthogonal to each other. When liquid metal is injected, this orthogonal symmetrical reflective layer structure, combined with the stepped pyramid symmetrical design of the liquid pure water structure layer (2), makes the entire unit insensitive to electromagnetic waves.

[0021] The periodic arrangement of the units in this invention ensures that the corresponding fluid layers within each unit can form a connected network, thereby making full use of the fluidity of water and liquid metal to achieve large-area collaborative control and state reconstruction.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the liquid pure water structure layer (2), the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) are respectively injected and drained through an independent microfluidic channel system.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the medium container layer (1) includes, from top to bottom, a water layer cover plate (1-1), a structural support column (1-2), a first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3), and a second liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-4).

[0024] In a further embodiment, the water layer cover plate (1-1) is a trapezoidal truncated pyramid with a stepped pyramid-shaped microchannel with varying gradient thickness. This structure is used to achieve gradient impedance matching over a wide frequency band and serves as the accommodating space for the liquid pure water structural layer (2).

[0025] In a further embodiment, the structural support (1-2) is four cubic structures, which are respectively set at the four corners of the first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3) to provide structural support for the water layer cover plate (1-1) and the first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3).

[0026] In a further embodiment, mutually orthogonal microfluidic channels are etched in the first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3) and the second liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-4) to serve as the accommodating spaces of the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4), respectively.

[0027] The state switching of this invention is achieved by controlling the injection and drainage of fluid in each layer. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the three basic working states can be achieved in the following ways:

[0028] (a) Broadband absorption state: When water is injected into the liquid pure water structure layer (2) through the injection port Inlet_2, and liquid metal is injected into the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) through Inlet_3 and Inlet_4 respectively, the water layer above absorbs electromagnetic energy as a loss medium, and the liquid metal reflective layer below reflects the unabsorbed energy back for secondary absorption, and the structure exhibits broadband absorption characteristics.

[0029] (b) Full-band reflection state: Based on the above absorption state, the water in the liquid pure water structure layer (2) is discharged through the outlet Outlet_4, while the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) are kept in a filling state. At this time, the upper and lower orthogonal liquid metal layers form an effective reflective surface, which exhibits the same reflection characteristics for TE and TM polarized incident electromagnetic waves, and the structure presents full-band reflection characteristics.

[0030] (c) Full-band transmission state: Based on the above absorption state, the fluid in the liquid pure water structure layer (2), the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) are completely drained through the outlets Outlet_2, Outlet_3 and Outlet_4. At this time, the interference of the medium container layer on electromagnetic waves is minimal, and the structure exhibits full-band transmission characteristics.

[0031] Through the aforementioned fluid control logic, this invention can flexibly and reversibly switch dynamically between three distinct electromagnetic functional states: broadband absorption, full-band reflection, and full-band transmission, while maintaining excellent dual-polarization stability in each state. This allows it to intelligently adapt to complex and ever-changing electromagnetic environments and application scenarios. This invention integrates dual-liquid-based control, possessing multi-state, wide-bandwidth, and dual-polarization stable reconfigurable performance.

[0032] Example

[0033] Instruction manual attached Figure 1-6 The descriptions are respectively a schematic diagram of the periodic array structure of the fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure proposed in this invention, a side view of the unit structure, a schematic diagram of the decomposition of the dielectric container layer (1), a schematic diagram of fluid injection / drainage, an absorption rate curve of the embodiment of this invention in the broadband absorption state, and an S-parameter curve of the embodiment of this invention in the full-band reflection and full-band transmission states.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, a fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure is composed of multiple periodically arranged units.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown in the side view of the unit structure designed in this invention, each unit structure has a side length p = 8 mm and an overall thickness of 7.2 mm. It includes a dielectric container layer (1) and a liquid pure water structure layer (2), a first liquid metal layer (3), and a second liquid metal layer (4) encapsulated in the dielectric container layer (1). The thickness of the liquid metal layer is t1 = 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the water layer is t2 = 1.2 mm. The dielectric container layer (1) is a closed space. The same fluid layer (water layer or the same liquid metal) between adjacent units is interconnected, while the structure and flow path between different fluid layers remain independent. In this embodiment, the liquid pure water structure layer (2) serves as a reconfigurable wave-absorbing functional layer, while the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) together constitute a reconfigurable reflection functional layer. The dielectric container layer (1) is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which has a relative permittivity of 2.56 and a loss tangent of 0.0083.

[0036] The detailed structure and dimensional parameters of the media container layer (1) are as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the medium container layer (1) includes, from top to bottom, a water layer cover plate (1-1), a structural support column (1-2), a first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3), and a second liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-4).

[0037] The water layer cover plate (1-1) is designed as a trapezoidal truncated pyramid structure with a thickness of h3 = 3.5 mm. The upper surface side length of the truncated pyramid is p1 = 6 mm, and the lower surface side length is p2 = 7 mm. Stepped pyramid-shaped microchannels are etched within the pyramid, with each step having a thickness of t3 = 0.8 mm, serving as the accommodating space for the liquid pure water structural layer (2). This stepped thickness variation constitutes a continuous gradient impedance transition, which is key to achieving broadband wave absorption.

[0038] The structural support (1-2) consists of four cubic structures, each with a side length w2 = 0.5 mm and a height t2 = 1.2 mm. They are respectively located at the four corners of the first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3) to provide structural support for the water layer cover plate (1-1) and the first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3).

[0039] The first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3) and the second liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-4) both have a thickness of h1 = h2 = 1.25 mm. The layers are etched with mutually orthogonal microfluidic channels with a channel width of w1 = 3.5 mm, which serve as the accommodating space for the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4), respectively.

[0040] The liquid metal material used in this embodiment of the invention is a gallium indium tin alloy with an electrical conductivity of 3,460,000 S / m.

[0041] The following is in conjunction with the instruction manual appendix. Figure 5-6 A detailed analysis of the operating state and electromagnetic performance of embodiments of the present invention under different fluid configurations is provided.

[0042] (a) Broadband absorption state: When water is injected into the liquid pure water structural layer (2), and liquid metal is injected into both the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4), the structure is in a broadband absorption working state, such as Figure 5 As shown, under this condition, for both TE and TM polarized incident waves, the absorption rate is higher than 0.9 in the 17.10 GHz-30 GHz band and higher than 0.95 in the 18.55 GHz-30 GHz band, and reaches a peak absorption rate of 0.996 at 21.4 GHz.

[0043] (b) Full-band reflection state: When the liquid pure water structure layer (2) is in a drained state, and both the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) are filled with liquid metal, the structure exhibits a full-band reflection working state. Figure 6 As shown in (a), under this condition, for both TE and TM polarized incident waves, the reflection coefficient S in the 12 GHz-30 GHz frequency band is... 11 All are above -1dB, meaning the reflectivity can reach over 90%.

[0044] (c) Full-band transmission state: When the liquid pure water structural layer (2), the first liquid metal layer (3), and the second liquid metal layer (4) are all in a drained state, the structure exhibits a full-band transmission working state. Figure 6 As shown in (b), under this condition, for both TE and TM polarized incident waves, the transmission coefficient S in the 12 GHz-30 GHz frequency band is... 21All are above -1 dB, meaning the transmittance can reach over 90%.

[0045] The above results demonstrate that the fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure described in this invention can not only flexibly switch between three functional states, but also exhibit highly consistent electromagnetic performance for TE and TM dual-polarized electromagnetic waves in each state, fully verifying its rich reconfigurable states and polarization insensitivity.

[0046] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fully liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure, characterized in that, It includes multiple periodically distributed units. Each unit includes a medium container layer (1) and a liquid pure water structure layer (2), a first liquid metal layer (3), and a second liquid metal layer (4) disposed in the medium container layer (1). The medium container layer (1) is a closed space. The liquid pure water structure layers (2) between adjacent units are interconnected within the same layer and independent between different layers.

2. The all-liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The medium container layer (1) includes, from top to bottom, a water layer cover plate (1-1), a structural support column (1-2), a first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3), and a second liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-4). The water layer cover plate (1-1) serves as the accommodating space for the liquid pure water structural layer (2). The first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3) and the second liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-4) serve as the accommodating spaces for the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4), respectively. The structural support column (1-2) is located at the four corners of the first liquid metal layer (3) and is supported between the water layer cover plate (1-1) and the first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3).

3. The all-liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water layer cover plate (1-1) is a trapezoidal truncated pyramid with a stepped pyramid-shaped microchannel with varying thickness.

4. The all-liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-3) and the second liquid metal microfluidic channel layer (1-4) are mutually orthogonal microfluidic channels.

5. The all-liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The medium container layer (1) is made of polydimethylsiloxane or polymethyl methacrylate.

6. The all-liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) are made of gallium indium tin alloy.

7. The all-liquid-based hybrid controllable multifunctional reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes three operating states and electromagnetic properties, namely: (a) Broadband absorption state: When water is injected into the liquid pure water structure layer (2), and liquid metal is injected into both the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4), it is in the broadband absorption working state; (b) Full-band reflection state: When the liquid pure water structure layer (2) is in the emptied state, and the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) are both filled with liquid metal, the full-band reflection working state is presented; (c) Full-band transmission state: When the liquid pure water structure layer (2), the first liquid metal layer (3) and the second liquid metal layer (4) are all in the emptied state, the full-band transmission working state is presented.

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