Diverging Electromagnetic Wave Meta-Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional materials for diverging electromagnetic waves are bulky, inflexible, suffer from high loss and high costs, and are difficult to miniaturize, while existing metamaterial solutions either require complex designs or are costly to implement.
Innovation Solution
A metamaterial comprising a sheet layer with refractive indices distributed in a circular form about a center, featuring microstructures with pores filled with a medium material of varying refractive index, allowing for efficient divergence of electromagnetic waves with a simple manufacturing process and low cost, suitable for miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional materials are used to diverge electromagnetic waves, then the divergence function is achieved, but the volume becomes bulky and miniaturization is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the material by using metamaterials with specifically designed subwavelength structures. These structures create an effective refractive index gradient that enables wave divergence while maintaining a compact form factor, directly resolving the contradiction between small volume and divergence performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite metamaterials consisting of multiple layers with different refractive indices. By combining materials with complementary properties and arranging them in a gradient structure, the patent achieves effective wave divergence in a compact volume, resolving the contradiction between small size and functional performance
2Loss of energy
If conventional materials are used to diverge electromagnetic waves, then the divergence function is achieved, but the loss is considerable and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the refractive index parameter by using metamaterials with tailored electromagnetic properties. The subwavelength structures are designed to minimize absorption losses while maintaining the desired refractive index gradient, thereby reducing energy loss and improving diverging efficiency simultaneously
3Reliability
If metamaterials with gradient refractive index are used, then divergence performance is improved, but the design becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous refractive index gradient into discrete layers, each with a uniform refractive index. This segmentation simplifies the design and manufacturing process while still achieving the desired wave divergence effect, resolving the contradiction between performance and design complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different refractive indices to different regions of the metamaterial structure. Each layer is designed with specific local properties that contribute to the overall divergence function, making the design more manageable while maintaining high performance
4Loss of energy
If metamaterials with gradient refractive index are used, then divergence efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameter of the metamaterials to subwavelength dimensions, which enables the use of standard fabrication techniques. This parameter change allows for cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining high diverging efficiency, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and manufacturing cost
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The metamaterial achieves efficient divergence of electromagnetic waves with low loss and small dimensions, facilitating the miniaturization of apparatuses while maintaining a low cost and ease of implementation.
Implementation Method 1
Refractive indices of the metamaterial sheet layer are distributed in a circular form about a center of the metamaterial sheet layer, and the refractive indices remain unchanged at a same radius and increase gradually as the radius increases
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a metamaterial for diverging an electromagnetic wave, which comprises at least one metamaterial sheet layer. Refractive indices of the metamaterial sheet layer are distributed in a circular form with a center of the metamaterial sheet layer, and the refractive indices remain unchanged at a same radius and increase gradually with the radius. The present disclosure changes electromagnetic parameters at each point of the metamaterial through punching or by attaching man-made microstructures so that the electromagnetic wave can be diverged after passing through the metamaterial. The metamaterial of the present disclosure features a simple manufacturing process and a low cost, and is easy to be implemented. Moreover, the metamaterial of the present disclosure has small dimensions and does not occupy a large space, so it is easy to miniaturize apparatuses made ofthe metamaterial of the present disclosure.