What are Metamaterials?

A metamaterial typically consists of a multitude of structured unit cells that are comprised of multiple individual elements, which are referred to as meta-atoms. The individual elements are assembled from conventional microscopic materials such as metals and/or plastics, which are arranged in periodic patterns.

Metamaterials gain their properties not from their composition, but rather from the design of their structure which includes their exact shape, geometry, size, orientation and arrangement, all of which can affect light in an unconventional manner. MTI’s breakthrough technology lies in the application of metamaterial designs to develop thin, optically transparent films. These films can be used to drastically improve a wide range of products by manipulating light as it comes in contact with the thin film.

MTI’s precisely designed structures are developed with proprietary algorithms, producing a new generation of optical products that are built in state-of-the-art thin film nano-fabrication labs. MTI’s proprietary software accurately predicts the desired design pattern to generate a unique material that meets customer specifications. MTI’s sleek designs mean manufacturers can reduce their cost of materials significantly while increasing performance, e.g. by increasing the light output of an LED bulb or increasing the absorption of light in a solar panel.

Read more about the science and application of metamaterials from a selected list of the team at MTI’s peer-reviewed papers and text books.

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