How are AI and ML transforming metamaterial design?
Antenna systems powered by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces that manipulate magnetic fields. Anti-reflection films that enable advanced military camouflage for stealth aircraft. Edge devices that can transmit at sub-terahertz and terahertz (THz) frequencies in 6G networks.
These advanced technologies depend on metamaterials–engineered materials that can manipulate magnetic, acoustic, and thermal fields via periodic arrays. While the expansive parameters of metamaterials make them complex to design, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies have shown vast potential to speed the design process and discover novel metamaterial applications.
What advantages and risks are AI and ML tools bringing to metamaterial engineering and design? How should policymakers support and sustain the infrastructure required for metamaterial research, design, and fabrication? Which nations are leading in metamaterial development, and how can the US maximize its advantages in this field?
To explore questions like these, this NSDPI paper offers a global literature review of how AI and ML are enabling rapid advancements in metamaterial design and the national security implications.
Key takeaways:
- Market assessments project that AI/ML-assisted designs will be central to growing the metamaterial market over the next decade, but there are concerns that nanofabrication may not advance enough to enable the commercialization of more complex metamaterials.
- While fully AI/ML design of metamaterials is a strong alternative to physics-based modeling, this new approach could negatively affect traceability and manufacturability while also requiring more demanding testing phases.
- Asia is driving the metamaterial ecosystem, with China holding a strong lead in the quantity and quality of metamaterial publications and South Korea eclipsing efforts by the PRC and US in pending metamaterial patents. North America leads in market revenue, but Asia’s rapid growth will likely close the gap in coming years.