Four-Dimensional Printed Shape Memory Metasurface to Memorize Absorption and Reflection Functions

Functional metasurfaces help wireless communication to reach beyond current electromagnetic control device limitations. However, current reconfigurable functional metasurfaces require separate systems for function control. In particular, it is difficult to realize millimeter-wavelength regimes due to the increasing number of active elements with the reduction in unit cell size. This paper proposes a four-dimensional printed memory metasurface to memorize absorption and reflection function in millimeter-wavelength regimes. Thus, metasurfaces with electromagnetic absorption and reflection functions can be realized through mechanical shape memory by memorizing electromagnetic properties using four-dimensional printed structures. The desired electromagnetic performance was experimentally demonstrated and deformation time to memorize the initial structure was measured. The results confirmed that the proposed four-dimensional printed metasurface has potential for considerable contribution to multifunctional wireless devices such as smart electromagnetic wave control systems in reconfigurable intelligent surface, stealth, and wireless sensing systems.

Automated summary

The study introduces a four-dimensional printed memory metasurface for absorbing and reflecting functions within the millimeter-wavelength range, utilizing electromagnetic property memory to achieve the electromagnetic performance of the metasurface. Experimental results demonstrate the potential of this metasurface to significantly contribute to reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and wireless devices.