Metamaterials Innovation Network – Launch event

www.ktn-uk.org
Dr Robert Quarshie
Head of Materials
KTN
Welcome to the Metamaterials Innovation
Network Launch Event
23 September 2020

Connecting for Positive Change
Today’s Programme:
10:00 – Welcome / Introduction to the Metamaterials Innovation Network, Dr Robert Quarshie (KTN)
10:25 – Past, present and future of metamaterials in the UK – The beginning of a new era, Prof Ian Youngs (UK Metamaterials Leadership Group)
10:40 – The EPSRC Metamaterials Network – A UK intervention to get ahead of the curve – Dr Anja Roeding (University of Exeter)
10:45 – Case Study 1: Making airborne communication antennas compact and lightweight, Dr Mike Sloan (TCS)
10:55 – Case Study 2: Metamaterials Enabling Medical Breakthroughs: Radio wave technologies towards point-of-care diagnostics, Dr Panos Kosmas (MediWise)
11:05 – Case Study 3: Indoor sound management with metamaterials, Dr Gianluca Memoli (Metasonixx)
11:15 – Case Study 4: Industrial scale-up and funding challenges for the metamaterial community, Dr James Johnstone (AMD Ltd)
11:25 – Case Study 5: Exploiting Metamaterials Research – An end user viewpoint, Prof Sajad Haq (QinetiQ)
11:35 – Role of Design: Bringing breakthrough materials technologies to market faster, John Bound (MaDE)
11:55 – Wrap up
12:00 – Lunch break
13:00 – Online networking and collaboration (Meeting Mojo)
14:30 – End

www.ktn-uk.org
Introduction to the Metamaterials Innovation
Network

Shaping our
national CompetenCy
in additive manufaCturing
Special
Interest
Group
Additive
Manufacturing
a teChnology innovation needS analySiS
ConduCted by the additive manufaCturing
SpeCial intereSt group for the
teChnology Strategy board
September 2012
• The aim of all the Innovation Networks run by KTN is to
convene people who wouldn’t normally meet, to learn,
connect and explore opportunities.
• Known previously as Special Interest Groups (SIGs),
There are currently 15 live Innovation Networks run by
KTN
• We have had 4 successful ones in Materials in the last
5 years
INNOVATION NETWORKS IN KTN
Creating Value from
Non-carbon 2D Materials
-Beyond Graphene
A state of the art review
Creating Value from Non-Carbon 2D Materials Report 2017.indd 1 22/07/2017 19:46

Objectives of this Launch Event
• To tell you more about this Innovation Network and to share our plans for
activities that may involve you
• To share with you the UK’s journey with Metamaterials research and
development and why we think we should all look forward to an exciting
future
• To seek your input and ongoing contributions to create wealth and well-being
for the UK by exploiting the opportunities metamaterials offer

What are Metamaterials
A State of the Art Review of Smart Materials
A Review of Metamaterials in the UK
December 2015
Metamaterials are engineered to exhibit
unique electromagnetic and acoustics
properties. Metamaterial designs enable
devices that achieve much higher
performance and efficiency than
conventional offerings
Artificial functional composite materials
A State of the Art Review of Smart Materials
A Review of Metamaterials in the UK
December 2015

Examples of targeted applications:
• 5G networks
• Autonomous and connected vehicles
• Telecommunication antennas
• Electromagnetic sensors like radar and lidar
• Managing sound
• Vibration damping
• Energy harvesting
• Wireless charging
Metamaterials
To grow to $10.7 billion globally
by 2030 (Pre-Covid 19)

Metamaterials
Barriers to commercialisation
• These materials are not easy to understand
• Require sizeable resources to deliver useful products
• Require skills and expertise that are difficult to find
• Require to be part of resilient supply chains
• Fundamental R&D is still needed but there exists a
large portfolio of R&D outputs to translate the
research into timely products and services
UK has excellent academic research in this field but lacks
industrial uptake from non-defence sectors

Metamaterials Innovation Network
This is a 2-year project run by KTN and supported by Innovate UK to ensure successful
commercial exploitation and technology transfer of metamaterials through brokered or
encouraged collaboration
Objectives:
1. identify and exploit commercial opportunities for metamaterials
2. build metamaterials innovation community to promote knowledge and technology transfer
3. engage product design, manufacturing technologies, investors and end-users
4. build valuable collaborations to develop metamaterials applications
5. engage investors to help deliver new metamaterials-based products

Commercialising Metamaterials
…focus on target applications
Target Sectors Types of Metamaterial
Rail Acoustic, Electromagnetic
Aerospace Electromagnetic, Antennae, Radar, Metasurfaces
Automotive / Autonomous vehicles Electromagnetic, Acoustic, Antennae , Radar, Lidar
Medical Acoustic, Tunable, Photonic, Electromagnetic
Consumer Electronics Metasurfaces, Electromagnetic
5G and Communications Metasurfaces, Antennae, Electromagnetic
Energy and Power Metasurfaces, Photonics
Construction/Built Environment Acoustic
Defence & Security Electromagnetic, Acoustic, Mechanical, Antennae,
Photonic, Radar, Lidar, Tunable, Metasurfaces
Construction/Built
Environment
(Acoustic
metamaterials)
5G/Antennae/EM Defence & Security Medical/Healthcare Transport
Consumer
Electronics/Energy
and Power

Our Commercialisation Approach
Work with the R&D base to define the value proposition
Seek market and investor validation
Support spin-outs/SMEs to scale up
Engage specialist support, e.g. IP, metrology and standards communities
Engage OEMs/End-users to learn about metamaterials and to invest in potential applications
Look out for Global Missions for export opportunities, benchmark and position the UK

Connecting for Cross-sector Collaborations
We connect with a community of over 60,000 organisations and 90,000 individuals
Materials
Chemistry
Industrial Biotechnology
Agri-Food
Health
Manufacturing
European & International
Diversity
Access to Funding & Finance
Knowledge Transfer Advisers
Design & Innovation
Emerging Technologies
Enabling Technologies
Creative & Digital
Infrastructure
Transport
Complex Systems

KTN Project Delivery Team
Darren Hill Robert QuarshieTatiana Correia Poonam Phull
Co-lead Project Manager Co-lead Events Manager
Sasha Rodrigues
Marketing Manager

KTN Cross-sector Team
Hazel Biggs – Defence & Security
Liqun Yang - Sensors
Mark Littlewood – Emerging technologies
Paul Huggett – Enabling technologies
Sven Knowles – Electronic systems
Phil Williams – Complex systems (ICT, AI, Robotics, Systems Approach)
Michelle Carter - Transport
Matt Chapman – Health application
Emma Fadlon – Access to finance/investors
John Bound – Design & Innovation

Project Governance and Steer
• Advisory Board: UK Metamaterials Leadership Group + additional members
from OEM, end user and investor communities
• Progress Review Panel: KTN Execs & Innovate UK Sponsors
• Integrity of Tasks: Peer review and contributions

We are building a network of innovators, experts, investors and endusers to work
together to shape the future for Metamaterials through innovation and investment
Life cycle &
sustainability
Engineering
& Product
design
Market /
Investment
readiness
Production/
Processing
technologies
People,
Expertise &
Knowledge
about
Metamaterials
Engaging Specialist Support: IP, Metrology, Standards, Environmental and Health & Safety impacts
In summary – ‘Call to do battle’

We look forward to you joining this journey
towards positive change using Metamaterials
Subscribe to email updates: https://ktn-uk.org/materials/
Get in touch: robert.quarshie@ktn-uk.org

Past, present and future of metamaterials
in the UK: The beginning of a new era
Professor Ian Youngs | Dstl Senior Fellow
KTN Metamaterials Leadership Group member
KTN Metamaterials Innovation Network Launch event
23 September 2020

They weren’t always called metamaterials...
IRE Transactions on
Antennas and
Propagation
(Volume: 10 , Issue: 1,
January 1962 )

1999: The birth of the term “Metamaterials”
The history of Metamaterials; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2040-8986/aa73bf/pdf
“I Never Met-a-Material I Didn’t Like!”
Dr Rodger Walser
President and CEO Metamaterials, Inc.
Dr Valerie Browning
DARPA, Defense Sciences Office (DSO)
Prof. em. Stu Wolf
Experimental Condensed Matter
Physics, University of Virginia
Dr Bill Coblenz
Technology and Manufacturing Consultant

Not just cloaking and negative index

Metamaterials – spanning many domains
Electromagnetic MM
Thermal MM
Mechanical MMAcoustic MM

Strong foundations:
Recent key UKRI
investments
Meta-Smart: Merging de novo designed biomolecules with
plasmonic metamaterials for new technologies (2019 – 2023)
Synthesizing 3D Metamaterials for RF, Microwave and THz applications
(2016 – 2021)
Software Defined Materials For Dynamic Control Of Electromagnetic
Waves (2018 – 2022)
Next Generation Metrology Driven by Nanophotonics
(2020 – 2025)
Biological metamaterials for enhanced noise control
technology (2019 – 2022)
Centre for Doctoral Training in Metamaterials (2014 – 2023)
The Physics and Technology of Photonic Metadevices and Metasystems
(2015 – 2021)
The tailored electromagnetic and acoustic materials accelerator (2017 - 2022)

Return on investment: falling behind the curve?
The US national advanced manufacturing community, MForesight,
highlighted actions necessary to ensure that metamaterials become
more broadly adopted to address practical applications and deliver
societal and economic value.
The Chinese government has funded the development of the world’s first large-scale
metamaterial fabrication facility, which has capacity to produce 100,000 m2 of
metamaterial plates annually, with projects relating to aerospace, communication,
satellite and military applications.
The UK’s Advanced Materials Leadership Council (AMLC)
recognised the strengths of UK-based research, but highlighted
that in metamaterials in general “the UK is lagging the USA and
South East Asia”.

Goal: achieving a national enterprise approach

2020: A new era for Metamaterials in the UK
EPSRC UK
Metamaterials
Network
(2021 – 2024)
KTN
Metamaterials
Innovation
Network
(2020 – 2022)
Led by the University of Exeter:
• Prof Alastair Hibbins
• Dr Anja Roeding
Led by the KTN:
• Dr Robert Quarshie
• Dr Tatiana Correia
The UK Metamaterials CommunityDEVELOP

What other support interventions would help?
METAMATERIALS
REVOLUTION:
Next generation
control of energy &
information
acoustic
electromagnetic
fluid
thermal
mechanical
quantum
Theoretical
Developments
Material
Discovery &
Modelling
Evolution in
Fabrication &
Manufacture
Atom-to-wavelengthscale
Alastair Hibbins, University of Exeter
Owen Lozman, M.Ventures (Merck), Amsterdam
Ian Youngs, Dstl
EPSRC Big Idea
Electricdevices$1250bn
Photonics$161bn
Acoustics$48bn
Global Metamaterial
Market
Zero  $10bn in 10 yrs
Global markets

The Metamaterials Revolution is Ready and
Waiting
Nurture, Develop, Exploit – The UK Metamaterials Community

The EPSRC Metamaterials Network
– A UK intervention to get ahead of the curve
KTN Metamaterials Innovation Network Launch event | 23 September 2020
Dr Anja Roeding | University of Exeter
Co-Lead of the UK EPSRC Metamaterials Network
Co-Director of the Centre for Metamaterial Research and Innovation

Network Investigators
Prof Alastair Hibbins
•Principle Investigator
•Prof. of Metamaterial Physics (Microwave and Acoustic
metamaterials)
•Director of Exeter’s Centre for Metamaterial Research and
Innovation and the EPSRC CDT in Metamaterials
•Co-Investigator of the EPSRC Prosperity Partnership ‘Tailored EM
and Acoustic Materials Accelerator’ (Exeter/QinetiQ)
Dr Anja Roeding
•Co-Investigator; Network manager
•Co-Director of Exeter’s Centre for Metamaterial Research and
Innovation (Operations and Relations) and manager of the EPSRC
Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Metamaterials
•Joint Lead of the network’s Education & Outreach Forum www.metamaterial.center

Special Interest Groups
Active
Metamaterials
Biophotonics
Applications
Flexible and
Conformal
Metasurfaces
Manufacturing
and Scale Up
Multifunctional
and Mechanical
Metamaterials
Modelling and
AI-design
Wireless and
Microwave
Applications
Forums
Early Career Researchers
• Includes PhDs
• e.g. CV building and
collaboration opportunities
Horizon Scanning
• Disruptive opportunities and
coordinate activities to
address these
Industry
• Pathways to exploitation
• Upskilling
• Advising funders
Outreach and Education
• Demonstrators, videos
• School pupils 
Undergraduates

The Network Leadership Team will convene on 22 Oct 2020
Dr Alasdair Clark,
University of Glasgow
•Senior Lecturer in Biomedical
Engineering
•Lead of Biophotonics Applications
SIG.
Prof Lee Ford,
University of Sheffield
•Professor in Electromagnetic
Structure Design
•Lead of Wireless and Microwave
Applications SIG
Prof Andrea Di Falco,
University of St Andrews
•Professor of Nanophotonics
•Lead of Flexible and Conformable
Metasurfaces SIG
Prof Fabrizio Scarpa,
University of Bristol
•Professor of Smart Materials &
Structures
•Lead of Multifunctional and
Mechanical Metamaterials SIG
Prof Clare Dancer,
University of Warwick
•Associate Professor Warwick
Manufacturing Group
•Lead of Manufacturing and scale-
up SIG
Prof David Wright,
University of Exeter
•Professor of Electronic
Engineering
•Lead of Active Metamaterials SIG
Dr Nina Meinzer,
Springer Nature
•Senior Editor Nature Physics
•Joint Lead of Horizon Scanning
Forum
Dr Anton Souslov,
University of Bath
•Lecturer (theoretical physics)
•Joint Lead of Horizon Scanning
Forum
Dr Artur Gower,
University of Sheffield
•Lecturer in Dynamics (Mechanical
Engineering)
•Lead of Early Career Researcher
Forum
Dr Arseny Alexeev,
Wave Optics
•Senior Manager, Waveguide
Development
•Joint Lead of Industry Forum
Nick Crew,
Airbus
•Chief Operating Officer for Airbus
Endeavr
•Joint Lead of Industry Forum
Dr Raphaël Assier,
University of Manchester
•Senior Lecturer in Applied
Mathematics
•Joint Lead of Education &
Outreach Forum
Dr Nicholas Grant
SRF (surface layers)
Dr Sebastian Schulz
Lecturer in Nanophotonics
Dr Claire Dancer,

Network objectives
1. Community
Building
2. Publish ‘Review’
and ‘Roadmap’
documents
3. Metamaterials
Information Hub
4. Building a Talent
Pool
5. Lobbying and
Profile Raising
6. Promoting
Metamaterial
Science and Public
Engagement
7. Towards self-
supported
sustainability
Network start: 1 March 2021
Network duration: 36 months

Dr Gianluca Memoli
University of Sussex

The Future Is Here.
Thank you.

www.natep.org.uk
Dr Michael Sloan
Director – Technical Composite Systems Ltd
KTN Metamaterials Innovation Network
Composite Baseplates for Aerospace Antennas

www.natep.org.uk2
Project background
Project partners:
Image copyright ATI

www.natep.org.uk3
Project background
Images: copyright Boeing

www.natep.org.uk4
Composite Materials – The baseplate
○ Design Challenge
○ “Metal Replacement” 6082 vs prepreg composite
○ Mechanicals, Mass, Environment, Electrical
○ Approach
○ Detailed mapping of technical requirements (antenna system)
○ Composite Material Selection – pre-preg, lightning strike protection
○ Technical and commercial review
○ Ply layups and structural calcs
○ Tooling design, manufacture, component manufacture and test

www.natep.org.uk5
Composite Materials – The test
○ Scope of lightning test
○ Mitigate lightning pick up in the event of Radome breakdown
○ Strike baseplate in same location and allow current to flow into
“airframe”
Image courtesy of Boeing.com

www.natep.org.uk6
○ Zone 1C = Ah + B + C (As defined by ED84A)

www.natep.org.uk7

www.natep.org.uk8
○ DO-160G Pass – thermal & mechanical shock, humidity, altitude, 
○ Fluid susceptibility Fungus Flammability Acidic Atmosphere 
○ Lightning Strike Zone 1C Electrical continuity 

www.natep.org.uk9 NATEP – An ATI Programme
• A metasurface structure used as a ground plane for conformal antennas to reduce the
total height
• Target percentage bandwidth >50% with low loss
• Target depth no greater than λ/12
Metamaterials and Artificial Magnetic Conductors
• Antennas tend to radiate in multiple
directions
• Some directions are not needed
• By reflecting radiation to the correct
direction, it is possible to improve radiation
efficiency/directivity
• Metal is usually used as a mirror
• Phase change on reflection for metals
requires λ/4 spacing
• An AMC will have no phase change on
reflection. Theoretically can have antenna
directly above mirror

www.natep.org.uk10 NATEP – An ATI Programme
a
AMC Design
[1] Enhanced bandwidth artificial magnetic ground plane for low-profile antennas
L. Yousefi, B. Mohajer-Iravani, and O. M. Ramahi,
• A patterned copper frequency selective
surface placed above a copper ground
plane forms a resonant reflecting boundary
• By filling the space between FSS and ground
plane with a magneto-dielectric, it is
possible to improve the bandwidth of
resonance [1]

www.natep.org.uk
Highlights of the
Project
Difficulties of the
Project
o Collaboration of a new team
with bespoke skills.
o Novel Science!
o Passing lightning test!
o Pursuing a challenge through
protected activity.
o Documenting Knowledge.
o IP Generation.
o Opportunity to engage with
aerospace community.
o Keeping design activities on
track.
o Coordinating multiple technical
teams.
o Protecting resource from
production demands
o Responding to unexpected
events/data.
o Geography – distance between
partners.

www.natep.org.uk12
Benefits To Partners
○ What were the direct benefits of undertaking this project ?
○ Any Planned Next steps –
○ Opportunity to progress concept idea into test articles/demonstrators
○ Applying skills to a new technical arena
○ Demonstrating technical capability and programmatic control
○ Raising capability profile for partners
○ Further engage with end users
○ Continue the development of the technology
○ Integration of the technology into specific applications
○ New research TCS/Exeter – 2D shrinking antennas using novel
laminates

www.natep.org.uk13
How to Contact Us…
Technical Composite Systems Ltd
Mike Sloan – Managing Director
01803 226962
msloan@technicalcompositesystems.com
www.technicalcompositesystems.com

MediWise
Metamaterials Enabling Medical Breakthroughs for Radio-Wave Technologies
towards Point-Of-Care Diagnostics
Panos Kosmas, Themos Kallos, and George Palikaras

September 23, 2020 2
META is an advanced
materials and photonics
company that is changing the
way we use, interact and
benefit from light.
MISSION: META’s mission is
to make every product
smarter and more
sustainable utilizing light and
advanced materials.
The word metamaterial comes from the
Greek word “meta”, which means “to go
beyond”.
metamaterial.com
2

Technology Platform and Capabilities
Private and Confidential © 2020 Metamaterial Inc. All Rights Reserved
META has developed proprietary tools and methods to design and manufacture nano-patterns on film for
different applications with its invented technologies:
Holography Lithography Medical Sensing

META’s Healthcare Platform
We have patented a wearable material technology (metamaterial) which allows sensors to
“see through the skin” opening up a wide range of health, wellness and medical
applications
MediWise

The MediWise Team
Role Background
Management team
Dr. George Palikaras, Founder and
CEO
Award winning entrepreneur and inventor with 17 years in
wireless/wearable sensor technology
Dr. Themos Kallos, Co-founder and
Chief Science Officer
Award-winning scientist with 15 years in metamaterials, wireless devices
Frederico Bastos, Sales and
Business Development
Experienced operator and entrepreneur with a focus on international
business development and strategy high technology businesses.
Dr. Panos Kosmas, Co-founder &
Chief Technologist
Microwave Design and Algorithm specialist with over 20 years of
experience in academia.
Dr. Nadine Geddes, Chief Human
Factors
Engineering and human factors design
Employees
Engineering team 3 members, including 2 PhDs

Why are we different: “See through the Skin”
A wearable film (metamaterial)
is applied next to the skin
The film enhances the signal
penetration through the skin
Metamaterial

What are metamaterials?
Metamaterial properties
derive from engineered “atoms”
Metamaterials are artificial nano-composite materials engineered to have properties
that have not yet been found in nature
Natural material properties
derive from atoms

Non-Invasive Blood Tests
Sense with unique
frequencies
Glucose
Cholesterol
Alcohol
Wearable Technology
Improve accuracy of existing
sensors e.g. heart rate
monitors
META-5 Solution for Vital
Signs Monitoring
Magnetic Resonance
Imaging
Increase signal to noise ratio
and hence image quality and
scan times
Radiowave Imaging
Allow penetration of waves
through body
Breast Screening
Trauma
Stroke
Implantable Sensors
Allow communication from
inside body
Radiotherapy dosimeter
Vital Signs
Food Testing
Apply testing methods to
food industry
Authentication
Quality checks
Industry & consumer
MediWise unique metamaterial technology
There is a wide range of applications for MediWise’s platform technology
Applications

A Future Vision: Chasing
the dream of the
medical tricorder
A patient-centric model partially
fuelled by affordable, compact,
and portable point-of-care
technologies.

GlucoWise
Non-Invasive Glucose Sensing

The GlucoWise Vision
• “Sense through skin” nano-
composite coating discovery
• Non-invasive dual sensor that
can measure beyond the skin –
at the capillary level
• Two pending patents with high
confidence of success in global
protection
• Low power radio-wave
technology
• Intelligent Algorithm produces
reading in 3 seconds
• Accuracy – Has potential to
surpass the glucose strip
standards (over 90%)
• Instantaneous or continuous
readings
Antennas
Metamaterial

Animal and Human Studies

Animal and Human Studies
Current Generation 4 “benchtop” system
More compact
Updated hardware
Automated clamping
Automated tuning
Automated pressure sensing
Automated temperature recording
Automated motion sensing
Improved sensitivity and specificity
Pressure sensor
RF Sensors
Skin
Thermometer

GlucoWise Metamaterial Results
Enhancing energy through the skin

• The skin blocks and reflects radio waves (impedance mismatch)
• To solve this impedance mismatch, a metamaterial antireflection coating is added
between the skin and the sensor
• The metamaterial enhances the signal penetration through the skin
• Flexible and subwavelength, l/30
Skin
Metamaterial
BloodSkin Blood

Metamaterial Metamaterial

RadioWave Imaging
Portable, Affordable Imaging for Detecting Stroke, Hematoma, Cancer

“StrokeWise” Vision (Collaboration with KCL)
META’s metamaterial technology enhances radio wave
penetration in the head, thereby increasing the possibility of
accurate stroke detection (right vs left image).
(source: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/19/24/5472/htm)
MM Unit Cell Design

“StrokeWise” Vision (Collaboration with KCL)
Tomographic Setup

“MamoWise” Vision (Collaboration with KCL)
META has teamed with King’s College London to produce
radio-wave imaging breast images (top row) with resolution
that captures MRI-produced diagnostic information (bottom)
source: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7873239

MRI
Metasurface to Enhance SNR

Problem
MRI may be considered the safest and most informative method of examination of internal organs of humans
however it is capital intensive and scan time can be very long with some exams lasting as long as 1 hour this:
• Limits the accessibility to MRI services to patients in capital restrained public health systems
• Limits the ROI of assets in private health systems
• Provides for a poor patient experience as MRI scanners are claustrophobic and noisy
MRI is a capital intensive diagnostic imaging tool of which scans take a long time therefore limiting
patient access to services and provider’s ROI on assets
In the NHS (UK)
• 158k people were waiting for an MRI scan
• 20% increase in 12 months
• 2.4m MRI tests were carried out in the last 12
months
• 13% increase on prior year
Source: NHS Waiting Time & Activity Report Feb 2014

The “MagneWise” solution
MagneWise is a unique and proprietary invention that has
potential to increase the productivity of an MRI suite by at
least 25%
• Increase signal to noise ratio (SNR), a key metric
that determines the quality and/or duration of an
MRI scanner by 2-3X
• Estimate that it will halve scan time making MRI
suites 25% more productive*
• Pad that is placed next to the patient in existing
or new MRI scanners
• Currently tested in 1.5T MRI scanner, can also be
developed for 3.0 and 7.0 scanners to advance
research
• Imminent patent application for metamaterial
technology with high confidence of success in
protection
• Passive device that is expected to be a Class I
device for regulatory approval
* Assuming scan time represents 50% of a patient appointment

The “MagneWise” Solution
META Prototype MRI Scans
RawdataBmpimages
Metasurface OFF Power Optimized Metasurface ON

How We Got Here
✓ Precise design of the nano-structures in the
metamaterial thin-films which enable the radio-
waves to pass through the skin
✓ Expertise in the development of sensing and
imaging devices (antenna design, PCB and
sensor integration) that can incorporate the
metamaterial designs to outer-perform state of
the art
✓ Proprietary algorithms to translate raw data
into accurate readings or images that are
delivered to user interfaces
• Expertise in designing
Metamaterials for various
applications
• Experience in developing patents
around key technologies
• World-leading expertise in data
processing, sensing and in
imaging algorithms
• 5 PhDs
• ~20+ person years input to date
• Support from leading UK
universities in the field

Thank You!!

Indoor sound
management with
metamaterials Giving to our customers unprecedented control
on sound and noise

OUTLINE
• Acoustic metamaterials
• The problem
• The role of Metasonixx
• A feasibility funded by UKRI

WHAT ARE ACOUSTIC
METAMATERIALS?

4
ACOUSTIC METAMATERIALS?
• Acoustic metamaterials are devices
engineered to modify the sound that
hits them or goes through them

5
Schroeder diffusers
Musical instruments Absorbing materials

6
Keywords:
1. Manipulate
2. Waves
3. Elements
4. Sub-wavelength
Source:

7
Keywords:
1. Manipulate
2. Waves
3. Elements
4. Sub-wavelength
Source:

8
• They are made of constitutive parts
which are smaller than the
wavelength, called “unit cells”
Y. Li (2014)
S Liang (2018)
Lemoult (2011)
Whatever the shape, just 16 “bricks” are needed

9
Noise Cancellation Sound Manipulation
An emerging technology currently transitioning to commercial usage.
ACOUSTIC METAMATERIALS

10
SonoBlindTM
MetasonicsTM
Metasonixx has exclusive commercialisation rights on 4 patents.
AT METASONIXX…

11
THE PROBLEM
Noise and heat management at the same time

12
A WARM SUMMER DAY…
Copyright: Metasonixx Ltd. @2020

13
• At least 40% of the population in Europe is exposed, at home or at work, to
noise levels that are below the threshold for legal action, but sufficient to
cause annoyance and stress.
• A key benefit would be the power of shutting noise off when desired.
…WITH NOISE OUTSIDE

14
HEAT AND NOISE MANAGEMENT
Open offices Schools
“Meeting the competing demands of sound insulation and ventilation has been one of
the challenges faced by practitioners for many years".
(UK Acoustics & Noise Consultants, January 2020)

16
• Metasonixx is looking for investors to back
a blind for sound
• A blind that allows air and light through, if
desired, but blocks noise.
SONOBLINDTM

17
Noise & thermal management
As a grid
As a trickle vent
SONOBLINDTM

18
In open offices
SONOBLINDTM
An example of performance

19
MARKET COMPETITION
High airflowLow airflow
High noise reduction
Low noise reduction
HUECK
DUCO
Trickle ventsFull windows
EilenburgerSIMON ACOUSTICS
Double glazing
Triple glazing
SONOBLIND
Rockwool panel
Analysis for road
traffic noise
Acoustic blinds & panels
SoundLiteTM
Acoustic curtains

21
NOISE IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS
Source: a London ICU
Recommended (WHO)
35 dBA 30 dBA 65 dBA 60 dBA
Actual pre-pandemic

22
Recommended (WHO)
Actual pre-pandemic
73 dBA 68 dBA
Estimated with 10 ventilators (WHO)
Feasibility funded by:
NOISE IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS
HOSPITAL WARDS

23
Recommended (WHO)
Actual pre-pandemic
73 dBA 68 dBA
NOISE IN HOSPITAL WARDS

24
Recommended (WHO)
Actual pre-pandemic
73 dBA 68 dBA
NOISE IN HOSPITAL WARDS
Metasonixx

25
• Closed on one side (no air through)
• Broadband
• Operates over 3 octaves
• 9 kg/m2 (1’’ thick)
HALFWAY THROUGH THE PROJECT

• Open on both sides (50% air through)
• Currently focused on alarms
• 7 kg/m2 (1’’ thick)
WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW?

GET IN TOUCH
Send me a message or visit us
C/O University of Sussex
Falmer
Brighton, UK
g.memoli@metasonixx.co.uk
- Making a metamaterial is nowadays a design challenge
- As a start-up, we see different companies starting to use the term
“metamaterials” to describe their products BUT still difficult to get investment
- This network is very timely

Keywords:
1. Sensors (inspections)
2. Noise (management)
3. Directing (sound)
Source:
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THEM?

1
Considerations of Scale-up and
commercialisation of Metamaterials
& Meta-surfaces
Dr James Johnstone – Chief Operating Officer

AMD are leaders in cutting-edge Materials Science, collaborating with exceptional university
nanotechnology specialists, to develop and commercialise unique solutions for industrial,
societal and environmental applications.
Our solutions are based on AMD’s platform technologies - liquid processing of nanomaterials
(nHance) and polymeric ‘photonic crystal’ processing (nLight). These technologies enable the
team to develop a variety of applications that share common background physics and
chemistry which in turn leads to extraordinary innovation and adaptability.
Invent Collaborate Develop
Platform nanomaterial and
photonic crystal technologies
Solution applications from market pull
and strategic partner funding
Market entry via strategic partners –
proliferation with licensing
World-Scale Challenges. Nano-Scale Solutions
INTRODUCTION TO AMD

Why do you want to scale?
Assumptions:
• You have created something, or have access to the IP.
• You have some identified applications in mind
• You have some end clients in mind
• You have seen the opportunity to commercialise and make money
Scaling takes time, effort and money – lots of it
You might want to consider partnering with experts
3

4
So you want to
scale, what do you
need to consider
commercially?
Is the
innovation a
platform
technology?
Deployment
modalities/form
factors
What’s the
likely volume
of user
demand
Identify the
value
proposition
for each
deployment
Meta-business
case (benefits
for the clients-
client)
Costs, prices and
competition at
different scaling
models
How do I make
it?
Where can it
be protected?

Manufacturing Strategies
• Mix and match discreet and continuous
production scales
• Know the engineering limits and potential
material defects of each process
• Economies of Scale - High value-low
volume vs High volume-low value
• Identify industrially relevant scaling
routes/organisations
• At what point do you realise value?
• Multiple fabrication steps adds costs and
complexity
• Techniques which offer parallelism have
advantages
• Large working volumes, fast steps & slow
steps
5
Macro (cm/mm) Micro Meso Nano
‘Bottom up’‘Top Down’
Speed of diffusion/
ordering

• Scale up processes for making nanodispersions and
photocurable inks
• Ceramics, 2d materials, polymer lattices,
• Photopolymers for SLA, DMP, CLIP etc.
• Functionalisation of particles
• Sintering, extrusion, foam extrusion, aerogel
solvent exchange, spray drying, sol-gel templated
synthesis, super critical drying
• Curing steps – allowing or inducing fast self
assembly (ordering) processes
• Larger volumes – larger equipment
• Mass/Energy transport
• Errors over the length range
• Reproducibility/Homogeneity -
• Modelling of processes
• Striving towards continuous manufacture to lower
costs
Base Materials
Created Structures
Post Processing
6
Scaling meta-materials from a technical perspective

Scaling meta-surfaces from
a technical perspective
• Solution Processing and /or vacuum processing materials
• The compatibility in the order of processes
• XY Patterning or Z layering techniques
• Identify any gaps in manufacturing processes
• May require invention of a new process…..significant extra cost
• Work with the equipment manufacturers
• Large range of processes available (additive and subtractive);
• 2d Printing, vacuum deposition, nanoimprinting, etching, mask
evaporation, laser micromachining/curing, hot foil stamping, e-beam
lithography, selective plasma etching, microcontact printing,
electroless plating, Atomic Layer Deposition
• Extrusion techniques - 3d Printing, foams, electrospinning,
micromolding, slot-die coating etc…. 7

Some interesting processes form the meta
material perspective
• Pushing engineering scales to the limit and
beyond
• Extreme UV Interference lithography
• Super resolution 2 photon 3d printing
• Super/electrostatic inkjet technology
• Nanoimprint Lithography
• Molecular Self-Assembly (Langmuir transfer films,
CVD, MBE, ALD)
• Multibeam laser manufacturing
• Residual challenge of measurement,
characterisation, quality control metrics 8

Late stage manufacturing steps that are often
overlooked
9
Finishing and Conversion
processes
•Lamination, bonding, slitting, laser
machining, encapsulation,
packaging/interconnects
Integration into sub-systems
– other electronics etc.
•Connectors, enclosures
•Robotic assembly
Testing & trials,
Conformance and
Certification
Product Standards & Regulation

Funding and partnering for Manufacture & Scale-up
• Many options – Private and public routes
• Start a new company – fund through equity investment and de-risk
with grants
• Build upon existing ventures – direct internal investment/crowd
funding
• Seek partners who do some of the manufacturing steps – in
exchange for royalties etc
• Have you adequately protected your IP? Makes life easier.
• What level of commitment is required?
• Develop, package & licence
• In it for ‘long haul’
• Individual risk profile & circumstance
• Access to talent
• Capability and Competence
• Physical access to equipment
• Lead times for materials
• Modifications needed
• Skills
10
• Don’t underestimate transferring a process
workflow to another organisation
• You might need to rethink the fabrication
methodologies again
• Focus vs portfolio risks
• Key is to build good business relationship
• How can you financially de-risk this?

Public Funding and Infrastructure
• UKRI – InnovateUK
• ISCF Themes – Made Smarter, Faraday, etc.
• SMART
• DSTL – DASA Rapid Impact, Themed Calls.
• European Commission
• Not a closed book to the UK – much expertise resides in
Europe
• Cluster 4 activities in Horizon Europe (2021+)
• Eureka Schemes – Eurostars, Penta, Euripides
• Digital Innovation Hubs – Cascade Funding
• Scale-up infrastructures (RTO) – HVM & CSA
Catapults, The Royce Institute, Universities, private
consultancies – building on years of investment
11

AMD’s involvement in Metamaterials & Metasurfaces
• Experience in production and the functionalisation
of 2d materials for a variety of applications
• We have also developed internally structured
coatings
• Applications in UHF, microwave and optical regions
• Expertise in ink formulation & self-assembly films
• Developing novel self-assembled photonic crystals
(Courtesy of Surrey University)
• We seek commercial End Users and partners to
develop new applications and upscaled solutions.
12

13
Thank – you!
Contact: james@amdnano.com
Phone: +44 (0)7399 607625
Website:
Https://www.amdnano.com

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
Sajad Haq
Launch event
23 Sept 2020
QINETIQ/20/03478
Exploiting Metamaterials Research - An End User Viewpoint

IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
1. Introduction to QQ
2. Metamaterials
3. Experiences, pitfalls and solutions
4. Recent case study

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE3
QinetiQ was formed in July 2001, when the Ministry of Defence (MOD) split its Defence Evaluation
and Research Agency (DERA) in two. DERA, was rebranded Dstl (Defence Science & Technology
Laboratory
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

5

Are metamaterials different from any other materials?
EBG, HIS, FSS, RSS, Artificial dielectrics, artificial magnetics, PBGs, AMCs, AISs,
AGPs…
Span acoustics, RF, optics, electro-optics, mechanical/structural, thermal….
Relevant across multiple markets and sectors…medical, food, oil and gas, comms,
energy, space …
6
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

Some products
7
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

Spiral metamaterial
resonator
Multi-layered structures
Subwavelength structure
For broadband (5-25 GHz) transmission
Surface wave cloak using
metasurface
Multiband
metamaterial
Lens for 5G
steerable applications
200mm
200mm
Wireless data/power transmission
Secure comms
IoT technologies
R&D programme/partnerships Application areas of future interest
RFID tag
WiPPR Wind Profiling Portable RADAR
Conformal antenna
8
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

Acoustic device with
negative bulk modulus
and negative mass
Hole arrays above untextured ground
plane
Coupling of acoustic models
Modal analysis of singularly negative
metamaterial
Vibration damping
Anti-sonar
Novel integrated sensors
Dream Chaser
IBDM
Shoulder-Worn
Acoustic Targeting
System
9
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

THz; non-invasive, near-field terahertz
imaging via single pixel detectors
Infrared absorption by coupled surface plasmon
modes in an ultra-thin metamaterial
-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60
2000
4000
TMTE
angle (degrees)Energy(cm
-1
)
Gallium Phase Change for Resonance Tuning in
Photonic NanostructuresSwitchable IR metamaterial
Chem/bio sensors
Energy harvesting
Multispectral imaging
Stand off detection system
Active/passive thermal targets
Beacons
10
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

How to deal with the diversity ?
• Hedge your bets?
• Agility
• Understand the landscape
• Understand your risk profile
• Be entrepreneurial-create opportunities
Where/when is intervention required?
What will it achieve?
What will that be?
What are the new trends, and the new products?
Timing !
InterventionIntervention
11
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

There is a limited market for materials per se
-They need to realise value as part of a larger system
To understand their role requires close collaboration and co-development
-The largest costs are not the materials themselves, or their low TRL
development
-Integration, compatibility, overall system architecture
What do metamaterials give you?
-design freedom that WILL If managed correctly lead to improved products across
multiple sectors
What’s needed-
-”better/different” collaboration across all the actors-e.g. timing, TRLs…
-more realistic expectations, e.g. IP ownership, licensing deals
-the barriers to exploitation are only part technical
-scale-up?
-benchmarking?
-standards?
-reliability?
-costs?
“Architectural Innovation”
12
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

“Isotropic Systems’ transformational technology will
enable the first low-cost, fully electronic tracking terminal
that can deliver satellite broadband to markets previously
unable to afford HTS connectivity.
Together, Isotropic Systems and QinetiQ conducted an extensive material
selection process for the beam forming technology in order to achieve a
low cost and highly productive manufacturing approach suitable for mass-
markets such as consumer broadband and advanced enterprise services
such as aero connectivity. The advanced beam forming design allows
Isotropic Systems to create advanced solutions that can achieve high
satellite gain to support various frequencies for a range of applications,
particularly those in challenging or mobility environments. In this next
phase, Isotropic Systems and QinetiQ plan to mutually invest in further
designs applicable to the entire space ecosystem”
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

HOW TO WORK WITH QINETIQ
- Shared access to test and evaluation facilities
- Case studies aligned to product development roadmaps
- ”Safe” and innovative environment to trial ideas
- Help to scope out requirements
- Help to scope out a business case
- Funding direct and indirect –across TR1-9
- Revenue share/gain share
- Routes to market /exploitation paths
- Product testing in real environments
- An integrated supply chain,
- Standards, certification etc.
- Technology insertion at the correct level/TRL with appropriate value proposition
Flexibility to deal with all business models
-spin-in, spin-out, co-development, co-funding, licensing, JVs………..
14
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

Thanks to:
15
QINETIQ PROPRIETARY

chemistry nuclear aerospace medical consumer packaging fashion craft sculpture
properties
process
performance
safety
selection
manufacture
function
form
style
culture
emotion
narrative
DISCOVERY
INVENTION
CREATION
MATERIALS
SCIENTISTS
& ENGINEERS
DESIGNERS
& MAKERS

Royal College of Art materials & design bicycle summer school

Jaguar Landrover end of life project

Metamaterials Innovation Network – Launch event

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