Metamaterials and their applications in engineering metamaterials: classification, applications - a comprehensive review

Abstract Metamaterials are artificially engineered structures that exhibit properties not found in natural materials. This comprehensive review explores the diverse types of metamaterials and their wide-ranging applications across multiple fields. The article covers electromagnetic metamaterials and their application in superlenses, invisibility cloaks (hiding object from detection of radar par example), and advanced antennas; acoustic metamaterials for noise reduction and acoustic cloaking; mechanical metamaterials for vibration control, impact protection, and flexible electronics; and thermal metamaterials for heat management. In this article, we explore the different metamaterials, their capabilities and their importance in industry. The review also discusses various production technologies for metamaterials, including additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, and micro/nanolithography techniques. We point out new technological solutions for the production of metamaterials, highlighting additive 3D printing as a technological possibility. This becomes particularly important due to the intrinsic geometrical characteristics of metamaterials. Recent advancements in fabrication methods have expanded the possibilities for creating materials with extraordinary properties, enabling innovations in fields such as telecommunications, medical imaging, aerospace, and energy management.