metamaterials

Nature Communications, Published online: 20 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74463-5 Researchers report a reconfigurable optical anti-counterfeiting tag whose microscopic fingerprint can be rewritten on demand by a droplet of volatile solvent, enabling renewable security without heat, light, or special equipment.

Nature Communications, Published online: 20 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74547-2 The authors present a material-selective hybrid metalens which produces high-efficiency performance in distinct spectral windows without geometric modification. The work establishes hybrid metsurfaces as a manufacturing-compatible alternative to bulk refractive optics.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 16 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41565-026-02197-y Optical multistability comprising three optical states is shown in a compact photonic crystal cavity, enabled by the near-exceptional coupling of high-quality-factor modes.

Nature, Published online: 17 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10638-w A new polaritonic optical method that uses the mid-infrared out-of-plane hyperbolic polaritons mode is described and experimentally validated to allow the examination of picometre-scale interlayer deformations, providing a bridge between nanomechanics and photonics.

A photonic actuator with separate mechanisms for color change and motion could enable smarter soft robots and sensors. The post Nature-inspired materials that move and change color on demand appeared first on Advanced Science News .

This record-breaking crystal can transform from mirror-like to glass-like, opening the door to tiny optical chips, AR displays, and smart contact lenses. Creating truly “invisible” wearable technology such as smart contact lenses and ultrathin augmented reality glasses will require a radical rethink of how optical devices are built. Instead of relying on conventional bulky components, [...]

Scientific Reports, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-57447-9 Machine learning–assisted design of a wideband Fe–SiO 2 –MXene metamaterial solar absorber for angle-insensitive thermal energy harvesting

A new telescope technology -- measuring just six millimeters in diameter -- could improve how future space missions study and monitor the Sun while simplifying onboard hardware and reducing costs. The technology is built from a metasurface, which is a device engineered with nanoscale structures that manipulate light in unusual ways. In tests at the Dunn Solar Telescope in New Mexico, the metasurf…

Nature Communications, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74141-6 This study presents a hybrid auxetic–elastomer platform that enables multiscale isotropic expansion in stretchable displays, minimizing global-to-local image distortion while maintaining stable performance under mechanical deformation.

A quantum metasurface breakthrough boosts terahertz detection by 20 times, bringing practical THz technology a step closer. Detecting light and radiation is essential across the electromagnetic spectrum, but some regions remain difficult to work with. One of the biggest challenges involves terahertz (THz) radiation, which sits between microwaves and infrared light. Existing detectors for these [.…

Scientists used nanoscale gold metamaterials to supercharge heat transfer across tiny gaps, achieving up to four times more energy flow than similar conventional systems. The breakthrough could lead to better chip cooling, more efficient energy technologies, and a new era of precision heat engineering.

Additively manufactured (AM) metals offer the potential for customizable, cost-effective components, but qualification and certification are crucial. Key to this process is understanding pore dynamics under stress, typically analyzed using micro-computed tomography. This study introduces laboratory-scale “betatron” x-rays from laser wakefield acceleration as a high-throughput alternative for x-ra…

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed an ultra-thin silicon material that can guide vibrations along carefully designed paths, much like roads directing traffic. The breakthrough could lead to new technologies for energy harvesting, advanced sensors, and even future computers that work without electricity. The new material belongs to a class known as metamaterials. While metamaterials […] The p…

A remarkable crystal called molybdenum oxychloride could help make futuristic technologies like smart contact lenses and ultrathin AR glasses a reality. Scientists have created the first detailed experimental map of its optical properties, revealing the strongest light-bending effect ever measured in a natural material. The crystal can act either like a reflective metal or transparent glass, allo…

Copper is one of the most important materials in modern technology, but it has a well-known weakness: over time, it reacts with air and moisture, forming a green layer of corrosion. This process can be seen on old statues, rooftops, and even copper-containing coins. Now, researchers have developed a new copper-based printing ink that could […] The post Scientists create “everlasting” copper ink t…

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous crystals that have emerged as materials of high interest due to their functionality and modularity. MOFs are designed following the principles of Reticular Chemistry: the chemistry of connecting and linking molecular building blocks, or units, via strong bonds to form periodic structures. These principles allow us to develop strategies for the…

NASA researchers have discovered a new heat-resistant material that could help future astronauts use moon rocks to build structures, produce oxygen, and support long-term missions on the lunar surface. The discovery was made at NASA Glenn Research Center by researchers studying how to process lunar soil, also known as regolith. The work could play an […] The post NASA Scientists Discover New Mate…