Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors
Heifer International



Home > Press > Genetic approach helps design broadband metamaterial

Overall layers of the metamaterial absorber are shown. The black layer is the substrate, solid green layer is palladium, transparent blue layer is polyimide, broken green layer is the patterned layer and the transparent blue layer is again polyimide to seal and protect.

Credit: Bossard, Penn State
Overall layers of the metamaterial absorber are shown. The black layer is the substrate, solid green layer is palladium, transparent blue layer is polyimide, broken green layer is the patterned layer and the transparent blue layer is again polyimide to seal and protect.

Credit: Bossard, Penn State

Abstract:
A specially formed material that can provide custom broadband absorption in the infrared can be identified and manufactured using "genetic algorithms," according to Penn State engineers, who say these metamaterials can shield objects from view by infrared sensors, protect instruments and be manufactured to cover a variety of wavelengths. "The metamaterial has a high absorption over broad bandwidth," said Jeremy A. Bossard, postdoctoral fellow in electrical engineering.

Genetic approach helps design broadband metamaterial

University Park, PA | Posted on May 5th, 2014

"Other screens have been developed for a narrow bandwidth, but this is the first that can cover a super-octave bandwidth in the infrared spectrum."

Having a broader bandwidth means that one material can protect against electromagnetic radiation over a wide range of wavelengths, making the material more useful. The researchers looked at silver, gold and palladium, but found that palladium provided better bandwidth coverage. This new metamaterial is actually made of layers on a silicon substrate or base. The first layer is palladium, followed by a polyimide layer. On top of this plastic layer is a palladium screen layer. The screen has elaborate, complicated cutouts -- sub wavelength geometry -- that serve to block the various wavelengths. A polyimide layer caps the whole absorber.

"As long as the properly designed pattern in the screen is much smaller than the wavelength, the material can work effectively as an absorber," said Lan Lin, graduate student in electrical engineering. "It can also absorb 90 percent of the infrared radiation that comes in at up to a 55 degree angle to the screen."

To design the necessary screen for this metamaterial, the researchers used a genetic algorithm. They described the screen pattern by a series of zeros and ones -- a chromosome -- and let the algorithm randomly select patterns to create an initial population of candidate designs. The algorithm then tested the patterns and eliminated all but the best. The best patterns were then randomly tweaked for the second generation. Again the algorithm discarded the worst and kept the best. After a number of generations the good patterns met and even exceeded the design goals. Along the way the best pattern from each generation was retained. They report their results in a recent issue of ACS Nano.

"We wouldn't be able to get an octave bandwidth coverage without the genetic algorithm," said Bossard. "In the past, researchers have tried to cover the bandwidth using multiple layers, but multiple layers were difficult to manufacture and register properly."

This evolved metamaterial can be easily manufactured because it is simply layers of metal or plastic that do not need complex alignment. The clear cap of polyimide serves to protect the screen, but also helps reduce any impedance mismatch that might occur when the wave moves from the air into the device.

"Genetic algorithms are used in electromagnetics, but we are at the forefront of using this method to design metamaterials," said Bossard.

###

Other researchers on this project included Seokho Yun, former postdoctoral fellow in electrical engineering, Liu Liu, graduate student in electrical engineering, Douglas H. Werner, McCain Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering, and Theresa Meyer, Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, all at Penn State.

The National Science Foundation supported this work.

####

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
A'ndrea Elyse Messer

814-865-9481

Copyright © Penn State

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

News and information

Chung-Ang University researchers develop novel DNA biosensor for early diagnosis of cervical cancer: The electrochemical sensor, made of a graphitic nano-onion/molybdenum disulfide nanosheet composite, detects human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 and HPV-18, with high specificity September 8th, 2023

New compound unleashes the immune system on metastases September 8th, 2023

Machine learning contributes to better quantum error correction September 8th, 2023

Tests find no free-standing nanotubes released from tire tread wear September 8th, 2023

Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy

Previously unknown pathway to batteries with high energy, low cost and long life: Newly discovered reaction mechanism overcomes rapid performance decline in lithium-sulfur batteries September 8th, 2023

Quantum powers researchers to see the unseen September 8th, 2023

Chloride ions from seawater eyed as possible lithium replacement in batteries of the future August 11th, 2023

Tattoo technique transfers gold nanopatterns onto live cells August 11th, 2023

Sensors

Electron collider on a chip June 30th, 2023

Researchers discover materials exhibiting huge magnetoresistance June 9th, 2023

Laser direct writing of Ga2O3/liquid metal-based flexible humidity sensors May 12th, 2023

Nanobiotechnology: How Nanomaterials Can Solve Biological and Medical Problems April 14th, 2023

Discoveries

Electronic detection of DNA nanoballs enables simple pathogen detection Peer-Reviewed Publication September 8th, 2023

Training quantum computers: physicists win prestigious IBM Award September 8th, 2023

Unlocking quantum potential: Harnessing high-dimensional quantum states with QDs and OAM: Generation of nearly deterministic OAM-based entangled states offers a bridge between photonic technologies for quantum advancements September 8th, 2023

Tests find no free-standing nanotubes released from tire tread wear September 8th, 2023

Materials/Metamaterials/Magnetoresistance

Ultrafast lasers for materials processing August 11th, 2023

Ribbons of graphene push the material’s potential: A new technique developed at Columbia offers a systematic evaluation of twist angle and strain in layered 2D materials August 11th, 2023

Understanding the diverse industrial applications of materials science: Materials Science A Field of Diverse Industrial Applications July 21st, 2023

A non-covalent bonding experience: Scientists discover new structures for unique hybrid materials by altering their chemical bonds July 21st, 2023

Announcements

Electronic detection of DNA nanoballs enables simple pathogen detection Peer-Reviewed Publication September 8th, 2023

Training quantum computers: physicists win prestigious IBM Award September 8th, 2023

Machine learning contributes to better quantum error correction September 8th, 2023

Tests find no free-standing nanotubes released from tire tread wear September 8th, 2023

Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters

Electronic detection of DNA nanoballs enables simple pathogen detection Peer-Reviewed Publication September 8th, 2023

Unlocking quantum potential: Harnessing high-dimensional quantum states with QDs and OAM: Generation of nearly deterministic OAM-based entangled states offers a bridge between photonic technologies for quantum advancements September 8th, 2023

Chung-Ang University researchers develop novel DNA biosensor for early diagnosis of cervical cancer: The electrochemical sensor, made of a graphitic nano-onion/molybdenum disulfide nanosheet composite, detects human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 and HPV-18, with high specificity September 8th, 2023

New compound unleashes the immune system on metastases September 8th, 2023

Military

Quantum powers researchers to see the unseen September 8th, 2023

Scientists edge toward scalable quantum simulations on a photonic chip: A system using photonics-based synthetic dimensions could be used to help explain complex natural phenomena June 30th, 2023

The picture of health: Virginia Tech researchers enhance bioimaging and sensing with quantum photonics June 30th, 2023

With new experimental method, researchers probe spin structure in 2D materials for first time: By observing spin structure in “magic-angle” graphene, a team of scientists led by Brown University researchers have found a workaround for a long-standing roadblock in the field of two May 12th, 2023

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE




  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More











ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project