Commercialising metamaterials impact project pathfinder
In partnership with the UK Metamaterials Network, we have gathered community insights and evidence on the barriers and opportunities to commercialising metamaterials for applications such as sustainability, health, defence and security. Download the report (PDF, 657KB) to read the findings and register your interest to share your views on the next stage of work.
Metamaterials are 3D structures that provide structure-derived functionality and performance spanning multiple domains and length scales. From health and sustainability to space and aviation and beyond, metamaterials have transformational potential across many applications including:
- high-resolution imaging for medical diagnosis
- low-carbon alternatives and solutions to mitigate climate change
- lightweight and strong materials for space and aerospace applications and satellite communication
To accelerate the commercialisation of metamaterials and unlock their potential for societal and economic impact, there is potential for an ambitious long-term UK vision to successfully translate discovery science into industrial applications.
About the impact project pathfinder
IOP is shaping the debate on the most important physics topics to the science and innovation community in the UK and Ireland, in order to influence and drive impact. As part of developing our ongoing programme of high-impact projects informed by community priorities, throughout 2024 we worked with the UK Metamaterials Network to build the case for action to accelerate the commercialisation of materials through this impact project pathfinder.
During the impact project pathfinder, we:
- Built evidence around the opportunities, barriers and challenges in commercialising and exploiting metamaterials.
- Sparked in-depth discussion with the community around metamaterials and the strategies that could help their commercialisation through the ‘Metamaterials in the Real World’ Industry Showcase.
- Communicated the unique opportunities and potential offered by metamaterials.
How can I get involved?
As part of this project, we are asking the community to join our discussion. You can get involved by:
- Reading the findings from the impact project pathfinder (PDF, 657KB), where the IOP in partnership with the UK Metamaterials Network, gathered evidence on the opportunities and barriers to commercialising metamaterials in the UK. The report invites the UK metamaterials academic and industrial community to share their thoughts on the potential for a next phase of this work by emailing [email protected].
- Listening to Physics World Weekly podcast, where Professor Alastair Hibbins and Dr Claire Dancer, joint leads of the UK Metamaterials Network, discuss ‘What is a metamaterial?’, the barriers and opportunities around the exploitation of metamaterial science, and the role of the UK Metamaterials Network in supporting the translation of discovery science.
- Reading a round-up of the third ‘Metamaterials in the Real World’ Annual Industry Showcase, hosted by the IOP, which took place in December 2024.
- Reading the Physics World feature “Metamaterials hit the market: how the UK Metamaterials Network is turning research into reality”.
- You can also sign up to the UK Metamaterials Network
There will be further opportunities to get involved in 2025. Please email [email protected] to register your interest.
Useful links
- Professor Sir John Pendry FRS Hon.FInstP won the IOP’s 2013 Isaac Newton Medal and Lecture winner for his seminal contributions to surface science, disordered systems and photonics. Watch the 2013 Newton Lecture.
- Metasonixx won the IOP’s 2024 Business Start-Up Award for the development of mass-produced acoustic metamaterial panels that allow airflow, enabling improvements to noise management and ventilation, and facilitating net-zero industrial ventilators and heat pumps. Read more about Metasonixx.
Find out more
If you would like to find out more about the impact project pathfinder, please email [email protected].