Metamaterials are innovative, man-made materials engineered to exhibit unique properties rarely found in nature. Composed of composite materials such as metals and plastics arranged in precise, repeating patterns, metamaterials derive their extraordinary capabilities from their meticulously designed structures rather than their base materials. By manipulating shape, geometry, size, orientation and arrangement, metamaterials can control incoming waves — whether blocking, absorbing, enhancing or bending them — in ways that conventional materials cannot achieve. This innovative design approach enables metamaterials to influence electromagnetic, acoustic and other types of waves, opening up new possibilities in fields ranging from optics to telecommunications. IDTechEx's report, "Metamaterials Markets 2024-2034: Optical and Radio-Frequency," offers an in-depth analysis of the evolving field of electromagnetic metamaterials. The report projects that the combined market for optical and radio-frequency metamaterials will reach US$15 billion by 2034. This article will delve into the key applications driving the expansion of the RF metamaterial market.
How big is the RF metamaterial market in 2034, and what is the killer application
RF metamaterials are engineered to interact with electromagnetic waves within the 600 MHz to 1 THz frequency range. Their potential applications span across telecommunications, security and aerospace, automotive and healthcare sectors. IDTechEx's analysis highlights key applications in each category, including reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), radar beamforming, EMI shielding and medical sensing. IDTechEx projects that the RF metamaterial market will reach US$2 billion by 2034, with RIS driving 98 percent of this growth.
What are RIS?
RIS comprises a 2D array of metasurfaces that can be dynamically adjusted to manipulate the propagation of RF waves in real-time through programmable control, enabling precise interaction with signal waves and guiding them towards intended users or receivers. These surfaces offer a cost-effective and low-power method to significantly enhance wireless communication systems' energy efficiency and spectral efficiency.
Typical RIS consists of three layers. The outer layer features numerous metallic patches printed on a dielectric substrate to interact directly with incoming waves. A copper plate acts as an intermediate layer, preventing signal energy leakage. The inner layer houses the control circuit board, which manages the adjustment of each element's reflection amplitude and phase shift. These adjustments are controlled by a smart controller attached to the RIS, utilizing components such as FPGAs, PIN diodes, resistors and other integrated circuits.
Applications of RIS in various environments
RIS can be employed across diverse environments to enhance wireless communication capabilities. For example, in base stations, RIS technology facilitates the emission of multiple beams, reducing the need for numerous antennas and increasing base station capacity by multiplexing signals from multiple users. Moreover, RIS can be installed on central beamforming towers in urban outdoor areas to precisely direct cellular signals to specific users, thereby improving signal strength and security through more focused electromagnetic radiation. Transparent RIS variants, when mounted on windows and walls, efficiently steer beams around obstacles, enhancing signal propagation. Indoors, integrating RIS into walls and ceilings improves signal coverage, eliminates dead zones, and enhances overall signal quality by redirecting beams toward users, ensuring reliable connectivity. RIS technology thus offers a versatile solution for optimizing wireless communication performance in diverse settings.
Why is RIS the killer application?
High frequency communication, such as 5G mmWave and the upcoming 6G networks, offers immense data transfer speeds and low latency but struggles with propagation over long distances and penetration through obstacles like buildings and foliage. Maintaining signal strength and quality becomes crucial for realizing the full potential of these advanced wireless technologies.
RIS emerge as a pivotal technology in overcoming these challenges. By strategically deploying RIS, it becomes possible to redirect signals around obstacles, effectively eliminating coverage gaps and enhancing signal penetration through buildings in a cost-effective and low-cost manner.
Benefits of RIS include being able to dynamically adjust signal phases and amplitudes, compensating for propagation losses over extended distances, thus improving the efficiency and reliability of signal transmission in high frequency bands.
Moreover, RIS contribute to enhancing the Signal-to-Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), thereby boosting signal strength, extending coverage range and increasing overall network throughput. Their ability to manipulate signal propagation makes them instrumental in optimizing the performance of high frequency communication networks.
In addition to their technical benefits, RIS operate with low power consumption as they require minimal active components, making them energy-efficient alternatives to traditional relay systems. Their integration into existing infrastructures, such as building surfaces, further simplifies deployment and reduces the cost of establishing robust high frequency telecommunications networks.
In conclusion, RIS represent a key enabling technology for high frequency communication in 5G and 6G networks, addressing propagation challenges and optimizing signal performance to unlock the full potential of advanced wireless technologies in terms of speed, capacity and reliability.
The "Metamaterials Markets 2024-2034: Optical and Radio-Frequency" report from IDTechEx explores eight distinct applications of optical RF metamaterials, including RIS, metalenses and radar beamforming. Based on interactions with over 15 companies, it outlines the key technologies, establishes their readiness levels and assesses the suitability of multiple competing manufacturing methods. 33 forecast lines, segmented by frequency and application, illustrate how the metamaterial market will evolve over the next 20 years.
This IDTechEx report provides the following information:
Technology and Market Analysis:
- Assessment of eight emerging and potential applications for electromagnetic metamaterials, including RIS for telecommunications, metamaterial lenses for smartphones and lidar beam steering
- Discussions of drivers and challenges for metamaterial adoption in each application
- Outlook for electromagnetic metamaterials for each of the eight applications based on detailed SWOT and Porter's Five Forces analysis
- Comparison of metamaterials with incumbent technologies where relevant
- Analysis of eight subtractive and additive manufacturing methods, including wet etching, roll-to-roll printing and extreme UV lithography
- Analysis of key trends for the manufacture of electromagnetic metamaterials
- Discussions on the suitability of each manufacturing method across various applications of electromagnetic metamaterials based on the benchmarking of methods
- Analysis of key material selection parameters.
Market Forecasts & Analysis:
- 20-year granular market forecasts by separate applications of electromagnetic metamaterials
- Assessment of technological and commercial readiness levels for different applications of electromagnetic metamaterials.