metamaterials metamaterials metamaterials metamaterials metamaterials optic building blocks
metamaterials

Metamaterials

Artificial materials with unusual electromagnetic properties

Plasmonics

Plasmonics

Specific metals can offer surprising benefits for guiding and steering

Transformation Optics

Transformation Optics

A new approach to optical design, including invisibility cloaks

Commercialization

Commercialization

Introducing products or production methods into commerce

Nonlinear Metamaterials

Nonlinearity

Extending metamaterials to the nonlinear regime

Nonlinear Metamaterials

Metasurface Imager

Metasurfaces can be used as unique antennas & imaging devices

Nonlinear Metamaterials

Wireless Power

Metamaterials can play a role in wireless power transfer

Recent Papers

  • IEEEThumbnail

    Equivalence of Polarizability and Circuit Models for Waveguide-Fed Metamaterial Elements

    D. R. Smith, M. Sazegar, I. Yoo
    IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation (Early Acces), (2024)
    DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2024.3439728

  • Schematic

    Experimental characterization of a waveguide-fed varactor-tuned metamaterial element using the coupled dipole framework

    I. Yoo, D. R. Smith, M. Boyarsky
    IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters 22, 2 (2022)
    DOI: 10.1109/LAWP.2022.3213668

  • Schematic

    Design of conformal array of rectangular waveguide-fed metasurfaces

    I. Yoo, D. R. Smith
    IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation 70, 7 (2022)
    DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2022.3140822

Research Highlight

Illustration of a robotically assembled metamaterial detector in space at the Sun-Earth L2 point

14 August 2026

David Smith Selected for NASA NIAC Fellowship

Dr. Smith has been selected as a 2026 NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) fellow to pursue a new approach to long-range space situational awareness. The project explores robotically assembled, reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterials that could enable extremely large radar systems to be constructed directly in space.

The concept could provide a new way to detect and track satellites, debris, and other objects beyond low Earth orbit, while also opening possibilities for Earth observation and deep-space communications.

Read more at Duke Engineering News.

Upcoming Conferences

Latest News

  • image-of-a-beam-waveguide-antenna

    12 August 2026
    Dr. Smith’s NASA NIAC project on robotically assembled electromagnetic metamaterials for long-range space situational awareness was recently featured by Interesting Engineering. The project explores a new approach to creating large, reconfigurable radar systems in space.
    Learn more from NASA | Read the Interesting Engineering feature

  • invented-at_duke_banner

    31 October 2025
    The annual Invented at Duke event will be held on Tuesday, November 11th, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Duke’s campus. The showcase celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship across the university, featuring Duke inventors, start-ups, and campus innovation resources. Among the featured presentations, Dr. Smith and Dr. Diebold will highlight their latest wall scanner technology. Event details.

  • David Smith hlding metamaterial sample

    03 October 2025
    Duke Today published a feature story on Professor Smith’s pioneering work in metamaterials, exploring how engineered materials can bend light in unconventional ways and open the door to technologies once thought impossible. The article highlights the impact of the group’s research and the growing role of metamaterials in shaping future science and technology. Read more