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

David Smith (left) and Aaron Diebold (right) demonstrate a metamaterial-based microwave imaging system that can visualize hidden structures behind walls

31 October 2025

Seeing Through Walls with Metamaterials

Imagine being able to look inside walls, to locate pipes, wires, or hidden damage, without breaking anything open. That’s the goal of a new microwave imaging system developed by Dr. Smith and Dr. Diebold at Meta group.
Using custom-engineered metamaterials, their system captures scattered microwave signals and reconstructs detailed images of structures normally hidden from view. The technology forms the foundation of Resolv, a Duke affiliated startup advancing non-destructive imaging tools for the construction and inspection industries.
This work represents a major step in translating metamaterial science from the lab to real-world applications — bringing safe, “X-ray-like” vision to the built environment. Learn more at Pratt Engineering News.

Upcoming Conferences

Latest News

  • 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

  • Anna Mannon and Initiative's board

    22 September 2025
    We officially kicked off Duke's Science and Policy to Advance Cosmic Exploration (SPACE) initiative! It was inspiring to have Anna Menon, a mission director for SpaceX and part of the crew for Polaris Dawn's five day spaceflight, as the inaugural speaker. Hearing her perspectives really underscored the unique challenges and opportunities associated with space. Two days of great discussions covering space policy, technology, industry and history, as well as the Duke Initiative's emerging role in this incredibly exciting field! Read more