10173244Twist to Tune: Passive Metasurfaces for Future TelecomsClosedFast Start ResponseInnovate UKThis project will develop and demonstrate a novel class of **passive, reconfigurable metasurfaces** that provide energy-efficient alternatives to active components used in radio-frequency (RF) signal processing. These metasurfaces manipulate how electromagnetic waves behave through characteristics such as their phase, delay, and direction by physically rotating patterned layers of silicon. Unlike conventional RF components that rely heavily on power, electronics, or software for tuning, our design achieves signal control through passive mechanical adjustment, offering a highly energy-efficient solution that can also complement conventional systems where needed. Our approach is based on **Moiré-patterned silicon superlattices** which are thin, micro-structured wafers with subwavelength holes arranged in periodic patterns. When two of these wafers are stacked and twisted at specific angles, the resulting Moiré pattern causes changes in the RF signal passing through. These changes can be used for real-time tuning of delay lines, filters, and other critical signal-processing functions, all without generating electrical noise or heat. Over the course of the project, we will fabricate and test a demonstrator that shows how this mechanically actuated metasurface can dynamically control RF signals across frequencies relevant to satellite and telecoms applications. We will also benchmark performance against traditional active solutions, file a UK patent to protect our innovation, and prepare the foundation for future collaboration with industry partners. This work aligns with the UK's strategic goals in **Future Telecoms**, **Semiconductors**, and **low-carbon infrastructure**, by providing a scalable, sustainable platform for signal control that does not rely on energy-intensive electronics. The potential applications range from 5G and satellite communications to battery-free sensors and quantum-secure networks. The project is led by QuJiT Ltd., a UK-based deep-tech SME developing advanced functional materials and RF components. Our aim is to accelerate innovation in reconfigurable telecoms hardware, reduce the energy footprint of RF infrastructure, and enable new system designs that are both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.