MODELLING METASURFACES
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Mathematics
Abstract
This research is focused upon applying mathematical techniques to the modelling of modern materials, so-called metamaterials, in alignment to research in continuum mechanics. The ideas originate from electromagnetism, but have recently begun to be implemented in acoustics and elasticity, where there are nuances and changes in this new context. The objectives are to bring the power of mathematical ideas to bear upon the engineering and physics problems of current interest and to develop new and efficient methodologies that enable physical interpretation, and thus motivate the design, of such materials. Applications include many areas where wave energy and transport are important, since such materials can ultimately allow the control of wave propagation. Specific areas include underwater acoustics and re-direction of ground vibration.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Richard Craster (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Gregory Chaplain (Student) |
Publications
Chaplain G
(2020)
Delineating rainbow reflection and trapping with applications for energy harvesting
in New Journal of Physics
Chaplain G
(2020)
Ultrathin entirely flat Umklapp lenses
in Physical Review B
Chaplain G
(2019)
Flat lensing by graded line meta-arrays
in Physical Review B
Chaplain G
(2019)
Rayleigh-Bloch, topological edge and interface waves for structured elastic plates
in Wave Motion
Chaplain G
(2020)
Topological Rainbow Trapping for Elastic Energy Harvesting in Graded Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Systems
in Physical Review Applied
Chaplain GJ
(2020)
Tailored elastic surface to body wave Umklapp conversion.
in Nature communications
Makwana M
(2019)
Tunable three-way topological energy-splitter
in Scientific Reports
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509486/1 | 30/09/2016 | 30/03/2022 | |||
| 2016146 | Studentship | EP/N509486/1 | 30/09/2017 | 30/03/2021 | Gregory Chaplain |
| Description | We have made significant advances in the design and analysis of structured materials capable of supporting surface waves. We have developed an efficient numerical method that allows us to efficiently design and test simple one dimensional geometries in elasticity, which can be translated to arbitrary wave systems. These devices can be used to control, passively, surface waves for energy harvesting and mode conversion applications. Coupling these structures with ideas stemming from solid state physics has led to knew classes of materials with very simple constituent parts that allow the conversion of surface waves into bulk waves, which travel in the opposite direction. These allow negative refraction and flat lensing effects to be emulated by geometrically simple structures. |
| Exploitation Route | The simple design paradigms presented allow the quick characterisation for devices which can either slow surface waves or convert them in a given direction to body waves. The advantages of slowed, or trapped waves, comes in energy harvesting applications where energy can be extracted from (for example a vibrational system) to generate electricity. The wave phenomenon presented are entirely general and can be translated to any wave system. The applications of mode conversion can be used to isolate vibrations or for focussing and lensing applications using simple structures. In short the methods and physical interpretations we have unearthed allow simple structures to be built with a wide variety of applications. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Construction Electronics Energy |
| Description | EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship |
| Amount | £57,947 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2020 |
| End | 11/2021 |
| Description | eCOST travel |
| Amount | € 695 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | CA15125 |
| Organisation | European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 10/2019 |
| Description | Metasurfaces for Energy Harvesting |
| Organisation | ETH Zurich |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided theoretical predictions and simulations for manipulating wave propagation in devices capable of harvesting vibrational energy and mode conversion. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided simulations of energy harvesting effects, and experimental verifications of wave conversion effects. |
| Impact | Several published journal articles (see publications). Disciplines involved: Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Metasurfaces for Energy Harvesting |
| Organisation | Polytechnic University of Milan |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided theoretical predictions and simulations for manipulating wave propagation in devices capable of harvesting vibrational energy and mode conversion. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided simulations of energy harvesting effects, and experimental verifications of wave conversion effects. |
| Impact | Several published journal articles (see publications). Disciplines involved: Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Metasurfaces for Energy Harvesting |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided theoretical predictions and simulations for manipulating wave propagation in devices capable of harvesting vibrational energy and mode conversion. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided simulations of energy harvesting effects, and experimental verifications of wave conversion effects. |
| Impact | Several published journal articles (see publications). Disciplines involved: Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics |
| Start Year | 2018 |